The Faculty recently celebrated the accomplishments of a group of 26 professors from various universities in Jiangsu province in China who were in Canada for an intensive 11-week professional learning program focused on teacher education in Ontario. The graduation ceremony held in late December included remarks by Heather Lotherington, Associate Dean (Research), and Rick White, Coordinator of International Programs in the Faculty of Education as well as the presentation of certificates of accomplishment. Now in its 3rd year, the Jiangsu Provincial Outstanding Teacher Training Program hosted by the Office of Professional Learning in the Faculty of Education gives international educators an overview of Ontario’s education system.
The group learned about teacher education at York, programs in Ontario schools, research-based high yield instructional strategies, assessment practices, and many other important topics. York faculty and course directors developed and taught the program curriculum which included a range broad range of courses including Professional Learning and Inquiry; Creating Equitable Learning Environments; Pedagogies that Foster Deep Learning; and Growing Success: Assessment and Evaluation of Students in Ontario. The program also included visits to the Ministry of Education, Ontario College of Teachers and local schools.
“Many of the participants said that the most impressive observation taken from all of the school visits was that teachers in Ontario classrooms are passionate about their teaching and dedicated to the success and well-being of their student,” said Richard White, Coordinator of International Programs and Leadership in the Faculty of Education. “Our hope is that many of these professors will be able to implement some of the instructional strategies that they learned in their own classrooms when they return home.”
The program is coordinated jointly with SuOn College, an international educational organization managed by Jiangsu Education Services for International Exchange. Since its opening in 2007, SuOn College functions as an educational and collaborative bridge between China and North America.
The Office of Professional Learning in the Faculty of Education offers a variety of customized professional learning and training programs for international teachers and educational leaders.