News Stories
Expert Q&A: BC government changes to reporting student progress
June 30, 2023
The 2023-24 school year will be the first year that all school districts in BC will implement a provincial proficiency scale instead of letter grades on report cards from kindergarten to Grade 9. Students in Grades 10 to 12 will still receive letter grades and percentages on report cards. Education Professor Dr. Paula Waatainen, a former high school social studies teacher, studies classroom... Read more
Alum of the Month: Ashley Kuramoto
May 20, 2023
From student to teacher to published author Since graduating from Vancouver Island University in 2011 with her Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education degrees, Ashley Kuramoto has been working her dream job as a teacher. She’s also a mother and, most recently, a published author. In recent months, Kuramoto has written and illustrated two children’s books that encourage families to explore fun... Read more
VIU connects with local and global community at WorldVIU Days
October 25, 2022
What: WorldVIU Days When: October 31 to November 4, 2022 Where: See photo opportunity schedule below An annual, multi-day event that explores how culture influences the way people make sense of the world is returning to Vancouver Island University (VIU) this month. Taking place from October 31 to November 4, WorldVIU Days celebrates diversity in all its facets and brings people together to find... Read more
VIU Education Student Investigates How Women Experienced Trauma During the First World War
November 5, 2021
Danielle Cossey-Sutton’s project was funded by a Mitacs Research Training Award. A gap in First World War research is how women experienced trauma. Vancouver Island University (VIU) Bachelor of Education student Danielle Cossey-Sutton spent part of the last academic year investigating this aspect of history. “Historical scholars admit it is difficult to explore gender studies during the First... Read more
VIU Introduces Bachelor of Kinesiology Program
November 13, 2020
VIU professor reflects on the progression of a Bachelor of Kinesiology degree as well as his own evolution as a teacher in the program over the past four decades. Les Malbon, Professor of Kinesiology at Vancouver Island University (VIU) has fond memories of when he was a student in the Physical Education program in 1974 – when Malaspina College was operating out of the old Nanaimo hospital... Read more
Teachers-in-Training Help Communities
November 19, 2019
VIU Education program students who are about to become certified teachers, spend their final weeks at University creating or participating in projects that fill a need in local communities. Preserving a child’s dignity by giving them a suitcase, collecting feminine hygiene products for women in need and creating the curriculum for a local nature centre all have substantial impacts on people,... Read more
Creatively Advocating for Change Through Art
July 19, 2019
Using artistic expression to foster cross-cultural relationships, Vancouver Island University’s (VIU’s) new Canada Research Chair hopes to create a space for emerging youth leaders to connect and invoke change in their community. VIU Faculty of Education Professor Dr. Amanda Wager’s new appointment as Canada Research Chair (Tier 2) in Community Research in Art, Culture and Education will provide... Read more
VIU Professor Receives Prestigious Teacher Educator Award
May 15, 2019
A Vancouver Island University (VIU) Education professor is being recognized with a provincial award for her transformative teaching approach and collaboration efforts. VIU Professor Paige Fisher received the Teacher Educator award from the Association of BC Deans of Education (ABCDE) in recognition for her efforts in partnering with a teacher education program in British Columbia (BC). “... Read more
VIU Graduate Student Hopes to Influence Indigenous Learning in Belize
March 19, 2019
VIU Master of Education in Educational Leadership student Miriam Juarez is researching how to incorporate more Maya culture and perspectives into the curriculum taught in her home country of Belize. NANAIMO, BC: Inspired by the ways Vancouver Island University (VIU) has worked with First Nations to bring Indigenous ways of knowing and being into many of its programs and courses, international... Read more
Cowichan Tribes Elders Teach Land-based Sustainability Course at VIU
December 5, 2018
Enhanced connections to the land, a deeper appreciation for the culture of local First Nations communities and the desire to pass these experiences on to others were key takeaways for students enrolled in a land-based teacher education course offered at Vancouver Island University’s (VIU’s) Cowichan Campus. Co-taught by Education Professor Nadine Cruickshanks and eight Cowichan Elders, the... Read more