May 9, 2006 - 5:00pm
Malaspina University-College has trained over 1,000 teachers since 1991, and now Education grads are invited back to celebrate.
Reunion 2006 is the first gathering of Malaspina Education graduates in the department’s 15-year history. The weekend celebration takes place at the Nanaimo campus May 19 and 20.
"It's a chance for Mal-U Education grads to reconnect, have fun and learn exciting and innovative strategies to take back to the classroom," said Jon Beekman, Malaspina's Manager of Alumni Relations.
Beekman said hundreds of Malaspina Education grads work for school districts all over Vancouver Island and beyond "and we're welcoming them back to the campus for a weekend of fun and learning."
The reunion weekend kicks off May 19 with a wine and cheese reception, book signing and keynote address by renowned children’s author, artist and illustrator Ted Harrison. Harrison published and produced works raising awareness of the north and its culture, and received the Order of Canada for outstanding work.
A retired teacher, Harrison believes art, music, poetry and literature are as important as the sciences, and the education system "needs to get back to a more humanistic and integrated approach" by offering students greater opportunities to study these subject areas.
"Mal-U Education grads will have a chance to meet Harrison in person and witness his zeal and passion for teaching and integrating art, music and literature into the learning environment," added Beekman.
On Saturday, participants will learn "innovative tools and strategies" to benefit classroom learning through 11 workshops presented by Education alumni. Workshops include:
* "Celebrating Aboriginal Educational Day" - presented by former Mal-U student Donna Wilford, a Metis with family lines stretching back into Canada’s historic fur trading days. Wilford will show participants how to plan a National Aboriginal Day celebration within their classroom or school.
* "Words Their Way" - presented by alumni Lesley Carter, a graduate from Malaspina’s first class of teachers in 1991. Carter, a grade one teacher for the Nanaimo-Ladysmith School District, will present an introduction to a new system for teaching spelling.
* "Stampin’in the classroom" - presented by alumni Allison Miles, this workshop will teach grads how to tap into their creative side through the art of rubberstamping and scrapbooking. Miles, who graduated in 2000, runs a home-based business.
* "Global Citizenship in and Beyond the Classroom" - presented by alumni Clay McLeod, a grade 8 Social Studies and English teacher for the Central Okanagan School District. This workshop will show participants how global education engages students and teaches social responsibility. McLeod has presented over 10 global education workshops to teachers in B.C., and is currently writing a book called The World in Your Classroom: Engaging Students in Global Education.
* "Creating a Talking Book" with Windows Movie Maker - presented by alumni Grant Sandeman-Allen, a recent Mal-U graduate currently working as a Teacher on Call for the Nanaimo-Ladysmith School District. Sandeman-Allen will demonstrate how to create a digitial storybook using Windows Movie Maker software, which comes pre-installed on new PCs. Participants will learn how to import and edit digital video, add a narration track and export the completed project to CD-Rom.
The Education reunion weekend wraps up with a family barbeque Saturday. Total price for the entire weekend is $60 per person, including a full slate of workshops, wine and cheese reception, lunch on Saturday, and a dinner at the barbeque. There is a nominal fee for spouses, partners and children.
Reunion 2006 is organized by Malaspina Education faculty, students, alumni and the Alumni Relations Office. To register, or for more information, visit the website at www.viu.ca/alumni.
Tags: In the Community
