Category: Convocation

NTEP 2018 Graduates | Taloyoak, Nunavut

Master of Ceremonies James Eetoolook. He shared his experiences growing up in the community, and between speakers, spoke of the history of Nunavut. For example, he recounted when the school was established, and talked about being punished for speaking his language. He reminded the people how late Inuit were granted the right to vote. I thought he did a splendid job. Proud day for him — his daughter graduated from the program.
The grads being introduced to those gathered for the ceremony (most of the people from the community): Yolande Apalu, Corrine Boisvert, Kristen Eetoolook, Lenny Panigayak, and Casie Totalik-Holwell.
Sarah Takolik lighting the Qulliq. James reminded everyone that the people would not have survived without the Qulliq which provides heat and light.
Steve Snowball was given the honor of speaking about each graduate. As an instructor, and a member of the community for two years, Steve clearly got to know each one in special ways and did a splendid job of celebrating each grad’s gifts and strengths. James provided translation services.
Gloria Uluqsi and Steve Snowball presenting three special awards from Nunavut Arctic College and other gifts and accolades.
Sheila Kolola, President of Nunavut Arctic College, and a proud NTEP graduate, too, conferring the NAC degree. Students received diplomas from NAC and the University of Regina.

NTEP graduation was held at the school.

Photos and captions are by Dr. Valerie Mulholland, Associated Dean of Student Services and Undergraduate Programs, who attended the ceremony held in Taloyoak, Nunavut on June 5, 2018.

Spring Convocation 2018 Prize Recipients

Paula Stoker, BEAD prize recipient, Spring 2018 Convocation

Congratulations to Paula Stoker on receiving the Bachelor of Education After Degree (BEAD) Convocation Prize, which was established to encourage and recognize the most distinguished BEAD graduate, with an overall internship rating of “Outstanding” and the highest grade point average in the program.

Paula graduated with a Bachelor of Education (Elementary) with Great Distinction. During her studies in the Yukon Native Teacher Education Program (YNTEP), which is offered in cooperation with Yukon College in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Paula was the recipient of the Academic Silver Scholarship in 2017 and was on the Dean’s List in 2016 Fall, 2017 Winter, and 2018 Winter.

Born and raised in Whitehorse, Paula earned her first degree: Physical Education and Sports Studies from the University of Alberta in 1991. After following her passion for health, sports, and fitness, Paula came to the realization that she is a teacher at heart and that a classroom is where she is meant to be.

When the University of Regina decided to offer a Bachelor of Education After Degree program in cooperation with Yukon College, Paula jumped at the chance to finally become a certified teacher, “I am so very grateful for the opportunity to be able to get my Education Degree without having to leave my family and my Yukon home. Going back to school was a challenge at this stage of my life, but the many hands-on learning experiences in the YNTEP were so valuable and the opportunity to collaborate with and learn from my amazing classmates and teachers made the experience so enjoyable and worthwhile.”

Now that she has her Bachelor of Education, Paula will apply for a Yukon Teaching Certificate and looks forward to the opportunity to use her experience and education as a teacher in Whitehorse.

___________________________

Victoria Howe, STF Prize recipient, Spring 2018 Convocation

Congratulations to Victoria Howe (@MissVHowe) on receiving the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation (STF) Convocation Prize at the Spring 2018 Convocation. The STF prize recognizes the most distinguished Faculty of Education student, graduating with their first degree, who has an overall internship rating of “Outstanding” and the highest grade point average in the program.

Victoria graduated with a Bachelor of Education in Elementary Education with Great Distinction. During her studies, Victoria was the recipient of the Academic Silver Prize in 2016 and 2017. She was on the Dean’s List in 2015 Fall, 2016 Winter, 2016 Fall, 2017 Winter, and 2018 Winter.

Born and raised in Moose Jaw, Victoria attended Lindale and Caronport Elementary schools and graduated from Caronport High School.

Next, Victoria attended the University of Alberta and studied science. However, Victoria soon decided that a career working with children would be energizing and fulfilling. So she returned to Saskatchewan to attend the University of Regina’s Elementary Education program.

Victoria immensely enjoyed her three years in the Elementary program. During these years she engaged in many meaningful learning experiences, created very strong friendships, and grew greatly as an educator.

Her most memorable semester was her internship where she learned just how much teachers do for their students and just how rewarding the teaching profession can be.

While excelling in academics, Victoria’s love for dance and performing led her to join the Roughriders Cheer team. She volunteered on this team throughout her degree and continues to do so proudly. Victoria plans to substitute teach as she works on her Inclusive Education Certificate this upcoming fall. Upon completion of that certificate, Victoria hopes to pursue her Masters in Educational Psychology and then find work near her hometown of Moose Jaw.

 

Happy faces of our graduates

The happy faces of some our graduates after years of hard work. Many of the graduates photographed already have teaching jobs!  (Move your cursor over the photo below and click on the arrow to see the next photo.)

Spring 2018 Convocation

You will note that some of our students are holding two degrees! We offer select 5-year combined degrees programs in partnership with other Faculties (though it appears at least one of our students did this in 4 years–see tweets below).

We admit high school graduates to our undergraduate Education programs, and we offer After Degree (BEAD) programs for those who already have an accredited degree.

If you have credits from another accredited post-secondary degree program, we will see if they fit into your program as transfer credits.

If you have been internationally teacher educated, and need to become certified to teach in Canada, let us help you find your way back into the teaching profession.

You can now apply all year round, entering your Education program in all new terms.

If you are an educator looking for professional development, check out our graduate degree programs and certificates: https://www.uregina.ca/education/programs/index.html

Book an appointment with an advisor today to learn more about our Education programs: https://www.uregina.ca/education/programs/advising.html

Community-based master’s in educational administration program graduates

The Community-Based Master of Education Program in Educational Administration for Southeast Cornerstone SD #209 and Holy Family RCSSD #140 was designed to provide a unique cohort model of graduate education to educators in off-campus locations in order to more effectively link theory to local educational issues and practice.

Students in this cohort began their program in the summer of 2015. They finished in the summer of 2017.

Congratulations on your graduation!

Cohort of M.Ed. (Educational Administration) graduates (3 missing from photo) from Southeast Cornerstone SD #209 and Holy Family RCSSD #140
Graduates with instructor Gwen Keith and Dr. Larry Steeves
L-R Tania Gates, Wanneta Martin, Dr. Larry Steeves, Angela Kampert, Shauna Beylefeld, Anne Lauf

Cumberland College Bachelor of Education (U of R) students graduate

Bachelor of Education graduates. Back Row (L to R): Kourtney Kerelation, Shaunee Kobialko, Amy Kapeller, Lacey Wicks, Kaitlin Wesnoski, Shannon Cranch, Elise Fettes, Lorena Whitecap, Tarynn Freed, Oliver Head, Jenna Rudolph, Carmelle Kubat, Julie Rempel, Middle Row (L to R): Ashley Hobbins, Luc Casavant, Bernadette McKenzie, Payton Hiebert, Leanne Allen-Bader, Audrey Whitecap, Gillian Smith, Lolery George, Rubyann Dorion, Front Row (L to R): Michela Adlem (STF Prize recipient), Brenna Morris, Robyn Hildebrand, Rosanda Daniels, Melanie Ilnisky Also, unable to attend and not pictured are Alicia Garlock, Dora Morrow, and Kalen Reed. Jane Boehr/NIPAWIN JOURNAL

 

Local students to become local teachers

EMMA MELDRUM / PARKLAND REVIEW

MAY 3, 2017 09:46 AM

Cumberland College’s first group of four-year Bachelor of Education students are set to graduate this year and some have their eyes set on teaching positions in the Northeast.

Amy Kapeller of Tisdale did her teaching internship in Melfort at Brunswick School.

“It was a very good experience, and I liked working with that grade,” said Kapeller.

“Once we get our teaching certificates, then we can start looking for jobs,” she said. “I’d prefer Melfort or Tisdale, but anywhere in the Northeast that’s driveable to, I would work at.”

Melanie Ilnisky is one of several students who graduated a semester early. She’s already working a temporary contract position in a local Grade 5 classroom.

“This has been a great chance to get started and get ideas rolling into actions and trying out new things,” said Ilnisky. She’d like to stay in the area if she can.

“I love being around family and being in small communities, so that’s something that’s important to me, and I’d like to be able to stick around here if possible.”

As far as Ilnisky was aware, three of her early-graduating colleagues had found work close to home.

The Community-Based Bachelor of Education Program was offered at Cumberland’s Nipawin campus through the University of Regina.

Ilnisky, who is from Kinistino, was considering going to Saskatoon or Regina for school when she was offered a spot at Cumberland.

“I really liked the idea of being able to stick around family and close friends, and not having to spend the cost of going to the city, making that big move and finding a place to live and whatnot,” she said.

According to the college’s website, the program aims to “support potential students in becoming teachers within their own communities”. Cumberland hopes to train local students to become local teachers.

“That’s part of it,” said Mike Relland, who is director of community-based programs for the University of Regina. “It’s also accessibility for students. Not everyone can uproot their families and even if they’re young people, relocate to Regina or Saskatoon.”

The first four-year program was offered in Nipawin, but the new group of students starting in September will take their classes in Melfort.

“It’ll be a somewhat different cadre of courses, but otherwise it’s going to be basically the same,” said Relland.

Both Kapeller and Ilnisky noted that the small classes were a positive part of their learning experience.

Kapeller started school in Saskatoon before transferring to Cumberland.

“It was 30 people in your class compared to 300, and it was much more personal,” she said.

“It was great,” said Ilnisky. “We became like a little family.”

 

Celebrating success and remembering at Cumberland grads

The 28 graduates from the Tisdale campus. Review Photo/Devan C. Tasa

Graduations are a time to celebrate success, yet there was another purpose why people gathered at Cumberland College’s Nipawin grad: to remember.

Brenda Bakken received a posthumous bachelor of education degree. She had passed away suddenly during her third year of her degree.

“This affected our students greatly,” said Tom Weegar, the college’s president. “They’re a close-knit group, they’ve been going through all of their courses together and when one of the students passes, they’re all very deeply and profoundly affected by it.”

So the college worked with the University of Regina to get a posthumous degree for Bakken.

“I pay tribute to the University of Regina to being open to it and working with us very closely to do it, do it properly and do it well,” Weegar said.

The college president said Bakken was on the minds of the graduates as they accepted the first degrees from the joint program.

“It was just really nice to finish up with that and provide the students with closure, and the family closure as well.”

The Nipawin graduation ceremony was held May 31. The Melfort ceremony was held the day before, on May 30, and the Tisdale ceremony was held June 1. There were 158 graduates from across the region.

Weegar said the ceremonies celebrate the success of the college’s students.

“That’s a really big thing. We watch our students walk across the stage and they’re different people than the students that have come to us,” he said. “They’re confident, they’re knowledgeable and they’ve got a greater sense as to where they want to go and what they want to be.”

The graduates were from the adult basic education, business certificate, office administration, bachelor of education, continuing care assistant and practical nursing programs.

In terms of that last program, Weegar said nursing students that go on to get licensed receive an average of 97 per cent on the exam. The national average is in the low 90s.

The president said he’s proud of the graduates and pleased to be part of a personal transformation. He added later that he stepped out into the hall during the ceremonies and overheard how some of these students take care of children while they get an education.

“I say to myself sometimes: that’s why I consider our students to be heroes because they overcome things like crazy. They have two babies and they still get their Grade 12, they still get a B.Ed degree,” he said. “I could never do that. Not a hope in heck I could do that. I’m just amazed by our students’ capabilities.”

Bachelor of Education
Michela Adlem
Tarynn Freed
Amy Kapeller
Julie Rempel
Leanne Allen-Bader
Alicia Garlock
Kourtney Kerelation
Jenna Rudolph
Brenda Bakken
Lolery George
Shaunee Kobialko
Gillian Smith
Luc Casavant
Oliver Head
Carmelle Kubat
Kaitlin Wesnoski
Shannon Cranch
Payton Hiebert
Bernadette McKenzie
Audrey Whitecap
Rosanda Daniels
Robyn Hildebrand
Brenna Morris
Lorena Whitecap
Rubyann Dorion
Ashley Hobbins
Dora Morrow
Lacey Wicks