The Faculty of Education, in partnership with SuON College, hosted a group of education professors from various universities in Jiangsu province, People’s Republic of China, for an intensive training program from Oct. 17 to 28.
The educators from China were here to learn about best practices in teacher training in Ontario, and to participate in school and site visits.
Dean Lyndon Martin
Dean Lyndon Martin welcomed the visiting educators at an Opening Ceremony at Winters College on Oct. 17. Several staff members and instructors from the Faculty facilitated workshops that were well received by the participants.
Laura Crane, director Academic Affairs and Operations, and Practicum Coordinator Diane Vetter, gave the group an overview of the Bachelor of Education (BEd) program and its requirements, including an explanation of how the practicum component of the program works.
The group also learned about inquiry-based learning from Course Director Marc Husband, and were provided insight into how “assessment for, as and of learning” can improve their teaching practice by Course Director Karen Devonish-Mazzotta.
Dean Lyndon Martin welcomes the group of Jiangsu province educators at the Opening Ceremony at Winters College
Director of Professional Learning Anna Jupp and International Educator Coordinator Rick White outlined some of the professional learning opportunities available to in-service teachers offered by the Faculty, and PQP Leader Mirella Rossi took the group on a student-led learning walk, a highly interactive and social approach to learning in schools.
In addition to the workshops, the group visited two elementary schools, a secondary school, the Ontario College of Teachers and the Ministry of Education.
Dr. Anning Ding, leader of Jiangsu Education Services for International Exchange (JESIE), said the professors were “most impressed with the programs offered at York University’s Faculty of Education and were very appreciative of the outstanding quality of instruction that they received in their workshops, and the compassion that York instructors have for their students and programs.”
York University’s Faculty of Education provides professional development programs for school administrators from around the world.