News and events

  • Event: Writing Productivity Workshop

    Friday, January 24, 2020 | Posted by

    Person typing on a laptop

    Do unfinished manuscripts language in drawers and hard drives? What writing strategies can you use to increase your weekly writing productivity?

    Please join the Faculty of Education for its inaugural writing and research productivity workshop run by Trevor Norris. The Workshop takes place on Feb. 12 and 13 in Welch Hall 128A. The Workshops are open to Brock University members ($300/participant) and community members ($450/participant). To register, email Snezana Ratkovic at sratkovic@brocku.ca.Read more

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  • Ontario College of Teachers feedback invitation

    Monday, January 13, 2020 | Posted by

    The Ontario College of Teachers is reviewing the accreditation of the following pre-service teacher education program offered at Oshki-Pimache-O-Win: The Wenjack Education Institute in partnership with Brock University:

    • Concurrent program of professional education that combines studies in Aboriginal Education with an area of study in the Primary/Junior divisions, leading to a Bachelor of Education degree (Aboriginal)

    Students in the program, members of faculty, associate teachers, alumni or an interested community members are welcome to share their thoughts on, concerns about or praise for the program.

    To help ensure that Ontario’s teacher education programs continue to reflect the standards of the profession, please offer your insights. Feedback can be shared until Feb. 14, 2020 through two channels:

    View the poster here.

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  • Upcoming information sessions

    Tuesday, January 07, 2020 | Posted by

    Bachelor of Early Childhood Education

    Interested in applying your ECE Diploma toward a BECE (Honours) degree? Learn more about the BECE program from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 9 at the Hamilton Campus. Learn details about the program and gain insight into the application process and timelines. The event will include a formal presentation followed by Q&A session. Please note: this program is only available at the St. Catharines campus. Information sessions are held in Hamilton for your convenience.

    Register now for the information session.

    Technological Teacher Education

    Interested in becoming a Technological Education teacher? Learn more about the Technological Teacher Education program by attending an information presentation and Q&A session from 10:30 a.m. to noon on Sunday, Feb. 9 at the Hamilton Campus. During this event, you’ll be able to speak with instructors and staff and gain insight into the application process and timelines. You’ll also learn details about the program, the courses, the practicums and timelines.

    Register now for the information session.

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  • FOE Celebration of Scholarship

    Friday, December 27, 2019 | Posted by

    With 2019 drawing to a close, faculty and staff gathered to celebrate the contributions of Faculty of Education (FOE) researchers to the field of Education, communities, educators and learners of all ages.

    The 2019 Celebration of Scholarship, Creativity and Innovation, which took place on Nov. 27 in the Welch Hall Atrium, recognized the work of FOE researchers, including:

    • 76 Journal Articles
    • 53 Book Chapters
    • 21 Books
    • 10 Videos/Films
    • 10 Interviews, Task Force Contributions, Online/Media Acknowledgements
    • 6 Performances
    • 5 Special Issues
    • 4 Conferences/Symposia
    • 3 Posters
    • 2 Research Reports
    • 2 Open Educational Resources
    • 1 Academic Writing Retreat
    • 1 Encyclopedia Entry
    • 1 Fiction/Short Story
    • 1 Policy Brief

    The event was organized by Snezana Ratkovic, Research Officer in the Faculty of Education.

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  • Brock students bring holiday magic to local school

    Tuesday, December 24, 2019 | Posted by

    An elementary school student makes a Christmas ornament with a Brock volunteer

    A local elementary school was filled with holiday cheer thanks to some help from Brock University students and the Concurrent Education Student Association (CESA).

    The annual Holiday Extravaganza, organized by CESA, has become a festive tradition at Prince of Wales Public School in Thorold. The event paired 175 kindergarten to Grade 8 students from the school with a volunteer Brock Buddy for a day of crafts, games and relaxation.

    The fun-filled day was packed with stations that ranged from slime and ornament making  to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) activities. Each activity was tied to this year’s theme, How the Grinch Stole Holiday Extravaganza.

    Most of these volunteers are from Brock’s Concurrent Education programs, but students from across campus signed up to bring some joy to a local child.

    “Participating in an event like Holiday Extravaganza is a very rewarding experience where we are able to give back to the Thorold community,” said Josh Lupo, a third-year Concurrent Teacher Education student and member of the CESA planning team for the event. “This is my second year helping plan this event and something I want to continue to do. It brings so much joy to me and the students at Prince of Wales.”

    In total, about 230 Brock students volunteered to bring the event to life. Behind the scenes, 51 CESA members were on site to ensure the day went smoothly.

    The planning team for the event, comprised of Concurrent Teacher Education students, included first-year Hailey Plant, third-year Taylor Bogart, fourth-year Kaley Hughes and Lupo.

    Brock students were joined by special guests Boomer the Badger, the Thorold Fire and Emergency Services, and the Educational Research and Innovation Hub (ihub).

    The day was also made possible through the sponsorship and donations of local businesses and organizations’ time and financial aid. Students received packages of a toothbrush, toothpaste, books, toys, coupons and other small items. This year’s sponsors and donors included:

    • Shoppers Drug Mart
    • Brock University Campus Store
    • Brock Student Wellness and Accessibility Services
    • Zehrs
    • Boston Pizza on Ontario Street, St. Catharines
    • Starbucks Martindale Road, St. Catharines
    • Tim Hortons on James Street, St. Catharines
    • Bethesda
    • Millcroft Dental
    • Book Depot
    • Niagara Helicopters
    • Brand Blvd

    The day ended with each child receiving a gift from Santa, with gifts were supplied by their Brock Buddies based on the children’s interests.

    While the Holiday Extravaganza is the culmination of months of planning and work, the effort is worthwhile for everyone involved.

    “This community gives so much to local pre-service teachers,” said Hughes. “Having this opportunity to give back is the least we can do for such a wonderful school and group of students. Being there on the day of the event and seeing all the students laughing, opening presents and making new friends is priceless and makes every second of work so worth it.”

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  • Hamilton Campus Hours

    Monday, December 16, 2019 | Posted by

    Two female students pass a group of friends in the hallway at Brock's Hamilton Campus
    • Dec. 16 to 20, 2019: OPEN 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.* (*exception for one booking during this week)
    • Dec. 21, 2019, to Jan. 1, 2020: Closed
    • Jan. 2 – Jan. 4, 2020: OPEN 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.
    • Jan. 6, 2020: Normal hours resume and classes start
      • Mon – Thu: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
      • Fri – Sat: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

     

     

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  • Upcoming on-the-spot admissions opportunities

    Wednesday, December 11, 2019 | Posted by

    Interested in our Bachelor of Early Childhood Education or Adult Education programs? Visit one of our on-the-spot admissions tables to apply. Applicants must bring unofficial copies of transcripts or a printed copy of their mark-book, $100 for full-time study/$55 for part-time study (cash, credit, cheque accepted) and a form of government ID.

    Mohawk College – Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2020, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Pathways Fair
    Niagara College (Welland Campus) – Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2020, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
    Niagara College (NOTL Campus) – Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2020, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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  • Education students journey to Guatemala

    Friday, November 29, 2019 | Posted by

    A group of 19 Brock students, along with two faculty members and a staff member, are pictured in front of Volcan de San Pedro.

    A group of Brock students have brought back life-changing lessons from a recent trip to Guatemala.

    The group of 19 graduate and undergraduate students, along with two faculty members and one staff person, traveled to Guatemala from Oct. 11 to 21 as part of a Faculty of Education course on global education.

    In Guatemala, students learned how indigenous Mayan communities are working to preserve their cultures and languages in two regions of the country. Before leaving, they prepared for with classes and resources on culture, history and current issues in these regions.

    The journey challenged the views and values of many of the students.

    “During our stay in Guatemala, a number of the students commented on ‘the bubble’ they viewed themselves as living in back home in Canada,” said Michael O’Sullivan, the course instructor. O’Sullivan is an Associate Professor and Associate Dean, Graduate Student Services, Research and International in the Faculty of Education.

    “The students were deeply moved by the people they met and the activities in which they participated that were organized by young indigenous people, by women and by traditional knowledge keepers,” said O’Sullivan.

    The itinerary included a visit to an elementary school, where students were able teach a lesson to local children and observe local teachers.

    While Tiffany Harrilal, a fourth-year Concurrent Teacher Education student, saw some similarities between the elementary school they visited and schools in Canada, there were some striking differences.

    “Something that I found interesting was they really do try to include a lot of Mayan Indigenous culture into the curriculum,” said Harrilal. These cultural elements included the local Mayan language and traditional teachings.

    The group also visited a bilingual, cross-cultural secondary school and met with students from a local university created by the Mayan Ixil people to preserve traditional knowledge and create educational opportunities for the Ixil youth.

    “It gets you out of your traditional outlook on what a school is and it should be or what you have always seen or experienced,” said Sarah Burger (BA ’16), Master of Education, of visiting the schools and Ixil university.

    “I definitely think its going to inform the way I teach or how I think about teaching because there are so many ways to conduct a lesson or to engage with your students,” agreed Harrilal.

    Despite language barriers, students were able to immerse themselves in Mayan culture, even sharing home-cooked dinners with Mayan families. In some cases, double translation from English to Spanish to a local Mayan language was necessary to communicate with community members. Through these conversations, students better understood the efforts of Mayan communities to recuperate their traditional values.

    The group also toured Mayan chocolate and weaving cooperatives using traditional techniques, attended cultural performances and participated in a traditional Mayan smoke ceremony and lessons on Mayan teachings.

    “I think that social responsibility came in,” said Burger of the larger themes she observed during the trip. Making a positive impact on an individual basis, such as through her purchasing decisions, is something she’ll take away from her time in Guatemala.

    Harrilal echoed similar ideas when reflecting on her experience.

    “What I noticed on the trip is that we forget how connected we are to people,” she said.

    Harrilal also found herself making connections between the challenges facing Mayan communities and Canada’s Indigenous communities.

    “Seeing those connections, you would think that hearing that Mayan Indigenous peoples are facing the same things would be disheartening, but it was so empowering” said Harrilal.

    She was encouraged by seeing people of all ages working to rescue Mayan cultures, histories, teachings and knowledge. She hopes to bring Indigenous knowledge into her classroom as a teacher and to be an ally in the work of preserving Indigenous cultures in Canada.

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  • OSSTF updates for students

    Friday, November 22, 2019 | Posted by

    The Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF) will begin a legally constituted strike action on Tuesday, November  26, 2019. It’s the Faculty’s understanding that this strike action will take the form of a partial withdrawal of services and that these actions don’t currently include a withdrawal of associate teaching services.

    Teacher candidates who are on practicum and students who are participating in structured experiences are expected to appear at their designated assignments. Teacher candidates who are on practicum should consult with their Associate Teachers on the appropriate protocol for crossing picket lines (if applicable) and other in-school protocols.

    As more details becomes available, Brock staff and Faculty will communicate to students through this page and by email.

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  • ETFO updates for students

    Friday, November 22, 2019 | Posted by

    The Ontario Teachers’ Federation (OTF) has communicated that the Elementary Teachers’ Federation (ETFO) will be on legal strike on Tuesday, November 26, 2019 if a settlement is not negotiated before that date.  During the strike, teachers will withdraw partial services and this withdrawal of services does not currently affect teacher candidates.

    Associate teachers will still host preservice teachers in their classrooms. Teacher candidates can continue to attend structured experience days or practice teaching but should not take part in those activities that associate teachers are not participating in.

    As more details becomes available, Brock staff and Faculty will communicate to students through this page and by email.

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