International Teacher Development Program welcomes students from China’s Capital Normal University
On Monday, July 8, the College of Education officially welcomed undergraduate students from Beijing’s Capital Normal University (CNU) as part of the 2019 International Teacher Development Program summer course. The group arrived on campus July 1st and will be in Saskatoon for three months, returning to China in early October.
In collaboration with the college’s Saskatchewan Educational Leadership Unit (SELU), the 2019 cohort of students will be taking courses on the Professional and Organizational Context of Saskatchewan Schools; Teaching for Reconciliation in the K12 Curricula; Exceptional Learners; and Curriculum and Instruction for Saskatchewan Schools. The students will also be supported by teacher mentors from Saskatoon Public Schools, Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools and the Prairie Spirit School Division and will spend six days observing in the classroom.
“I would like to extend a heartfelt welcome to you from the College of Education and from our university,” said Dean Michelle Prytula to the group of 22 students during the welcome dinner. “The courses you are taking here have been thoughtfully selected for you and we hope you will enjoy them. They speak to teaching and learning in our province, to the importance of understanding treaty and Indigenization, and they also speak to what the environment is like in Saskatchewan for teachers and for students.”
Jin Qiao, student leader for the group, presented the College of Education with a beautiful scroll by famous calligrapher, educator and associate professor from CNU, Ouyang Zhonyshi. Translated, the scroll’s meaning is “only those who have thoughts can be brilliant and be remembered by people.”
“Our hope is that by coming here, we are successful, and that both our schools will be successful in the world through partnership,” said Qiao.
To read an article on Mr. Ouyang’s work and dedication to teaching Chinese culture and identity through calligraphy in the Confucious Institute magazine, click here.
