Ample Preparation for the Classroom
Jeremy Brocklehurst feels more than ready for a full-time career in the classroom, thanks to his studies at the University of Canterbury College of Education.
As he completes his Graduate Diploma of Teaching and Learning (Secondary), he is applying for jobs.
A Master in Science (Applied Psychology) graduate, he says teaching became a passion.
“When I was doing my master’s degree, I realised that I wanted to pursue teaching as a career. I had done some work as a youth worker, and found I was drawn to working in a school and helping people.”
Knowing people who had studied at the college made it an easy choice. “What I liked about the college was that you got a lot of course material specific to your chosen subjects.”
Although he was nervous before his first teaching practice at Shirley Boys’ High School, he soon settled in. He has completed his second practice at Ashburton College and is looking forward to teaching maths, physical education or social studies full time.
Aimed at university graduates, the 34-week diploma programme includes 14 weeks teaching practice divided into two seven-week blocks, says Secondary Teacher Education associate dean Neil Lancaster.
“Students come here to begin their learning process as a teacher. We provide examples of good teaching and encourage students to develop their own teaching philosophy. We also place a strong emphasis on reflective practice and continual professional growth.”
The programme aims to prepare students to teach in a technology- rich, socially diverse world, he says.
“As well as classroom management skills, we provide strategies to help teachers deliver the curriculum in a school environment.”
Offered twice a year at Christchurch, the Graduate Diploma is attractive to young and mature students, says Lancaster. “We can offer all the advantages of being on a large university campus.”
The college’s staff include academically trained teacher educators and those with extensive classroom experience. “That allows us to provide a mix of theory and practice — education grounded in the reality of schools. Many of our staff are national or international leaders in teacher education.
“We see teaching as a profession and equip our students to be able to make professional decisions.”
* For further information, phone
0800 827-748, or see www.education.canterbury.ac.nz
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