Sharon Langer

Summary

Cheryl Anger, a faculty member at Memorial University's Grand Falls campus, shares insights about the teacher training program she oversees. She highlights the immersive experience students gain through trips to Kill Devil, where they engage with Grade 5 students, integrate Indigenous teachings, and participate in hands-on learning activities like science hikes, poetry writing, and crafting medicine bags. These experiences help pre-service teachers connect with nature, learn about Indigenous cultures, and foster authentic learning environments. Cheryl emphasizes the program's success in preparing future educators, particularly for working in Indigenous communities.

Takeaways

• 😀 Cheryl Anger is a faculty member at Memorial University, specializing in teacher education at the Grand Falls campus in Corner Brook.
• 😀 Cheryl has over 31 years of teaching experience in the public school system and has been working in her current role for nearly five years.
• 😀 The program Cheryl teaches is an 18-month fast-track program for pre-service teachers, which requires a degree before entry and includes six courses per term.
• 😀 One of the standout features of the program is an intensive 13-week internship that students complete before their final semester.
• 😀 Cheryl integrates field trips to Kill Devil with grade 5 students at the start of the program, which helps students connect to practical teaching experiences.
• 😀 Kill Devil provides a rich experiential learning environment where pre-service teachers observe grade 5 students interacting with nature, helping them to see the benefits of outdoor education.
• 😀 The program has evolved to include indigenous teachings and learnings, greatly strengthening the overall curriculum.
• 😀 Students learn important lessons about indigenous cultures, including how to make medicine bags, engage in smudging, and respect nature's resources.
• 😀 The program fosters a deep sense of community and connection among students, with shared experiences like sleeping in the same space and participating in group activities.
• 😀 Many students continue to focus on indigenous education even after completing the program, applying it to their future work in classrooms and communities.
• 😀 Cheryl emphasizes the importance of preparing teachers for working in diverse communities, especially remote indigenous ones, to ensure they are ready to teach with respect for all cultures.

Q & A

What is Cheryl's background in education?

Cheryl has taught for 31 years in the public school system and has been working at Memorial University for the last four to five years in the Faculty of Education.

What is the focus of the program Cheryl teaches?

Cheryl teaches an 18-month fast-track program for pre-service teachers in the Faculty of Education, focusing on preparing them for classroom teaching through coursework and a 13-week internship.

What is the significance of the Kill Devil trip for the students?

The Kill Devil trip is crucial for pre-service teachers as it provides them with an authentic, immersive learning experience. They interact with grade 5 students, participate in various outdoor activities, and experience indigenous teachings.

How does the Kill Devil trip benefit students academically?

The trip integrates various subjects like science, language arts, and indigenous studies, offering hands-on learning opportunities such as weather measurement, writing poetry outdoors, and learning about indigenous culture.

How has the Kill Devil program evolved over the years?

Originally focused on grade 5 curriculum subjects, the program has evolved to include more indigenous teachings, such as smudging, medicine bags, and sustainable practices in nature, making it a more powerful and well-rounded experience.

What impact does the Kill Devil trip have on the students' bonding?

The trip fosters strong bonds among the students, as they share experiences like traveling together, staying in the same location, and participating in group activities. This creates a close-knit community at the start of their program.

What kind of behavioral observations did Cheryl make during the trip?

Cheryl noted that students were amazed by the behavior of the grade 5 students, who were engaged and cooperative, contrary to expectations of behavioral difficulties. This experience highlighted the power of outdoor learning environments.

What role did indigenous teachings play in the Kill Devil program?

Indigenous teachings were integrated into the program, with students learning about indigenous ways of life, smudging ceremonies, and the importance of taking only what is needed from nature. These teachings provided a deeper understanding and appreciation of indigenous culture.

How does the Kill Devil program prepare future educators for working in diverse communities?

The program prepares future educators by exposing them to indigenous knowledge and practices, which are crucial for understanding and teaching in remote and indigenous communities. This cultural sensitivity is important for their future roles as teachers.

Why does Cheryl believe the Kill Devil program is one of the most amazing parts of the pre-service teacher program?

Cheryl believes the Kill Devil program is powerful because it gives students a unique opportunity to experience experiential learning, engage with nature, and understand indigenous perspectives, which helps shape them into more empathetic and knowledgeable educators.