Experiential, meaningful and purposeful

New partnership with Queen’s University to transform how children are educated

In the spring, Pickering College announced an innovative partnership with Queen’s University to offer a new postgraduate certificate for educators. The mission of the Post Graduate Certificate in Experiential Education and Global Leadership is to empower teachers to extend their teaching practices outside of the classroom into real-world contexts, so every student’s learning experience is holistic, purpose-driven, and ignites wonder, passion and curiosity.

The goal is for every student to have the ability and responsibility to make the world greater, better and more beautiful than they found it, just as Pickering College students have aspired to for generations.

“Schools are really looking for teachers who have the whole package,” says Julia Hunt, Assistant Head of School, Strategic Initiatives. “It’s one thing to be a qualified English or science teacher, but really, what makes an amazing educator is someone that also knows how to develop a program that is comprehensive in experiential education. By going above and beyond their subject specializations, we think this certificate will help teachers to develop as practitioners and make them highly employable.”

The certificate was inspired by the thought leadership of two giants of progressive education Duncan McArthur, a distinguished Queen’s University graduate and visionary leader, and Joseph McCulley, a pioneer of the project- oriented approach to education who served as Headmaster at Pickering College from 1927 to 1948.

McCulley believed education’s primary goal was to prepare students to contribute to society, with an emphasis on the balance between individual and social needs. Inspired by John Dewey’s philosophy, McCulley was well ahead of his time in recognizing the world’s interdependence and the impact of this group outlook.

“At Pickering College, one of our fundamental principles, which goes back to Joseph McCulley, is that kids have to learn by experiencing that is why we are so excited about this partnership with Queen’s University because they believe that too,” says Hunt. “When students are learning in the field, whether it is through outdoor education, community service, volunteering or building and testing something, experiences like this make learning real. It gives students a sense of purpose, makes them feel good about what they’re doing, and makes them feel useful because when they feel like there is a purpose, they engage a lot further.”

To earn the post-graduate certificate, teachers will need to complete five Additional Qualifications (AQ) courses (two mandatory and three electives from a set of five choices). When the teacher completes the required courses, they will receive advanced standing that counts towards 20 per cent completion of the professional master’s degree program at Queen’s University. At the conclusion of the five courses, teachers will receive a post-graduate certificate from Queen’s University and a certificate in global leadership from Pickering College.

“There is a tremendous amount of synergy between our two educational institutions, which is what makes this partnership such a great fit,” says Dr. Cinde Lock, Head of School at Pickering College and alumna of Queen’s University. “Experiential education has always been a key part of learning at Pickering College. To have the opportunity to share our expertise with other teachers through this post-graduate certificate is so meaningful, and it will broaden the impact we can collectively have on students to affect positive change.”

“We are thrilled to be working with Pickering College on this exciting program, which will inspire teachers to design learning that transcends the curriculum and will transform how they educate children,” says Dr. Rebecca Luce-Kapler, Dean, Faculty of Education, Queen’s University.

The first cohort for the Post-Graduate Certificate in Experiential Education and Global Leadership began their studies in September. Among them are three Pickering College faculty members: Sarah Demarco (Junior School), Amanda Hamm (Middle School) and Emily van Nostrand (Senior School).

For more information about the Post-Graduate Certificate in Experiential Education and Global Leadership, visit www.pickeringcollege.on.ca/queens