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Class in session for future educators at Laurier’s Brantford campus

Class in session for future educators at Laurier’s Brantford campus

Dec. 21, 2022

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Enter the Carnegie Building at Laurier’s Brantford campus, and the colourful bulletin boards, discussions of pedagogy and hands-on art and science projects underway will be telltale signs that you’re in the presence of future educators.

In September of 2022, Laurier’s Faculty of Education welcomed its first class to the Bachelor of Education program at Brantford. Funding for this sought-after program was approved by the Province of Ontario and announced by Brantford-Brant MPP Will Bouma in Spring of 2022. The program filled quickly, and is now home to 70 students, within the Primary-Junior division (Junior Kindergarten to Grade Six) and Junior-Intermediate division (Grades Four to Ten).

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Brantford-Brant MPP Will Bouma and Minister of Colleges and Universities Jill Dunlop visit Laurier’s Brantford campus in fall 2022.

The Brantford campus program replicates the existing Bachelor of Education program at the Waterloo campus. The multi-campus offerings provide options for those seeking teacher education, helping reduce barriers to access while graduating the teachers needed to serve families and students in Ontario and beyond.

“We’re very pleased with the excellent quality of teacher candidates we have in our first-ever class here at Laurier’s Brantford campus,” said Maria Cantalini-Williams, Dean of the Faculty of Education. “The students hail from across Ontario and bring with them very diverse educational and employment experiences. They’ve already formed great bonds with faculty/staff members and with each other.”

A Warm Community Welcome

Laurier’s Brantford campus was established thanks to grassroots community support, a tradition that continues with the addition of teacher education. Students in the inaugural Brantford Bachelor of Education class had the opportunity to qualify for a one-time, $1,000 studentship. These funds, used to help defray their educational costs, were provided in part thanks to several generous donors. Collectively they contributed $67,000, providing all incoming students with a grant.

“The timing between the approval of our seats and the start of the program was much accelerated,” said Cantalini-Williams. “To see this kind of generous outpouring of support come in so quickly speaks volumes about Brantford-Brant, and demonstrates the community is invested in supporting quality education for future teachers. This philanthropic support created a wonderful and warm welcome for our first class at the Brantford campus.”

Built on Partnerships

In keeping with the ethos of the Brantford campus, Laurier’s Bachelor of Education program adopts the “it takes a village” approach, forging relationships to create opportunities that benefit student teachers, partners, and the community as a whole.

Physical Education classes take place at the jointly owned Laurier Brantford YMCA, and teacher candidates have practicum placements with associate teachers across 12 partner school boards, including the Grand Erie District School Board, Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board, and public and Catholic school boards in Waterloo Region, Wellington, Avon-Maitland, Hamilton-Wentworth and Halton.

Those placements will be facilitated by Laura Romano, who joined Laurier in November of 2022 after an impressive career as a principal and superintendent with the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board, and Bruce Alexander, who has worked as a placement officer with the Faculty of Education at Laurier’s Waterloo campus for many years.

“Laura is an incredibly experienced, talented and dedicated educator,” said Gary Slater, Manager of Experiential Learning. “Our students will benefit greatly from her knowledge, connections and strategic guidance.”

The Faculty of Education is also exploring internal partnerships by identifying undergraduate programs that might be a natural fit for pathways into the Bachelor of Education.

“With the undergraduate program offerings at Laurier Brantford, there are likely many students who may be looking for a career in education,” said Cantalini-Williams. “We’re pleased that obtaining a Bachelor of Education degree on the Brantford campus is now an option.”

Anyone interested in learning more about the Bachelor of Education program at Laurier’s Brantford campus is encouraged to check out the Bachelor of Education program page or email eduadmissions@wlu.ca.

Bachelor of Education Quick Facts

  • Two-year, full-time BEd program.
  • Students can opt for the primary/junior division (Kindergarten to Grade Six) or junior/intermediate division (Grades Four to Ten).
  • Immersive learning through five practicum placement blocks (approximately 150 days of practicum experience).
  • Practicum placements are available in 12 different school boards.

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