We use cookies on this site to enhance your experience.
By selecting “Accept” and continuing to use this website, you consent to the use of cookies.
Search for academic programs, residence, tours and events and more.
Wilfrid Laurier University’s Faculty of Education offers a two-year consecutive teacher education program on our Waterloo and Brantford campuses. Graduates of this program earn a Bachelor of Education (BEd) degree. The program qualifies candidates to be recommended for Ontario Teacher Certification in the Primary/Junior divisions (Kindergarten to grade 6), Primary/Junior French as a Second Language (Kindergarten to grade 6), or the Junior/Intermediate divisions (grades 4 to 10) with specializations in the following subject areas: English, French as a Second Language, Geography, Health and Physical Education, History, Instrumental Music, Vocal Music, Mathematics, or General Science. There will be a new teachable area related to First Nations, Inuit, and Métis courses in Grades 9 and 10 offered depending on enrolments.
The program is designed to meet all Ontario legislated requirements and incorporates the Standards of Practice and Ethical Standards for the Teaching Profession of the Ontario College of Teachers.
Our program is based on a Professional Development School (PDS) model. Teacher Candidates are normally placed in one school for Year 1 and another school for Year 2. Such a model affords Teacher Candidates the opportunity to establish close, personal, and interactive professional relationships with school personnel and communities. You will continually integrate the theory you learn in your university classes with the teaching experiences of your placements. The Professional Development School (PDS) model has been recognized as a key strength of our program and differentiates us among Faculties of Education within Ontario.
Your practicum placement includes both blocks of continuous placement as well as practicum days (often Mondays) during course-work weeks.
In your first year, you’ll have two practicum placements (one in Fall and one in Winter) which include weekly Practicum Days (during weeks when you are in class at Laurier).
In your second year, you’ll have two additional practicum placements (one in Fall and one in Winter) plus weekly Practicum Days similar to Year One. You’ll finish your course work in early February and then engage in a final 8-week block practicum placement. This final placement will support your transition from student-teacher to practicing professional, as you work collaboratively with an Associate Teacher.
Laurier has partnered with the Avon Maitland, Bluewater, Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic, Bruce Grey Catholic, Grand Erie, Halton, Halton Catholic, Hamilton-Wentworth, Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic, Huron-Perth Catholic, London District Catholic, Six Nations Schools, Thames Valley, Upper Grand, Waterloo Catholic, Waterloo Region and Wellington Catholic district school boards to provide you with extensive, in-depth and sustained practical experiences. All of your practicum placements must occur with these partners. They understand our program’s conceptual framework and are committed to providing you with excellent teaching and learning opportunities.
International Classroom Experience
Did you realize you could be in classrooms around the world to gain this experience? Laurier graduate Sarah Fischer travelled with Professor Steve Sider on a service-learning trip to Haiti. “It would be fitting to say that this trip has changed my life in an abundance of ways — mostly the way I see the education system and the way I see developing nations,” says Sarah. “Taking the time to see all aspects of the culture in Haiti, including the different school systems and the malnourishment center, gave me the chance to reflect on the bigger picture.”
The Faculty of Education at Wilfrid Laurier University understands the critical need to rethink the delivery and content of teacher education that is more inclusive of Indigenous Peoples of Canada. We are committed to the work of decolonizing our practices by first and foremost recognizing and accepting the reality of Canada’s colonial history. We are also committed to decolonizing our curricula and educational practices.
We begin this process by dialoguing with our Indigenous community partners and with a good heart and mind, to Indigenize our practices by infusing Indigenous content – teaching, worldviews, knowledges and perspectives – in all of our courses. To this end, we take seriously the responsibility of taking the steps in the reconciliation process to move beyond the critical work of truth seeking and telling to creating meaningful action.
We aim to raise awareness about Indigenous Peoples of Canada to replace intolerance (e.g., racism, stereotypes) instead to celebrating and honouring First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples of Canada. Furthermore, we aim to promote greater awareness and knowledge about Indigenous cultures and concerns to critically evaluate how schools can better incorporate culturally sensitive curricula and teaching methods, while building stronger relationships with First Nations, Inuit and Métis students, families, and communities.
We strive to:
In addition, Laurier’s Indigenous Student Centres offer resources to both Indigenous and non-Indigenous learners who are studying at Laurier.
Laurier offers a variety of practical teaching experiences both locally and globally. In 2023, it is anticipated that there will be international teaching experiences as part of the Alternative Placements. In the past, Laurier Faculty of Education has planned trips to schools in Haiti, Nepal, Egypt, China, Italy and Finland.