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Teo home > Programs > Teacher Education (BEd) > Middle Years > Learn More...
Shep Alexander - Faculty Advisor
 Teaching in the middle years is about the excitement of helping 10 to 14 year-olds learn. Guiding students through their journey from childhood to adolescence is a process that is never dull; it is filled with questions, challenges, thoughtful discussions, emotional outbursts, new beginnings, laughter and fun. Middle Schools take students "too old" for elementary school and "too young" for high school and provide them with unique school community that celebrates their talents and supports their learning during those transitional years. Students thrive in this environment making real contributions through involvement. Teachers and students cooperate, learn and grow together in these vibrant school communities.
How is Middle School teaching innovative?
One of the greatest things about teaching in a middle school is the opportunity to work with a team of teachers and staff members to design and deliver the educational program to your students. Middle school teachers are open about their practice; they are comfortable collaborating with one another sharing their expertise and insights into the teaching and learning process as they work together to best support the students on their team. Flexible timetables and team teaching create exciting opportunities for curriculum integration and innovative programs.
How are teaching teams organized in Middle Schools?
Middle schools are usually organized into teams of 3-5 classes of students. As a teacher you belong to a teaching team responsible for planning and supporting the entire program for the 90-150 students on your team. It is like being part of a "school within a school". As the year progresses, you get to know and work with all the students on your team in addition to the students in your homeroom class. Through collaboration with other teachers in weekly team meetings, the team draws on the individual strengths and backgrounds of its teachers to plan and deliver a exciting educational program for the students that includes the core curriculum, advisory, explorations, field trips and exciting team activities.
How does the curriculum differ in Middle Schools?
The Explorations program is another unique aspect of middle schools. Explorations are different from elective courses in secondary school because all students take all of the Explorations subjects throughout the year. For part of every day, students attend explorations classes taught by teachers with specialized training in subject areas such as: Art, Drama, Physical Education, Music, Home Economics, Technology Education and Computers. As a middle school teacher, you have the opportunity to teach in one of the Explorations subjects.
Where would my practicum take place?
One of the best parts of our program is that we place our Teacher Candidates in middle schools in Coquitlam or New Westminster for practicum. During all three practicum, Teacher Candidates are part of the middle school team where they are placed. So along with the mentorship provided by the School Advisor each Teacher Candidate has the opportunity to work with and learn from all the members of the team.
Where are BC’s Middle Schools?
British Columbia is one of the North American leaders in Middle Years Education. Middle schools are found throughout the province from Vancouver Island to the Okanagan. In the Lower Mainland middle schools are found in Coquitlam, New Westminster, Langley, Abbotsford and Chilliwack. In Metro Vancouver middle schools have a grade 6-8 configuration while for other areas of BC, the grade 7-9 configuration is more common.
We hope you’ll enjoy our program!
Contact a TEO Program Coordinator for more information!
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