Laurentian University
Information
Friday, October 28, 2011
Contact: Dr. Gaby van der Giessen
Phone: (705) 675-1151 ext. 4289
Email: gvandergiessen@laurentian.ca
Online Registration
It is mandatory that you pre-register for the program by the registration deadline. The earlier you register for the program, the more chance you will obtain your first choices for the workshops. All workshops have a capacity limit based on speaker preference and room size. If a workshop is full, you will receive an online message asking you to select another workshop.
Registration for this event will:
- Open on Monday, October 17 (9 am)
- Close on Monday, October 24 (9 am)
Online Registration
- Registration is now closed
On the Day
On arrival at the School of Education Building, please sign in at the registration desk. In return, you will receive the program materials you will need for the day. We will not be providing paper handouts of the workshop presentations; instead, we ask you to bring your own materials for taking notes.
The registration desk will be open from 8:30 to 9:00 am. Beverages (coffee, tea, juice) will be available at this time.
Agenda
The program will commence promptly at 9:00 am in SE209. Please ensure you arrive with plenty of time to sign in and collect your materials for the day.
Refreshments
Beverages (coffee, tea, juice) will be available on the day, but you must make your own arrangements for lunch. We encourage you to bring your own beverage container to help us cut down on waste.
USB Drives
At the conclusion of the program, you will receive a USB drive specially produced by the Ministry of Education for participants of the Building Futures program.
Online Survey, Resources and Certificate of Participation
Following the event, you will receive an email message from the Ministry of Education, which will include:
- Information needed to download handouts to the workshop presentations and resources essential to beginning teachers
- A link to the Ministry’s online survey to evaluate your level of satisfaction. Once you have completed the survey, you will be able to download a personalized certificate of participation, which you can then print out.
Information about the Workshops
Aboriginal Education – Towards Student Achievement for All (Elementary and Secondary)
Did you know that there are over 300 expectations in the Ontario curriculum that help teachers bring First Nation, Métis and Inuit histories, cultures and perspectives into the classroom? For Aboriginal students, incorporating First Nations, Inuit and Métis perspectives and learning strategies into your teaching will help foster a strong sense of identity and a positive self-image. For all of Ontario's students this will help strengthen opportunities to explore, appreciate, understand, and value the contributions of Ontario's Aboriginal peoples and communities.
In this interactive session, teachers will learn about various approaches and strategies to use when addressing the needs of Aboriginal students. They will be given resources to use when covering Aboriginal perspectives in the classroom. An overview of the Ministry of Education's Ontario First Nation, Métis, and Inuit Education Policy Framework will also be provided.
New Teacher Induction Program (NTIP) (Elementary and Secondary)
Every teacher candidate will be provided with an overview and update on the New Teacher Induction Program (NTIP), designed to provide support to teachers in their first year of professional practice. A new teacher who recently graduated from the faculty of education will share his/her experiences from the pre-service program through to the induction program.
Occasional Teaching (Elementary and Secondary)
Every day is the first day of school for occasional teachers. This session will provide practical information and strategies in the art of occasional teaching. Teacher candidates will learn how to prepare an emergency tool kit, set the tone in the classroom, teach the students meaningful curriculum, and leave a lasting impression on the staff and students.
Safe and Healthy Schools (Elementary and Secondary)
The purpose of this workshop is to highlight the Ministry of Education’s policies, resources and initiatives for the safe schools (behaviour, discipline and safety) and healthy schools (e.g., healthy eating, physical activity) strategies.
A safe and healthy learning environment enhances learning and success in school and provides academic, social, emotional and physical benefits (D. Willms, 2007). The teacher plays a critical role in establishing and maintaining a positive learning environment for all students (K. Leithwood, 2004).
Special Education (Elementary and Secondary)
The special education workshop is designed to provide an overview of effective strategies that beginning teachers can use to respond to the strengths and needs of the diverse group of learners found in all classrooms. Practical strategies and current resources will be shared to support teachers in planning and implementing programs that may require accommodated, modified and/or alternative learning expectations.
Teachers Engaging and Communicating with Parents (Elementary and Secondary)
Research shows a positive link between parent engagement and student achievement and well-being. When parents are involved in their children’s education everyone benefits; students, teachers, schools and communities. Good schools can become even better places to learn.
Ontario’s parent engagement policy recognizes and supports parents as both valued partners & active participants in their children’s education. In this session, teachers will actively explore the topic of parent engagement. They will be given ideas and strategies on how to involve parents in their children’s learning in a variety of meaningful ways, and be provided with links to resources to support parent engagement.
