This four-year education undergraduate degree program, offered jointly by the University of Saskatchewan and the University of Regina, is based in La Ronge. Northern residents, preferably with fluency in an Aboriginal language, are provided the opportunity to become certified teachers in this largely field-based program.
“NORTEP has given me an opportunity to further my education and fulfi
ll my goal of being an educator. NORTEP is an enjoyable program. The
atmosphere is warm and inviting and full of supportive and caring faculty
and staff. NORTEP is our own little community made up of other various
communities, coming together as one. These are just a few points which
make NORTEP a wonderful place to attend University. I am so fortunate
and grateful to be attending this program in my home community of La
Ronge. I am proud to say that I am a role model to my family, community
and future students. "
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Sarah Studer, Student
This La Ronge based program provides the opportunity for residents from over 45 northern communities to take classes towards a Bachelor of Education and still remain close to their families and home.
Field experiences are an integral part of the education program at the University of Saskatchewan, and will enable teacher candidates to integrate theoretical and practical knowledge about teaching as they observe students and work with individuals and small groups as well as whole classes. The faculty team and field experience coordinators will engage with teacher candidates in practical field experiences, to provide opportunities for discussion about what is learned, and to understand in depth the role of schools and teaching in Canadian society.
The field experiences offered will not simply be a chance to practice ideas learned in university classes, but will support the developing understanding of what it means to be a teaching professional. Teacher candidates will learn from many teachers and support staff in school settings, from the members of a faculty team, and from peers. Teacher candidates will also be encouraged to undertake a range of teaching and learning activities in the field throughout the program, but especially in student teaching and the internship.
Student teaching will take a variety of forms from short school visits on a weekly basis to three week long teaching periods depending on the program chosen. Internship occurs in the final year of the program, is sixteen weeks in length and allows for deep exploration and involvement in classroom and school activities, under the mentorship and support of both an experienced teacher and college supervisor.
NORTEP students have a two-week field practicum in the spring (MAY/JUNE) of their second year. In their third year NORTEP students are given the opportunity to practice teach for a total of 11 weeks (five weeks in the fall semester and six weeks in the winter semester). These 11 weeks are called pre-internship and are intermittent, as students attend education classes which pertain to their practicum experience between the individual field weeks. In other words, they have an opportunity to apply the theory/skills they have learned in their university classes. The fourth year begins with an Internship which consists of the student teacher being completely immersed in a collegial field placement from the first day of school in the fall until the Christmas break. There is a full-time teaching block of 15 consecutive days which occurs during the month of November.
Applicants must be Northern residents. That is, they must have lived in northern Saskatchewan for at least ten years or half their life. As well, applicants must have a Grade 12 or qualify as a mature student (be 21 years of age and have a strong academic background.) Preference is given to students who are willing and able to study away from their home community; are fluent in Aboriginal language (Cree or Dene); have a commitment to achieving a professional career; and have the ability and interest in working with school-age children.
Details about the application process are available at nortep-norpac.webs.com/.
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