Elementary Initial Teacher Education: Central Option, 2009 – 2010

The Central Option offers a field-linked program in which teacher candidates examine the role of the teacher in promoting learning with young children. You will learn effective educational practices through professional readings, seminars, field trips, online conferences, interactive demonstrations and school experiences in downtown classrooms. In the academic portion of the program you will examine the teaching and integration of language arts, social studies, mathematics, science, technology, physical education and the arts. Lesson and unit planning, assessment, educational law, special education, equity and diversity, and classroom management will be studied in the Teacher Education Seminar. In our partner schools, you will gain hands-on practice under the supervision of experienced teachers. By integrating theory and practice, you will develop both confidence and competence as a Primary/Junior instructor.

Program: Central Option classes are held in the OISE building located at 252 Bloor Street West. The building is directly accessible from the St. George subway station at the intersection of the two major subway lines.

Practicum Experiences: The Central Option partners with schools in the Toronto District School Board and the Toronto Catholic District School Board. Field experiences are based on a mentoring model that links each teacher candidate with an experienced instructor. Partner schools in the Central Option provide rich experiences that reflect the diversity of students in a downtown urban setting.

Major Projects: In the Inquiry Project, participants in Central Option are given the opportunity to conduct Action Research/Inquiry on a self-selected topic. You will observe and investigate a classroom practice, program procedure or an issue related to the school culture. You will gather and present data to help validate your assumptions and inform future teaching practice.

Special Foci:

The Central Option examines issues relevant to primary-junior level education, particularly the integration of curriculum areas. The role of children’s literature is featured throughout our program.
The Central Option examines issues in social justice, diversity and equity.
Candidates will be provided with opportunities to reflect on practice through portfolio building.
Several presentations by teachers in the field and guest university instructors are a feature of the Central Option.
Participants will have opportunities for exploring meaningful practice in Conflict Resolution.