2009 Initial Teacher Education Program Newsletter #2 (Instructors & Staff) Welcome to the second ITE Program Newsletter. It is our hope that this quarterly electronic newsletter will provide you with regular updates about what's going on in OISE's four ITE Program pathways. Thanks to our Program Directors who have provided the items of interest for this edition. 1) The Bachelor of Education/Diploma in Technological Education Consecutive Program...David Montemurro & Leslie Stewart Rose Site-Based Teacher Education A few of our school-based teacher education sites have changed this year. The elementary Regional cohort has moved temporarily into St. Roch Secondary School, Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board, a new school that opened September 2009. The secondary Peel cohort (SP5) moved from UTM to find a new home at Clarkson Secondary School, Peel District School Board. The Inner City option moved from the St. George campus to Flemington Public School, which is a TDSB Inclusive School Project site. Many thanks to the school administrators, teachers, and staff for their generosity and to our OISE instructors, Cathy Marks Krpan, Rochelle Rabinowicz, Ann Lopez, Darlene Avis-Pottinger and Caroline Rosenbloom for their leadership to make school-based teacher education a rewarding, enriching experience. Environmental Sustainability Education (ESE) Building on the Ministry's Acting Today, Shaping Tomorrow: A Policy framework for Environmental Education in Ontario Schools, there have been a number of initiatives to deepen and extend ITE's commitment to sustainability education, including: the initial development of a website for 'green' teaching resources, a piloted ESE-infusion workshop in Elementary and Secondary TES classes, and coordinating workshops with and at the Institute of Child Study, which has a grant to develop a teaching resource for environmental studies. Many thanks to the commitment and leadership of a host of OISE instructors and graduate students, including Hilary Inwood, Jane Forbes, Barb Nixon, Erminia Pedretti, Lorraine Chiarotto, Judith Burt, Angela McDonald, and Terezia Zoric. New Research in the Inner City Option A new pilot and research project is underway in partnership with the Centre for Urban Schooling (CUS), CTL, with funding from the Paloma Foundation; the Ruth and Alexander Dworkin Tolerance Fund; the TDSB Model Schools for Inner Cities; Dr. Chris Spence, TDSB Director of Education and OISE’s Graduate Assistant program. Thirty associate teachers from the elementary Inner City Option (ICO) partnership schools are participating in a Culturally Relevant and Responsive Pedagogy Seminar Series, which parallels the Inner City Option’s School and Society course. The project is being implemented by Jeff Kugler, CUS Executive Director and Nicole West-Burns, CUS Research and Development Officer. The research, lead by Professor Joe Flessa, TPS and Graduate Assistant, Cara Zurzolo, explores ways that sharing similar course experiences and a common language of anti-oppression teacher education might enhance the practicum experience and support equity-based learning for young people in classrooms.

2) The University of Toronto Concurrent Teacher Education Program...Antoinette Gagné CTEP Jump Start Day On Saturday September 12 2009, Concurrent Education Students, Faculty and Staff from across the University gathered at OISE for the CTEP Jump Start Day. This is an orientation event for incoming Concurrent Education Students as well as one of our key cross-campus events. We had an excellent turnout with about 250 participants. Activities throughout the CTEP Jump Start Day brought all new Concurrent Education Students together. We are grateful to former Associate Dean Teacher Education, Carol Rolheiser for welcoming the new cohort of Concurrent Education Students. Carol is now the Director of the Centre for Teaching Support and Innovation (CTSI) and got Jump Start Day off to a great start by sharing some inspiring thoughts about teaching. New members of the Concurrent Education Community We are pleased to welcome Michael De Angelis and John Smith as the CTEP Partnership and OISE Co-coordinators. Michael De Angelis has extensive experience in teaching and teacher education as well as in educational administration and leadership. Michael has been working with us for the past two years as the CTEP Tri-campus and Partnership Coordinator. John Smith has extensive experience as a teacher; Education Officer with the Ministry, author and school administrator. John has also served as President of the Peel Principals’ and Vice-principals Association. We look forward to working with both Mike and John to ensure the growth of strong field partnerships as well as the effective coordination of the B.Ed. components of the Concurrent Program. First Concurrent B.Ed Courses in 2009/10 In 2009, the Concurrent Program entered its third year of implementation which corresponds to the first year our students take Concurrent BEd courses. These courses offered for the first time in 2009/10 are: the Principles of Teaching: Legal, Ethical and Professional and Inclusive Education: ELLs and Exceptional Learners. We have an excellent team of experienced instructors! The Principles of Teaching instructional team includes: Michael De Angelis teaching the UTM sections, Ero Siouga teaching the Music and Vic sections, Rochelle Rabinowicz teaching the St-Mike's section, Annie Cornelis teaching the Phys. Ed. section and Carrie Chassels teaching the UTSC section. The Inclusive Education instructional team includes: Jennifer Shields teaching the UTM sections, John Duwyn teaching the UTSC section, Carrie Chassels teaching the St. Mike’s section, and Ero Siouga and Evelyn Freedman who share in teaching the sections offered at VIC, Music and Phys. Ed. Concurrent Teacher Education Information Session The Concurrent Teacher Education Program (CTEP) is the result of unique partnerships established to enhance the undergraduate student experience by expanding teacher education

across the University of Toronto. The partnership involving seven U of T units has developed a program that was accredited by the Ontario College of Teachers before enrolling its first cohort of Year 1 students in September 2007. In 2009/10 the Concurrent Program entered its third year of implementation with over 600 students. On November 3th 2009 from 3:30 to 5:30 PM, we will host an information session about the Program for the OISE community providing those who are currently involved in the program, as well as those who are interested in becoming involved, with more information about the Program structure and goals. It will involve an informal presentation with opportunities to ask questions and interact. Light refreshments will be provided. This event will take place on the main floor of the Education Commons. A new education-focused magazine; Hey, Teach! Victoria College CTEP is pleased to present a new education-focused magazine; Hey, Teach! We are looking for contributions from any interested students. The General Meeting will be held on October 13 at 4.00 pm at Victoria College (Northrop Frye Building, Room 006), please join us. 3) The Master of Arts in Child Study and Education Program (Department of Human Development and Applied Psychology)...Dale Willows

ICS External Review As Kang Lee's term as Director comes to a close this year, The Institute for Child Study is preparing for an external review. The reviewers will be visiting the site on November 9 and 10th. Deep appreciation to Kang for his thoughtful and committed leadership. OISE External Review ICS will also host a site visit for the OISE external reviewers during the last week of October. The Jackson Lecture With the release of the report “With Our Best Future in Mind: Early Learning in Ontario” authored by Charles Pascal, greater attention is being focused upon early learning and early schooling. One of our faculty, Janette Pelletier, is an expert in the area of transitioning to school and the role of parents in early education. She has studied integrated service programs such as Peel Best Start and Toronto First Duty. Dr. Pelletier will be participating in the panel on early learning to be presented as the Jackson lecture on November 18th at 7 pm in the Great Hall at Hart House.

4) The Master of Teaching Program (Department of Curriculum, Teaching and Learning)...Clare Kosnik The new I/S program The MT program began the year with an orientation for our expanded program: P/J, J/I, and I/S students. The new I/S program is for students who want to teach History or Mathematics. We will expand to include Science and English as teachables next year. A new mentoring initiative Given that we are a two-year program, we have instituted a mentoring initiative where all year 1 students have a year 2 mentor. Both groups of students are finding the interactions beneficial as the more experienced students provide helpful information on navigating and capitalizing on the teacher education program. The year 1 students can ask their mentors about practice teaching, course assignments, and selection of electives. A mentoring committee has been established and has planned a variety of activities for the upcoming year. Integrating technology On October 20 we will have a day devoted to technology. Under the leadership of Jim Hewitt and Kim MacKinnon the committee designed a day that addresses a range of topics. Students can choose from an array of concurrent sessions which will focus on integrating technology into specific curriculum areas (e.g., mathematics, literacy, the arts). Presenters include OISE faculty, EC staff, doctoral students, and practicing teachers. 5) From the School University Partnerships and Student Services Offices...Eleanor Gower

Practicum Preparation Week The week of October 20 is 'Practicum Preparation' week. On October 20 at 4:30, a panel of ‘elementary principals’ and a panel of ‘secondary principals’ will discuss practicum expectations. October 21 at 4:30, a panel of ‘elementary associate teachers’ and a panel of ‘secondary associate teachers’ will discuss practicum expectations. On October 22 at 4:30, panels of ‘recent grads’ will discuss their practicum experiences. Friday at 12:00 is our annual fun, "What not to wear on your practicum fashion show." Models are instructors in the program. All candidates are welcome to join us on the second floor to share a free pizza lunch. The Academic and Cultural Support Centre Students in the Graduate program and in the Initial Teacher Education programs may access this service by making an appointment on line. Details of the Centre’s services can be found at: http://www.oise.utoronto.ca/studentservices/supportServices/academicWritingCentre.php Difficult Conversations Last Wednesday SUPO/Student Services held the first of four professional development sessions all connected to the theme of 'Teaching the Adult Learner'. The first session focused on “Difficult Conversations.” The next sessions, to be held on November 3rd will explore some of the research on how to effectively work with the diverse strengths and needs of adult learners.

H1N1 update Please encourage students and faculty who are experiencing flu like symptoms to stay home. Students should be reminded to enter their absences due to flu, on the ROSI system. During their practicum period, teacher candidates who are placed in schools are expected to follow school board protocols around H1N1. During the practicum period, teacher candidates who become ill with flu should notify their associate teachers, the SUPO office and must enter their absences on the ROSI system. Instructors will have provided an addendum to their course syllabi which outlines evaluation procedures for teacher candidates who are absent because of H1N1 and can provide a confirmation of their registration of absence on ROSI. Safe Schools Conference The Safe Schools conference which took place on September 26 was a great success and attracted a large number of teacher candidates and guests. The conference opening was an interactive play about bullying which drew the candidates into the topics of the workshops in a very relevant and engaging way. Many thanks to Amy Lobo, Christina Parker, Dr. Kathy Bickmore and the workshop presenters. Next Conference: Educational Activism conference November 28. 6) From the Executive Director's and Associate Dean's Offices...Kathy Broad & Mark Evans

Thanks! As the instructional year moves into its second month, we would like to thank everyone involved in supporting the learning experience of our teacher candidates. We are very fortunate to have excellent instructors from a range of backgrounds and locations, as well as highly skilled staff in all of our support units - the School University Partnerships Office/Student Services, the Registrar's Office and Education Commons. We also appreciate the support of the Chairs in each Department and our colleagues in Departments and Centers whose contributions are very much valued. ITE Program Review Thanks for everyone’s contributions to the ITE self-review portion of the broader institutional review of OISE. Through various program meetings and consultations, input has been obtained from instructors, from infusion and program component leaders, from support units such as Education Commons, Registrar's Office and SUPO/Student Services and from teacher candidates through the Student Teachers' Union. External reviewers will be visiting October 26-28. This self-review aligns with our future planning and our program accreditation processes over the next years. New – and revised - Committees The ITE Committee structure continues to evolve. The ITE Program Committee (formerly the Program Component Coordinators’ Group) which focused primarily on BEd Consecutive Program issues and directions will now include the BEd component of the Concurrent program. A new Awards Committee (chaired by Eleanor Gower) and an ITE Research and Professional Inquiry Committee (chaired by Clare Kosnik) have also been initiated.

Staffing for 2009-2010 A very special thank-you to Dr. Claire Alleyne, Registrar for her ongoing and significant contributions to the ITE Program during her tenure at FEUT and here at OISE over the last two decades. As she moves into retirement, we wish her all the best. Thanks Claire!

We to welcome Dawn Bloomfield back following the birth of her second daughter, Elyse in March. We would also like to extend a very big thank you to Elaine Taguchi for her many contributions while in the role of Assistant to the Associate Dean during Dawn’s leave. We appreciate her willingness to share her talents in support of our teacher education programs. Communications With the growth of our four program pathways we continue to work to refine our communications internally and externally. To this end the Initial Teacher Education website is being reviewed and reconstructed over the next few months. Stay tuned for changes! Upcoming Cross-program ITE Events Friday October 23 Fourth Annual University-wide Symposium on Teaching

and Learning at University College. The full program is available online at: http://www.provost.utoronto.ca/tlsymposium/2009TLProg.htm

Tuesday, November 3 PD Series about the Adult Learner - #2 Wednesday, November 18 Jackson Lecture: Early Learning in Ontario Saturday, December 5 Educational Activism Conference December 16 (pm), 17, 18 Professional Preparation Conference