OCT Application Process Clarification - For Students Hoping to Graduate in June 2019

A few of you have asked for clarification about the application process and timeline for both the Ontario College of Teachers (OCT).

It's simple.

Create your online OCT application profile

• Obtain your Pending OCT #
• Make sure the Faculty of Education has your OCT # (complete their previously circulated survey)
• Arrange to submit any outstanding OCT application checklist items to make your application complete 

                   1) Your identity documents - your responsibility
                   2) Your proof of practice teaching (placement assessments) - your responsibility
                   3) A police record check  - your responsibility
                   4) Your final transcripts (1 for your undergraduate degree and 1 for your B.Ed degree) - your responsibility
                   5) Report from Faculty - this is submitted on your behalf by an official Lakehead Faculty of Education                                                                     designate, at the end of May/early June and December each year
                   6) Arrange to pay the certification fee - your responsibility

• Here is the step by step YouTube clip outlining the registration process: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0aoL3K6wfQ

NOTE:It is each student's responsibility to understand any specific deadline imposed by this organization.
Should you have any questions about the application process or timeline for application completion, we would encourage you to contact OCT directly.

Contact Information Ontario College of Teachers:

• Ontario College of Teachers (OCT): https://www.oct.ca/about-the-college/contact-us

All Legacy 1 Year B.Ed and Year 2 (of the 2 Year B.Ed program) Students - Your Next Professional Development Session - Educator's Panel - January 30, 2019

Attention all Legacy 1 Year B.Ed and Year 2 (of the 2 Year B.Ed program) Students,

Please be advised that the next compulsory Professional Development Event for all 1 Year B.Ed and Year 2 (of the 2 Year B.Ed program) students is set to occur on Wednesday, January 30, 2019 from 5-7pm at the Geneva Event Centre (16 West Street S).

See you all there.

Education Career Fair at Heritage Place

Come with enthusiasm and your resume to explore some of the available teaching opportunities after you graduate!

Curious to see what organizations are coming?

www.lakeheadu.ca/careerfairs is updated with all of the Education Career Fair attendees!

Writing Peer Tutor Program

2019 Family Math Nights - Volunteer Opportunity!

Forwarding on behalf of Sarah Lorincz and Paul Minichiello:

Hi Everyone,

We are organizing the 2019 Family Math Nights for Lakehead University. We are looking for any interested teacher candidates to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to engage with young students and their parents in math learning through interactive games at local schools. 

This is an exciting opportunity to host math games with your peers, and to get kids having fun while learning. If you are looking to brush up on your Mathematics teaching in the classroom and gain some more experience before your next placement, this is the chance for you!

We will be hosting information sessions on both Tuesday January 29th at 11:00 AM and Thursday January 31st at 11:00 AM in OH007 (Heritage Place), which will outline the purpose, structure, and fun activities that will take place at local SCDSB and SMCDSB schools. If this exciting opportunity is of interest to you, please confirm attendance with your chosen information session date by contacting Sarah Lorincz snlorinc@lakeheadu.ca as soon as possible. 

Along with your participation in this program, you will be able to add this activity to your Lakehead Co-curricular record, and you will receive a certificate of participation to add to your teaching portfolio!

If you are unable to attend either of the two meetings but are interested in this opportunity, please reach out to the listed email, and we will be happy to accommodate!

We look forward to hearing from you and working with you in this great program. 

Sarah Lorincz

Graduate Assistant - Mathematics, Lakehead University Orillia

Register today! Ministry of Education's Online Webinars for Teacher Candidates

The Ministry of Education’s Professional Development Program for Teacher Candidates has organized several online webinar workshops to be delivered on various dates and times over the next three months.

The first online webinar will be delivered on Tuesday, January 29, 2019.

More information about the program and the online webinars is found on the TeachOntario website.

English:  https://www.teachontario.ca/community/explore/professional-development-program-for-teacher-candidates

French: https://www.teachontario.ca/community/explore/professional-development-program-for-teacher-candidates/programme-de-perfectionnement-professionnel-pour-les-candidats-et-les-candidates-à-l-enseignement/pages/main

Webinar Registration Direct Link: https://www.teachontario.ca/docs/DOC-10188 (EN)

Webinar Registration Direct Link: https://www.teachontario.ca/docs/DOC-10189 (FR)

Certificate of Participation will be sent to participants upon completion of each webinar. Online registration is mandatory. 

Writing Peer Tutor Program

Posting the below message on behalf of Meridith Lovell-Johnston:


Dear Teacher Candidates,

Dr. Helyar has asked me to coordinate a peer tutoring program for writing in the winter term. The purpose of the peer tutoring program is to help those who would like some one-on-one help with their writing.

Peer Tutors would read a draft of your work and provide suggestions for improving presentation of ideas and/or grammar and conventions. Peer tutors are not to edit or revise others' written work; rather, they will highlight problematic areas within the draft and talk through them with you in a problem-solving manner. Also, Peer Tutors are not to provide feedback for papers in classes where they are also enrolled (for ethical reasons). They will provide feedback on written drafts; they will not provide ideas for the content of these papers.

If you are interested in booking time with one of our peer tutors:

1. Click the calendar link (bit.ly/FoEWritingTutor) and select an appointment time that works with your class schedule. Note that all appointments must be made at least 24 hours in advance. Peer tutors may decline appointments that are not made in advance.
2. Contact the peer tutor and arrange to share an in-progress draft of your writing (hard copy or shared on google drive is preferred). The draft must be shared prior to 24 hours before your appointment to allow the tutor enough time to read through and consider your work before the appointment. If the draft is more than 3-4 pages in length, select an excerpt to work on with the tutor.
3. The Peer Tutor will read the paper (or a portion thereof, if that is what is asked) and highlight problematic areas (such as places where writing is unclear, where elaboration is needed, or places where conventions are misused). You may also make a request such as, "Could we focus on strategies for elaborating ideas?" Draft work will be kept confidential, and all drafts will be returned or, if using Google Docs, you should revoke sharing privileges after the meeting (this is why email is not preferred).
4. You will meet with the peer tutor in the learning commons or other agreed-upon space to work through the highlighted areas, discussing possible strategies or solutions. Each Peer Tutor will keep a log of appointments that you will be asked to sign during your meeting (for confirmation and tracking purposes).

Please note that peer tutors will not copy edit or perform any revisions on your draft itself. The purpose of the 20 minute appointments is to give suggestions and/or work through problematic areas in your writing.

Disclaimer: Peer Writing Tutors are volunteers whose intention is to assist teacher candidates with their writing. Working with a Peer Writing Tutor is not a substitute for doing one's own work and there is no guarantee of any particular grade or improvement in grades.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at mlovell@lakeheadu.ca.

Basketball Club

Interested in playing basketball? Join the Basketball Club!  

Please see the poster below for additional details.  

Book Your Grad Photos Now!

A message from the University Bookstore:

Upcoming Grad Photo Sessions (Orillia Students Only):

Graduation photographs in Orillia will take place at the following locations in February/March:

Heritage Place Commons: February 25 - February 28, 2019

Orillia Campus - OR 1009: March 4 - March 7, 2019

Spaces fill up very quickly so book early!

You must have your photo taken to appear in your Graduating Class Composite.

You must also sign up online to book your appointment:

To do so follow these 2 easy steps:

1. visit http://www.lassmanstudios.com/dcs_sched/

2. enter lakehead in the school ID to access the schedules (click on 2019)

Find a time that is convenient for you and book it.

Included in the sitting fee are a set of unique poses from which you can view/order online and a digital copy of your class composite. Both traditional grad portraits as well as some fun style shots (if desired) will be taken.

Gowns, roses, mortorboard, graduating hoods, etc. will be provided on the day of your shoot.

You can also choose from over 25 different backgrounds! Don't miss this great opportunity for Professional Graduation Portraits!

Thank you,

Lakehead University Bookstore (Orillia)

Student Affairs Schedule at Heritage Place - Winter 2019

Education Exchange Newsletter - January 2019 Issue

The Faculty of Education is pleased to share the latest issue of the Education Exchange Newsletter.  

Read the January 2019 issue here.

UPDATE - January 16th, 2019 - Planned Full Day PD Event for 1 Year B.Ed and Year 2 Students - Please Read

Thank you to all the 1 Year B.Ed and Year 2 (of 2 Year B.Ed) students who have already selected their 4 mandatory workshops for the planned full day PD event that is happening on January 16th, 2019.

We have a number of students who have NOT made their selections.
It is imperative that ALL  1 Year B.Ed and Year 2 (of 2 Year B.Ed) students understand that it is mandatory to attend this event.

What Do I Do If I Have Not Signed Up For My Workshops?
If you have not yet been able to visit the sign-up table that was available to you on Jan 8th, and 9th, 2019, we will have the table set up again on Thursday Jan 10th, 2019 from 10:45am until 1:00pm, to make your selections.

NOTE: A number of workshops and timeslots are now full. For those who still need to make their selections, they will have to choose from what is available.

Please Remember:
All classes scheduled on January 16th, 2019 have been canceled.
Those classes will be made up on Monday March 18th, 2019. 
That day will follow a Wednesday class schedule.

Important Opportunity - GO Conference

Hi Teacher Candidates!

The Gifted Outreach (GO) Conference takes place each May. This year's date will be Thursday, May 2, 2019. It is an amazing opportunity for teacher candidates. Not only does it allow you to plan an interactive learning session geared towards Grade 4 to 8 gifted students within Simcoe County, but it allows you to work in collaboration with SCDSB staff to plan the conference itself! This allows you to gain valuable skills, knowledge and training that can be applied when working with gifted students and is a great asset to have on any resume. The GO conference is not only a fun day, but it is a highly enriching process for all involved.

Check out this amazing video highlighting from previous conferences: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5NYBXs8YFYzUXpzSFdOQ2V0RTg/view?usp=sharing

If you have passed your practicum(s), the Math Competency Exam and all your courses, and are interested in working with your peers to create a workshop for this conference, you can sign up by contacting Elizabeth Thomas (sethoma1@lakeheadu.ca) or Denise Calvert (dcalvert@lakeheadu.ca) by Friday, January 11, 2019.

The GO Conference will require students to participate in information and training prior to the event. Dates and times to follow.

Participants will receive Co-Curricular Record credit!

What more could you ask for?! Sign up!  

January 16th, 2019 - Planned Full Day PD Event for 1 Year B.Ed and Year 2 Students - Please Read

Good Morning all 1 Year B.Ed and Year 2 (of 2 Year B.Ed program) students,

In preparation for the upcoming Jan 16th, 2019 PD sessions, we are sending this communication to you, so that you are informed about the expectations for the day and selection process for your desired PD sessions, being held on that date.

We would like all students to register for 4 different workshops.

The options available to students are:

1. Occasional Teaching - What You Need To Know
2. Report Card Basics
3. The Interview Process (Mock Interviews)
4. John Oliver vs Fox - Teaching Information Literacy in the Fake News era
5. Dealing with Volatile Situations - Diffusing Conflict (Students/Parents)
6. MakerSpace

There will be a table set up in the Heritage Place hallway to sign up in-person, for your workshops on the following dates:

          Tuesday Jan 8th, 2019 - 10:00 - 1:00pm
          Wednesday Jan 9th, 2019 - 10:00 -1:00pm

Note: There will be limited space in each of the workshops, so students are encouraged to sign up for their 4 choices as soon as possible.

On the day of the event, please plan to arrive at 8:30am to sign in - just outside the Council Chambers in Heritage Place.

More details about the event to follow, as the date approaches.

Until then, should you have any questions, please contact Denise Calvert (dcalvert@lakeheadu.ca)

Film Screening - Mother Nature's Child by Camilla Rockwell

The Education Student Teacher's Association of Orillia presents a film
screening of Mother Nature's Child: Growing Outdoors in the Media Age.

Two screenings at Heritage Place, in Room 7:
Wednesday, January 9th, 3:30-5:00 pm
Friday, January 11th, 2:30-4:00 pm

Following the film we will have a conversation with members of Orillia's
outdoor education community.

Limited seats available.  For more information or to reserve your spot,
email marigelh@lakeheadu.ca

Mock Exam Opportunities (Jan and Feb 2019) - Sign Up If Interested

The Faculty of Education has planned a couple different sittings to write "mock" math exams for any interested students to take advantage of, before the next official of sitting the exam on Thursday March 21st, 2019.

Those "Mock"  Exam opportunities are as follows:

Mock Sitting #1

Day: Thursday, Jan 24th, 2019
Time: 5-7pm
Rooms: OH007 and OH010

Mock Sitting #2

Day: Thursday, Feb 14th, 2019
Time: 5-7pm
Rooms:  OH007 and OH010

Please sign up for these mock exam opportunities in the Education Administration Office, starting Tuesday Jan 8th, 2019.