TDSB Toronto East P/J Cohort @ Gateway Public School (P/J)
About the TDSB Toronto East P/J Cohort @ Gateway Public School (Primary/Junior)
The MT program is partnering with TDSB’s Gateway Public School to offer a school-based teacher education option for MT candidates in the P/J division. The focus of the MT-TDSB P/J cohort is to provide teacher candidates with an opportunity to be part of a school community over two semesters (year 1) and learn how school staff and students work intentionally to enact commitments to access, inclusion and high expectations for all. Located at Gateway (Don Mills Rd & Overview Blvd), the school site is accessible by TTC only (no parking on school site).
Gateway Public School is an inner-city, JK to grade 6, school serving a large, diverse student population in the vibrant neighbourhood of Flemingdon Park. Gateway celebrates and is dedicated to promoting student success in an inclusive and respectful environment.
Gateway is a large school…with a small school atmosphere
Mission:
The Gateway staff hold high expectations for the achievement and the conduct of their students based on the key components of mutual respect, responsibility, safety, and commitment to the betterment of self and the broader community.
Gateway P.S. Cohort Information
- Teacher candidates in the Gateway school-cohort attend one day of class at this school and four days on site at OISE, from September to April in Year 1. This cohort has the same number of required courses, electives, and practicum blocks as other P/J students in the MT program, with the key difference being that two of the courses typically held at OISE are held at Gateway Public School (JK-grade 6).
- As part of this school-cohort teacher candidates will also have the opportunity to:
- Engage in classroom observations as part of the two courses held at the school site which provides an opportunity to connect theory to practice.
- Have workshops and presentations led by Gateway and/or TDSB teachers, staff, students, and administrators.
- Connect to the school’s improvement plan through the cohort’s school-based courses to promote a reciprocal experiential learning opportunity. This will require teacher candidates in this option to have a cleared Vulnerable Sector police check PRIOR to the first day of TDSB classes (i.e., Tuesday after Labour Day)
- Be considered for a practicum placement at Gateway (note: entry into this cohort does not guarantee a practicum placement at Gateway as this depends on Associate Teacher availability each year). Depending on Associate Teacher availability/preferences, collaborative placements may be considered.
- For 2026-27, the MT timetable does not support teacher candidates in Black Future Educators’ Pathway (BFEP) to also participate in this TDSB PJ Cohort
The Gateway school-cohort provides P/J teacher candidates with the opportunity to:
1. Have additional school-based experiential learning beyond their practicum placements as part of the two courses offered at the school site.
2. Learn to connect school context as a key aspect of planning and delivering effective learning opportunities to a range of learners
3. Be connected to a community of inquiry that considers school context and school data as part of the theoretical learning about instructional design, effective assessment practices and practitioner inquiry.
There will be an information session held as part of the “MT June Jump-Start” event where P/J candidates can learn more about the cohort and ask questions. Following this session, all incoming P/J teacher candidates will receive a link to a form to determine their interest in the P/J school cohorts.
Applicants will be notified in August about their cohort assignment.
Questions?
Questions about the Gateway Public School cohort can be directed to Dr. Kim Jensen (MT Program Coordinator) at kim.jensen@utoronto.ca
Questions about general MT inquiries can be sent to mtinfo@utoronto.ca
