Niitsitapi Teacher Education Program

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In partnership with Red Crow Community College, the Faculty of Education at the University of Lethbridge is offering the Niitsitapi Teacher Education Program.

After Degree students may complete the degree as a four-semester program, while undergraduate students can complete the program as a five-year Combined Degrees program. The Niitsitapi Teacher Education Program officially begins in August 2018. The first courses students complete are Kipatapisanooni I and II which are designed to address Blackfoot language, values, and ways of knowing, all of which form the foundations of the program.

Indigenous students interested in being capable, caring and dedicated teachers with the attitudes, personal attributes and potential to work effectively with Blackfoot children and youth are invited to apply. This program is designed to meet all of the expectations and competencies within the Alberta Teaching Quality Standard, but will further specialize in preparing teachers for teaching within the Blackfoot culture. Students will receive a broad range of practical experiences from school — elementary to secondary — with a strong emphasis on integrating theory with practice. Students develop a strong knowledge base in the subject area(s) they intend to teach, including both general and subject area instructional methods.
The University’s commitment to Liberal Education requires Combined Degrees students to spend two years of study (16 - 20 courses) in the Faculty of Arts and Science, Faculty of Fine Arts, or Dhillon School of Business before being admitted to the Faculty of Education. After admission to the Faculty of Education, students must complete a minimum of two years study (20-course equivalents), including three Professional Semesters and 27 weeks of practicum.
Upon completion, graduates will receive a Bachelor of Education degree and will be recommended to Alberta Education for teacher certification. This certificate permits a graduate to teach Grades K-12 in the Province of Alberta.

Program Outline

For information on the pre-Education program, please contact Student Program Services at edu.sps@uleth.ca. Students must complete Education 2500 (or its equivalent) prior to application. Students who have already earned a degree may have additional courses to complete in the major. The outline below identifies the program components in Education completed after admission.

August 2018
• two half courses pertaining to Blackfoot culture (language, values and ways of knowing)

Fall 2018: Professional Semester I
• Curriculum and Instruction
• Educational Psychology
• Language in Education
• Evaluation of Learning
• Teaching Seminar
• Communication Technology
• Practicum (5 weeks)

Spring 2019: Professional Semester II
• Curriculum and Instruction for Majors
• Educational Psychology of Exceptional Learners
• Social Context of Schooling
• Evaluation of Student Learning
• Practicum (6 weeks)

Fall 2019
• one Education Foundation (History, Sociology, or Philosophy of Education)
• two Education electives

Spring 2020: Professional Semester III - Niitsitapi
• Teaching Internship (approximately 15 weeks)

Students apply to the Faculty of Education by teachable subject major - Art, CTS: Business or New Media, Drama, English, Math, Modern Languages, Music, Native Education, Physical Education, Science, or Social Studies.

Admission Requirements
• A minimum of 16 semester courses (48 credit hours)
• A minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.50 on all U of L and transferable courses taken within the semesters containing the last 16 courses (48 credit hours). Those applicants with a GPA of 2.00 - 2.49 may be admitted with additional criteria. All courses must be graded with the exception of Education 2500.
• A minimum number of courses in a teaching subject major
• A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50 out of 4.00 on all graded courses comprising the major. Those applicants with a GPA of 2.00 - 2.49 may be admitted with additional criteria.
• Credit in Education 2500 – Orientation to Teaching or equivalent – including a favourable recommendation from the instructor.

Education 2500 is comprised of two components: an on-campus seminar and 60 hours of practicum in a school. Students may complete this U of L course in May/June and still be eligible for admission consideration in August of the same year. A waiver of Education 2500 may be considered.
• Note: Those applicants with a Native Education major will have additional admission requirements.

Application deadline is MAY 1, 2018
Document deadline is JUNE 1, 2018

Limited seats are available. Successful applicants will be notified as early as possible and no later than
July, 2018.

For information on the Niitsitapi Teacher Education Program please contact:
Student Program Services
edu.sps@uleth.ca
403-329-2254
TH421

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becomeateacher.ca
uleth.ca/education
Twitter: @ULethbridgeEdu

For more information contact:

Darcy Tamayose
Communications Officer
Dean's Office
Faculty of Education
(403) 332-4550
darcy.tamayose@uleth.ca