Faculty of Education Dean Dr. Ken Montgomery welcomes students into the teaching profession at the OTF pinning ceremony (MICHAEL WILKINS/University of Windsor)
By Kate Hargreaves
While September brings the start of the school year, November marks the beginning of practicum placements for teacher candidates in the Faculty of Education.
On Friday, Nov. 14, more than 350 first-year teacher candidates gathered in the Dennis Fairall Field House at the Toldo Lancer Centre to be officially welcomed into the teaching profession during the annual pinning ceremony.
Organized by the Teacher Education Liaison Committee alongside the Faculty of Education field experience office and program office teams, the event marked a significant milestone in the candidates’ burgeoning teaching careers.
“This event is always an exciting one for our candidates as they’re officially welcomed into the teaching profession,” said Leslie Borg, field experience coordinator in the Faculty of Education.
First-year teacher candidate Grace Maurice said that the ceremony made the transition into teaching feel more official and built up her excitement for her practicum in a kindergarten classroom.
Alexus Newman, who has a placement in Grade 3, agreed, saying that the pinning presentation "reignites the excitement of becoming a teacher.”
More than 350 first-year education students received pins during the ceremony (MICHAEL WILKINS/University of Windsor)
Prior to receiving their pins, teacher candidates heard from Yves Durocher, director, pension and economic affairs with the Ontario Teachers’ Federation (OTF) about the meaning of OTF membership.
Donald Garant, staff officer, counselling and member services department with the Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA) then presented on professional boundaries, sharing information on the ethical and legal responsibilities of teaching.
To close the event, each teacher candidate received a pin and made a statement about the kind of teacher they hope to become.
Then, led by Teacher Education Liaison Committee Chair Marisa Nabbout, the year-one teacher candidates took the Educator’s Oath, a pledge to uphold the values and commitments of the profession.
“This day meant so much to me because it’s an exciting milestone before our practicum placements,” said Lauren Pandolfi, who will be teaching Grade 9 STEM and 11 and 12 biology.
This first practicum is extra special for Pandolfi because she will be teaching at the same high school she attended.
“It’s an exciting full-circle moment to give back to the school that shaped me as the person I am today,” she said.
Jailyn Nicholson, whose placement is in a Grade 2 class, is also looking forward to practicum and taking her teaching skills into a real-world classroom.
“I’m also excited to have my associate teacher guide me in my professional relationships,” she says.
For Emma Carosella, who will be teaching Grades 2 and 3, the road to the teaching profession has been less direct, making the first practicum an important milestone.
“It means a lot to me because I didn’t think I’d be a teacher,” she explains, having attended school first for English literature and then for advertising and marketing.
“Getting to this milestone is showing me that I am on this journey, and I am doing something new in my career in education.”
Both year-one and year-two teaching candidates begin their fall practicum placements in November at schools across the region.
To learn more about teacher education programs, including how to apply for admission, visit the Faculty of Education website.
