Summer Arts 2008
During the month of July, students from grades 3-8 participated in an enriched visual arts, dance, drama or music experience. They learned the importance of collaboration in the design and completion of a major piece for performance or in the creation of a gallery exhibit. Teachers were assisted by students in the arts education program at York and local senior students interested in careers in the visual or performing arts. Students learned the skills of teamwork, leadership, problem-solving and creative thinking. The theme of this year’s Summer Arts Camp was Heal the World where students learned about healing the earth- 3R’s( reduce, reuse, recycle) taking care of the environment, healing past wrongs – discussions of Aboriginal culture and residential schooling, and healing social injustices – including poverty and discrimination.
Student Awards Reception 2008
On Thursday, October 16th the Faculty of Education celebrated the achievements of its alumni and graduates at the second annual Student Awards Reception. Over 70 guests attended to congratulate and acknowledge 7 graduates who exemplified excellence in education.
Future teachers learn how to integrate the arts into the classroom
On Friday September 26th the Richmond Hill site held its annual Arts Education Day where teacher candidates learned how to integrate the arts as a part of the learning environment in their classrooms. Kathy Lundy, Coordinator of the Faculty of Education’s Destination Arts Project facilitated the day which covered the genres of drama, dance, and visual arts.
SuOn College
The Faculty of Education at York University has been working in close collaboration with the Jiangsu Department of Education, PR China since July 2006. At that time, several delegations from Jiangsu visited York as part of a larger set of agreements with Ontario, which has been Jiangsu’s “sister province” since 1985. In 2007, Jiangsu Educational Services for International Exchange (JESIE), a branch of the Department of Education, officially opened a post-secondary training centre in North York. This centre, called SuOn—a name derived from the two provinces’ names—provides visiting educators with the ability to reside and participate in a range of short-term programs delivered by the Faculty of Education, some in collaboration with the York University English Language Institute (YUELI). To date, the Faculty of Education has delivered programs to teachers at the primary, secondary and college levels and is now planning a series of programs for newly-graduated teachers, as well as programs for school administrators. JESIE expects to send some 800 educators to SuOn each year in order to engage in programs with York and other Ontario universities.