School District Seeks More Student Teachers Trained at VIU

Student teachers at Vancouver Island University are in demand.

VIU Education faculty member Dr. John Phipps recently received a call from Breanne Stoudt, Human Resources Advisor for School District # 63 (Saanich), asking for more VIU practicum students in Saanich schools.

“I was told that VIU student teachers are well trained, prepared for classroom assignments and seem to understand how to plan and deliver lesson plans,” said Phipps.

Stoudt confirmed she often hears positive comments from Saanich district principals about the quality of VIU student teachers.

“We would definitely welcome more VIU practicum students coming to our district,” she said. “I hear from principals that they (VIU student teachers) are very progressive in their instructional strategy.”

After Stoudt’s call, Phipps contacted VIU fifth and sixth year Education students and sent her a list of possible recruits for next September.

Practicum students make up the district’s biggest recruitment pool, added Stoudt. “They come into our district and teach for eight weeks during their practicum. We get to see how they perform in a classroom,” she says.

“It’s better than a job interview. We’ve seen many VIU all-star student teachers on practicum. It’s wonderful when we can offer them an assignment.”

Phipps said VIU’s education program and student teachers have an excellent reputation in school districts on Vancouver Island and beyond.

“Students teachers are required to follow a certain Planning Framework in all of our programs,” said Phipps. “That’s the key to our success. Teaching students to lesson plan and follow through is at the core of what we teach.”

Each year, approximately 400 VIU student teachers are placed in practicum assignments in BC elementary and secondary schools.

Phipps said approximately 65 graduating students went to local elementary schools last December while 35 completed practicums at secondary schools. These students were enrolled in VIU’s intensive post-baccalaureate 18-month teacher training program.

This June, Phipps expects another 68 graduating students from VIU’s Bachelor of Education program to complete practicum assignments in elementary schools. “These students come into our program after two years of university and complete three more years of study to get their teaching degrees,” he said.

“We are proud of our Faculty of Education program, and the reputation of our students and all graduates who have found rewarding teaching positions in elementary and secondary school classrooms, in adult basic education and English as a second language programs, tutoring and at other educational institutions near to home and abroad,” said VIU Education Dean Dr. Harry Janzen. “VIU students’ success is our success.”

Stoudt said the Saanich school district has about 30 practicum students working in the district at any given time. What qualities does the district look for in a student teacher or new recruit?

“Excellent classroom management skills, knowledge of inquiry based or 21st century learning, assessment for learning, having a good handle on technology use in the classroom and being comfortable in a variety of instructional strategies,” said Stoudt. “VIU student teachers have all of these qualities.”

More information on VIU’s Education programs.

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ABOUT VIU: Vancouver Island University is Canada’s west coast university. Known as a centre of excellence for teaching, learning and applied research, VIU offers a diverse range of certificate, diploma and undergraduate and master degree programs to more than 18,000 students on campuses in Nanaimo, Powell River and Cowichan, and at the Parksville-Qualicum Centre. For more information visit www.viu.ca

Media Contact

Janina Stajic, Manager, Vancouver Island University

P: 250.740.6288 E: Communications@viu.ca Twitter: @VIUNews