Initial Teacher Education Info night a hit with prospective teachers
November 3, 2011
SPECIAL TO OISE
The auditorium of the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) at the University of Toronto was packed with 400 excited prospective teacher candidates, eager to learn everything there is to know about becoming a teacher, about OISE and its teacher education programs at OISE's Thinking about becoming a teacher? Let's talk! Teacher Education Information Night on November 2.
The audience listened intently as OISE registrar Don MacMillan and Initial Teacher Education director Kathy Broad welcomed them to the session. Don and Kathy described in detail how OISE prepares teacher candidates to become highly effective and skilled professional teachers who continue to learn and develop expertise through reflective inquiry and practice, taking the audience through OISE’s four program pathways: the Consecutive and Concurrent undergraduate programs, the Master of Arts in Child Study and Education and the Master of Teaching programs. The speakers inspired the crowd to a sense of excitement and pride in their chosen vocation as they spoke of the next steps in their educational journey. “For students who choose to apply to OISE and pursue a career as an educator,” Kathy Broad noted, “it will be an experience where you will think, learn and question every day.”
Following the opening remarks in the auditorium the prospective teacher candidates flocked to sessions that featured specifics about the major areas within the programs, including: B.Ed. Elementary (Primary/Junior & Junior/Intermediate) and Secondary (Intermediate/Senior); the B.Ed. and Diploma in Technological Education; the Concurrent Teacher Education program (5 year); the Master of Arts in Child Study and Education (2-year graduate program); and the Master of Teaching (2-year graduate program)
Many of the attendees explained that OISE’s reputation for excellence, equity, diversity and sustainability in all of its programs, as well as OISE’s central location in the vibrant, multicultural City of Toronto all played a role in their decision to apply. Prospective teacher candidate Kelly Bond asserted, “Before this information evening, I made the decision to apply to OISE because of the positive experience that my colleagues experienced in their time at OISE." "I’ve just heard such great things about the school and will definitely be applying here,” she added.
The deadline for application to OISE teacher education programs is December 1. For more information visit the Registrar's Office website.