York University's Faculty of Education welcomed a group of 59 educators from Saudi Arabia in early April to participate in a workshop titled "Relationship Building Preparing for School Immersion OCT Standards of Practice/Ethical Standards" organized by the Faculty’s Office of Professional Learning and course directors.
The 59 teachers, counsellors and principals from Saudi Arabia are at York for an immersive, six-month teacher professional learning program developed by the York University English Language Institute (YUELI).
The visiting group spent the past three months participating in the Academic Program at YUELI to improve their English language skills. For the next three months, they will work with local mentor teachers in placements across Toronto schools and put their new skills into action with the Toronto District School Board (TDSB). The project also provides the opportunity for participants to learn about the culture and values of Canadian society.
“We are delighted to host our teacher and principal colleagues from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the Individualized Guidance component of Building Leadership for Change Through School Immersion,” said Rick White, coordinator of International Programs and Leadership in the Faculty of Education at York University. “An outstanding group of accomplished mentors from the Faculty of Education with current knowledge of exemplary practices utilized in Ontario schools will be supporting the participants in this program.”
This is the second collaborative project with the TDSB in the past 12 months that utilizes the expertise of YUELI staff to build skills and the opportunities of the school board staff to provide practical experiences.
The TDSB noted in a statement that it welcomes “fellow educators from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia into our schools and classrooms as part of the Building Leadership for Change Through School Immersion Program. We look forward to providing our visiting colleagues with a meaningful and valuable experience through this exciting program.”
The project is a joint initiative with the Saudi Arabian Cultural Bureau, the Faculty of Education at York University, and the TDSB. It is managed by the York University English Language Institute.