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About 75 area high school students attended the Increasing Teacher Diversity event at Laurier Brantford on Wednesday morning aimed at getting them interested in a career as an educator.

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Dr. Jennifer Straub, assistant professor in the faculty of education said the event began a few years ago at Laurier’s Waterloo campus as part of the Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Indigenization Coalition.

“One of the pieces we’re really passionate about is increasing the diversity of teachers in Ontario. A lot of our B. Ed. candidates go into classrooms and might see that the teachers don’t look like the students,” Straub observed. “We want students who are perhaps new Canadians to consider becoming a teacher, and one of the pieces to that is making universities accessible, bringing the students to campus to see it’s a great, vibrant place to be with many opportunities.”

She said area high schools were invited to select students to participate who had shown an interest in becoming teachers, or those who were good candidates but didn’t have the confidence to consider post-secondary education.

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“This is a great opportunity within the school environment where students can ask questions in a low-risk environment about what it’s like to be a university student and they get a great tour,” said Straub. “Some of them have never been to campus and they live right down the street.”

Students were able to visit information booths from two local school boards, and talk with representatives from Laurier’s career centre, student success, and financial services.

In her opening remarks, Dr. Maria Cantalini-Williams, dean of the faculty of education at Laurier reminded high school students about the power of becoming a teacher and the difference they can make.

“You transform lives, you make an impact, and you make memories for your students,” she said. “We want our classrooms to have teachers who look like the students in their classrooms: Indigenous teachers and other teachers from equity-deserving groups need to be at the front of our classrooms.”

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Cantalini-Williams was later asked if the aim to increase diversity among teachers may discourage some from pursuing a career in education.

“At this time, there is a well-documented shortage of qualified teachers at many school boards across Canada,” said Cantalini-Williams. “Laurier is pleased to play a role in helping educate and prepare enthusiastic, professional, and diverse educators, committed to helping Ontario students thrive.”

She added that an employment survey showed that more than 85 per cent of Laurier Education alumni now work in schools within 100 kilometres of Laurier’s Brantford and Waterloo campuses.

Dr. Pam Malins, assistant professor in the faculty of education, explained that a teaching option can be added to anyone’s undergraduate studies at the outset or part way through their program, giving them the flavour of what education is all about, especially if they’re going to be working with youth.

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“The direct entry is something you intentionally indicate when you apply,” she noted. “It’s as close as we can get to a concurrent education program right now that allows students to be keeping their path of teaching in mind all the way through.

“There are experiential learning placements and certain education courses that allow them to apply the things they’re learning in their undergrad with a teaching lens.”

Qeu Quimado, a 16-year-old student at W. Ross Macdonald School for the Blind, said she hopes to become a music teacher.

“I used to volunteer with kids at my school, helping them with music,” she shared. “I really love teaching kids. Just the joy on their faces when they play their first ukulele chord. I like seeing that joy and having them being on that journey.”

Fellow W. Ross Macdonald student Livya Flinsenberg said that while she’s unsure what she wants to do career-wise, she enjoys working with children.

“I work with the young kids, and I like being part of their day,” she said. “They’re happy and fun to work with, and happy to learn. It’s just a good experience.”

bethompson@postmedia.com

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