Internship Seminars Begin – Education News

Front (L-R) Jerry Orban, Manager, Student Placements and Field Experiences and Dr. Xia Ji, Director, Professional Development & Field Experiences. Students and cooperating teachers gather together to begin the Internship Seminar.

Amy Lawson, an internship seminar leader, role plays an intern’s cellphone conversation with a friend–none of it had to do with students, curriculum, or professional development, but she sure was having a good time!

Vince Baryluk, an internship seminar leader, role plays an overworked intern whose cooperating teacher not only uses him as a babysitter, but also can’t even remember his name.

Vicky Bonnell, Regina Catholic School Board Trustee

Jerry Orban, Manager, Student Placements and Field Experiences

One of seven internship seminars began today for a group of fourth year students who will be interning in schools for 16 weeks this fall. The 3-day internship seminar is where students and cooperating teachers meet, usually for the first time. The seminar helps students and their cooperating teachers begin a professional relationship in which they work collaboratively, with respect for one another.

At the assembly, various scenes were role played to show how issues can arise: the overworked, exploited intern; the intern who isn’t quite taking their internship seriously and so on. Dr. Xia Ji, the new Director of Student Placements and Field Experiences participated in the seminar this year. Manager, Jerry Orban works throughout the year to ensure all students have placements.

The Faculty of Education at the University of Regina places a strong emphasis on field experiences, which help students to integrate the theory they are learning in their programs with practical applications.