Teacher Education Brochure 2023 - Lakehead University

A leader in concurrent education – complete two degrees at the same time.

lakeheadu.ca/education

EDUCATION TEACHER

50+ School Board partners for student teaching placements across Ontario and International placements that provide unique learning opportunities.

WELCOME TO THE FACULTY OF Leading

EDUCATION

One of Lakehead University’s most unique and innovative Faculties that works to prepare prospective teachers, to develop the abilities of professional educators, and to create novel knowledge through research. By collaborating with Education faculty, you will have the opportunity to begin a rewarding career as a teacher; to advance your professional abilities and add additional qualifications to your teaching certificate; and to explore Education through original research.

EXCEPTIONAL ALUMNI, UNCONVENTIONAL CAREERS

Chris Dube BEd ‘05, MEd ‘09, Teacher, Lake Superior High School

“The programs at Lakehead helped me develop the necessary knowledge and skills to create a multi-credit Outdoor Experiential Science high school program at Lake Superior High School in Terrace Bay. The leadership and communication skills I developed at Lakehead have allowed me to create our regional surf event, Waasaashkaa, as well as be an effective member of our Town Council.”

THE LAKEHEAD DIFFERENCE

Students from around the world choose to study at Lakehead University and pursue the Concurrent Education program for many reasons, including:

EXPLORE YOUR PATH

IN EDUCATION AT LAKEHEAD UNIVERSITY

DIVERSE COURSE OFFERINGS

The Faculty of Education offers a full complement of theoretical and practical teacher education courses. We offer multiple electives in teaching Kindergarten, religious education, teaching in isolated communities, teaching internationally, outdoor education, multicultural education, drama, music, and many others; along with a wide range of teachables in the Intermediate / Senior division. We also offer an enhanced focus on topics including children’s rights, systemic violence, environmental education, literacy and numeracy, international education, and teacher mentoring.

ACCLAIMED FACULTY WITH SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE

Our dynamic faculty members have specialized knowledge in a wide variety of educational fields, and have active research agendas in areas including early literacy and numeracy, large-scale testing and evaluation, Indigenous education in a Canadian context, environmental education, and math and science education. We also have a vibrant research culture where faculty and graduate students are keen to share their research.

EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING

All students participate in student-teaching placements to observe effective teaching, apply instructional approaches in classroom settings, and be guided and supported by an Associate Teacher. The teaching placements are central to our program, and our Education program offers 105 days of experience in classrooms over a two-year period. There are also additional opportunities for in-school experiences through other courses.

SMALL CLASS SIZES & PERSONAL CAMPUS ENVIRONMENT

Our small class sizes ensure you are comfortable in your learning environment and receive individualized attention from professors who know your name. Our Thunder Bay and Orillia campuses are walking-friendly with year-round opportunities for recreation.

YOUR DEGREE TIMELINE

A QUICK GUIDE TO HELP PLAN YOUR FUTURE

YEAR FIVE

YEAR ONE

Begin the first year of your undergraduate degree (i.e. Biology, French, etc.) by taking the required courses as listed in the Lakehead University Academic Course Calendar.

Along with your major courses, you will also take Introduction to Education.

YEAR THREE

Continue taking required courses for your major. Intermediate/Senior education students will continue taking courses to fulfill your second teachable. You will also take one elective Education Course (i.e. Technology and Digital Learning, Promoting Mental Health and Wellness)

The professional years of your education degree focus on teaching curriculum and instruction courses that will prepare you to teach specific subjects and learners.

These division-specific courses will help you to teach the required curriculum and to advance your teaching abilities in a wide-range of subjects (P/J) or in your teachable areas (I/S).

You will also begin student teaching placements - you will complete one 30-day placement in November/December, and a 25-day placement in March/April.

YEARS 1-4 YEARS 5-6

YEAR TWO

Continue taking required courses for your major. If you are enrolled in Intermediate/ Senior education, begin taking courses to fulfill your second teachable.

You will also take Introduction to Teaching which includes your first classroom placement (35 hours).

YEAR FOUR

Complete all requirements for your major degree. You will not be taking any education courses this year unless you have an open elective.

Intermediate/Senior education students should ensure that they have met all requirements to fulfill their second teachable.

YEAR SIX

You will continue taking courses in curriculum and instruction, in addition to elective courses in areas of interest. Your final two 25-day placements will commence in November and March, bringing your 6-year placement time to 105 days.

As a 6th year professional education student, you may choose to complete your final 25-day placement across the country, abroad, in a remote community or an nonschool setting such as outdoor centers or museums. These options are available to those seeking to gain experience with diverse groups of learners, or in different educational settings.

YOUR PROFESSIONAL YEARS

STUDENT TEACHING PLACEMENTS

Your four teaching placements will put you at the front of the classroom teaching students in the grades and subject areas in which you have specialized. This provides you with the opportunity to develop your skills as a teacher and apply educational theory in a variety of educational situations.

EDUCATION JOB FAIRS

As you near the end of your program, Lakehead provides you with several opportunities to network with School Boards and International Placement Agencies at our job fairs. Find the career that fits your teaching and lifestyle by navigating the many options available!

A DEGREE IN EDUCATION PREPARES YOU FOR DIVERSE EMPLOYMENT OPTIONS.

Lakehead University graduates work as teachers in schools throughout Ontario, in provinces and territories across Canada, in remote fly-in communities, and in countries around the world.

Our program prepares you for classroom teaching in public, private, or alternative school settings.

Don’t let them be typical. Your university years will define the rest of your life.

HEAR FROM OUR STUDENTS

Why did you choose Lakehead University?

When I went to the campus, it felt like home. I liked how the campus was surrounded by trees and trails, the buildings were new and fresh and bright , and I found that when I looked at the students working, they all looked relaxed and genuinely happy to be there.

What is your favourite thing about Lakehead?

My favourite thing about Lakehead is the community, whether that is the community within the residence, the community in a classroom, in the library, or through extracurriculars. Anywhere you go on campus, you’ll find yourself talking to a new friendly face, and I believe that’s rare to find.

Your Teaching Career Starts at Lakehead

TEACHING LEVELS & SUBJECTS

As an Education student, depending on the program you are concurrently studying, you will select a teaching level that will enable you to be certified to teach specific grades in the classroom.

The following teaching levels are offered:

Primary/Junior: Preparing you for a career teaching students in Kindergarten to Grade 6.

Campus Offered: Thunder Bay or Orillia

Intermediate/Senior: Preparing you for a career teaching students in Grades 7-12.

Campus Offered: Thunder Bay and Orillia (check the academic calendar for teachable subjects that are offered)

At the Intermediate/Senior level, you will select two teaching areas from the following subjects. One will be your First teachable and the other being your Second teachable.

• English

• Environmental Science

• First Nations, Metis, and Inuit Studies

• French (as a second language)

• Geography

• Health & Physical Education

• History

• An Indigenous Language (Algonquin, Cree, Ojibwe, or Oji-Cree)

• Mathematics

• Music (Instrumental or Voice)

• Science - General, Biology, Chemistry, Physics

• Social Sciences (only available as a secondary teachable)

• Visual Arts

Ashley McLetchie

Student - 5th year Concurrent Education- (2024)