Held May 11-12, 2006 at Thompson Rivers University, Kamloops, British Columbia.

Another very successful Teacher Education Roundtable Conference was held May 11-12 2006, at Thompson Rivers University, hosted by the School of Education. Dean Kathryn McNaughton and her Education faculty colleagues warmly welcomed sixty-five persons who represented the eight teacher education institutions in BC, as well as the University College of the Fraser Valley which is launching a new teacher education program in the province in September 2006. Delegates from the BC College of Teachers, the B.C. Teachers’ Federation, and the Federation of Independent Schools Associations were also present. The Drum and Song group from Sk’elep School of Excellence honoured the delegates with a welcome song.

The guest speaker was Dr. Terry Sullivan, Superintendent of the Kamloops-Thompson School District #73, who addressed the conference theme “School-University Partnerships,” including an encouraging account of the vibrant relationships that can exist between school districts and teacher education institutions.

Also presenting were two members of the Faculty of Education, University of Victoria, Luanne Krawetz and Tim Hopper, who told of their ongoing work with children, schools, and teachers in Afghanistan. Charlotte Holten, a teacher in Victoria who has been actively involved in this partnership, joined her university colleagues in providing her perspective from the classroom.

ABCDE presented its second Teacher Educator of the YearAward, this year to an outstanding Burnaby teacher, Susan Montabello. Susan was nominated by Simon Fraser University Faculty of Education for her remarkable work in her school, in her community, and with student teachers.

BC Teacher Education Roundtable Conference
                           
Held May 11, 2005 
 
Hosted by Trinity Western University School of Education, Langley
Sponsored by the Association of B.C. Deans of Education
 
http://www.twu.ca/education/conference.aspx

The purpose of the conference each year is to provide a venue for sharing ideas, discussing common concerns, and gaining new insights into best practices for teacher education.

Faculty, faculty associates, and staff members from B.C.’s eight approved teacher education programs were joined by representatives from various educational stakeholder groups, including the B.C. College of Teachers, the BCTF, and the Ministry of Education.

The program featured a keynote address by Meguido Zola, Director of SFU’s  Professional Development Program. The conference included sessions which highlighted new developments in the various programs, as well as other issues of concern.  One focus was implementation of the Letter of Understanding signed last year by the Council of the B.C. College of Teachers and the Deans of Education (ABCDE) in connection with the review and approval of teacher education programs in the eight member institutions of the ABCDE.

The conference also included an evening panel discussion on accountability and assessment in B.C. schools. Speakers on the panel discussion, chaired by Dr; Paul Shaker, Dean of Education, Simon Fraser University, included Hugh Burke (Principal, Meadowridge School, Maple Ridge), Anita Chapman (Assistant Director, Professional Social Issues Division, B.C.T.F.), Iain Fisher, (Teacher, North Surrey Secondary School), Jan Hare (Language and Literacy Education, U.B.C.), Sandra Mathison (Head, Education and Counselling Psychology and Special Education, U.B.C.), Monica Pamer (Lead Director, Achievement and Assessment Department, B.C. Ministry of Education), Don Truscott, (Superintendent, Langley School District #35), and Terri Watson (President, B.C. Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils).

Dede DeRose, Principal, Kamloops-Thompson School District #73, was recipient of ABCDE’s first Teacher Education Award. HarroVan Brummelen, ABCDE Chair, made the presentation.