The Faculty of Education at Laurier is committed to utilizing and researching collective and inclusive approaches that address the complex challenges associated with teaching and learning. We actively build authentic and meaningful connections, collaborations and partnerships with our students and our community.

As a graduate of Laurier's Education program, you will be knowledgeable, highly skilled and confident as you begin your teaching career. We welcome you to join us in this journey to a challenging yet rewarding career in education.

Dynamic Classroom Experience

Our Education faculty members love teaching and learning! It’s evident in the dynamic way they conduct their programs and learning seminars. Our classes are engaging, interactive and have a favourable student-to-instructor ratio.

There are many program elements that respond to global competencies such as critical thinking, communication, collaboration, creativity and innovation, and problem-solving. The integration of varied technologies within course content enables you to select and use the most appropriate technologies for teaching and learning. Indigenous content and ways of knowing permeate all of our courses. Finally, all of this learning comes to life in approximately 150 days of practical experience in classrooms or other teaching contexts.

Alternative Placement

Within the first year of the BEd program, you will have a three-week alternative education placement where you will apply teaching and learning skills outside the regular kindergarten to Grade 12 (K-12) school system. You may also apply for international teaching opportunities as available. Past alternative placements have included schools located in First Nations communities, programs in settings like children’s mental health centres, residential or group homes, museums, and outdoor education centres. In the past, Teacher Candidates have completed their alternative placements in international settings such as Haiti, Nepal, China, and Egypt. For 2023, there are some international placements planned, as may be permitted by travel guidelines. The alternative placement provides you with valuable experiences that may not be available at your Laurier Partner School.

Practicum Placement Five

To support Teacher Candidates’ transition to practicing professional teachers, Teacher Candidates conclude their practicum placement with an extended, 10-week placement at the end of second year. In this placement, you will work collaboratively with an Associate Teacher to reflect on your emerging teaching practice and construction of professional knowledge. The extended practicum provides extensive opportunities for varied classroom and school experiences that will deepen your knowledge of current Ontario curricula and educational policies and allow you to demonstrate and build your professional teaching abilities.

Learn From the Best

Laurier’s learning environment helps each of our Teacher Candidates to succeed. With many small classes, you'll enjoy a favourable student-to-instructor ratio in dynamic courses and professional learning seminars. You'll receive constant support and instruction from our talented and committed faculty members and associate teachers, setting you up for success.

Teaching and Learning for All Learners Across the Curriculum

The four semesters of the program build from an introduction to teaching to critical and creative professional knowledge and skills: 

• First semester: Building Foundations in Teaching
• Second semester: Building Content Knowledge
• Third semester: Reaching Every Learner
• Fourth semester: Connecting Foundations and Content to Reach Every Learner

Throughout the program, you will build a deep understanding of teaching, learning and assessment in each curriculum area and learn how to integrate instruction and assessment across curriculum areas to prepare them for their futures. The six quarter-credit courses that make up the Diversity Series provide intentional, specialized focus on equity and diversity, mental health, Indigenous topics in education, special education and English or multi-language learners. A course in self-regulated learning enables you to support students to succeed as self-aware, goal-directed and strategic learners.

Knowledge Creation

With the assistance of faculty, Principals and Associate Teachers, you will integrate your interests with the needs of your Laurier Partner School to complete a Collaborative Inquiry-Based Research Project. You will apply what you learn in your classroom observations and course work to investigate stimulating topics of interest, for example, the impact of diverse technology, such as virtual manipulatives, on instructional methods in mathematics. 

21st-Century Learning and Technology

Technology is an integral part of teaching and learning in our program. You will have access to current and emerging technologies for your learning and instruction at your school sites. You are required to use a device that will support your digital learning. Detailed information about the minimum hardware requirements will be sent to successful applicants when they receive their offer of admission.

Flexible Learning Spaces

Laurier's active learning classrooms create student-centred learning environments that encourage and facilitate active and collaborative teaching approaches. These classrooms include folding and moveable tables and advanced technologies that allow students to collaborate and share their work with their group or the entire class. In this way, instructors model cutting-edge pedagogies to our Teacher Candidates for maximum student engagement.

Professional Teaching Orientation Sessions

You'll begin your teacher education career at Laurier with a mandatory dynamic professional learning orientation experience. During the orientation sessions, you will meet other students and instructors in the program, participate in interactive team-building activities, tour the campus, become acquainted with your school and learn about other resources available to you at Laurier. 

Post-Graduation Mentoring

Laurier’s Career Centre provides support for all our graduates through mentoring, resume building, mock interviews and other services that will help you prepare for future employment. You'll also have the opportunity to network with your peers and to attend professional development seminars on topics of interest to you.