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WKTEP Program Details

During the fall of 1989, in response to an anticipated teacher shortage, the BC provincial government made available funding to initiate teacher education programs in the regions of British Columbia that were distant from the degree granting universities in Vancouver and Victoria.

Following consultations with the three main BC universities, Selkirk College faculty member and Open Learning Agency manager Gerry Ehman determined that UBC was in the best position to offer such a program in the West Kootenays. UBC's Dean of Education, Dr. Nancy M. Sheehan, visited the West Kootenays and met with Selkirk College representatives and adjacent school district superintendents to explore the feasibility of forming a consortium to sponsor a teacher education program.

After establishing that there was a need for the program, the consortium was established. It applied for and received Ministry funding for one year. For its first year, the program was restricted to elementary and secondary post-degree candidates who met UBC's Faculty of Education admission criteria. From 1991 to 1996 WKTEP also offered a 24 month Elementary Program.

The program is located in Castlegar. UBC offers the program's instructional component. Selkirk College manages the local budget and provides support services. UBC, Selkirk College, the Open Learning Agency, and School Districts #7 (Nelson), #9 (Castlegar), #10 (Arrow Lakes), #11 (Trail), #12 (Grand Forks) and #13 (Kettle Valley) formed the initial program consortium. Following amalgamation, the consortium school districts included #8, #10, #20 and #51. The school districts provide the school advisors and the practicum facilities. The Open Learning Agency initially provided some of the pre-admission and some of the post certification course work.

The 1990-1991 program was initially based at the Ootischenia Elementary School in Castlegar. Some of the instruction was delivered in other schools in Castlegar, Nelson, Trail and Grand Forks. The summer courses were offered on the Selkirk College campus. In 1995 the entire program moved to the current location on the Selkirk College campus, with some courses still being offered in local schools.

Secondary applicants with two teachable subject specializations are especially encouraged due to the nature of rural teaching in secondary schools.

In addition, it has also supervised Extended Practicum work in Secondary Technical Education.

The WKTEP Hiring Record

Although the economic climate of the 90's has been challenging, WKTEP is pleased to report that over 80% of its graduates have been able to secure teaching contracts above and beyond TOC work.

Average of Years 1 - 11: 84% (as of July 8/02)

Most of our graduates are teaching in BC; others have been or are teaching in other places such as Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, Russia, Northwest Territories, Yukon, Libya, Brazil, Thailand, China, Japan, Korea, Switzerland, Bermuda, Honduras, Costa Rica, Mexico, Colombia, England, France, New Zealand, Australia, Alaska, Arizona, California, Indonesia, India, St. Maartens, Finland, etc.

To date, 11 of the program graduates have worked in school-based administrative positions.

Program Philosophy - "Educating Teachers for the Future"

The West Kootenay Teacher Education Program has adopted the following principles:

1. Making the content of Ministry documents a focus for all instruction.
2. Combining elementary and secondary instruction.
3. Offering secondary candidates some options from the Elementary Curriculum and Instruction courses.
4. Introducing a balance between traditional and innovative planning, teaching, learning, management, assessment and evaluation strategies.
5. Emphasizing the need for flexibility in a learner-focused learning environment.
6. Emphasizing the role of celebration, joy, and social support in learning.
7. Emphasizing the importance of a positive home/school partnership.
8. Emphasizing the importance of collaboration both in and out of school.
9. Emphasizing the dimension of attitude as well as those of knowledge and skills.
10. Assuming that the pre-service teachers have a mission to bring a positive and cooperative attitude to the classroom.
11. Assuming that pre-service teachers can and should share resources and information with school associates/school advisors.
12. Responding to the standards and expectations of the school districts.
13. Where practical, integrating some curricular areas.
14. Introducing school-based computer technology.