Partnership with U of M Faculty of Education inspires the teachers of tomorrow

There’s nothing that sparks student engagement quite like learning by doing. That belief was at the heart of a partnership between Pembina Trails School Division and the University of Manitoba’s Faculty of Education this school year.

The experiential program introduced high school students to what post-secondary studies and a future career in education could actually look like. For 32 students in Grades 11 and 12, curiosity quickly turned into hands-on discovery.

Over three afternoons in March, students visited the U of M’s Faculty of Education, toured the facilities, met with the dean and associate deans, and learned about the different education streams and pathways to becoming a teacher. They didn’t just hear about university life, but also lived it by sitting in on classes and speaking candidly with current education students about their experiences.

“They were super open and honest about being in the faculty,” said Tricia, a Grade 12 student from Fort Richmond Collegiate. “I asked them what courses I should take in my first year of university, and they gave me so many recommendations.”

To have them try their own hands at teaching, participants also got to choose a subject and prepare a micro-teaching lesson that they presented to their peers. 

“At first, I was nervous, but doing a lesson was really fun,” noted Mariam, a Grade 11 student from Pembina Trails Collegiate. “It’s a place where, even if you make a mistake, it’s fine. I got similar feedback from a lot of people, so that showed me some clear things I can work on.”

The final stage of the program brought students into Pembina Trails elementary classrooms through a follow-up job shadowing opportunity. Participants volunteered for two half-days alongside teachers, gaining firsthand experience and valuable lessons in a real learning environment.

“The communication aspect was the biggest lesson for me,” said Liam, a Grade 11 student from Vincent Massey Collegiate. “You just can’t be nervous to start a conversation, especially in situations with younger students. If they don’t know who you are, they’re not going to initiate a conversation. So, you just have to be welcoming.”

It was an experience that helped build skills while offering clarity.

“If you were going into those classrooms and leaving feeling drained, you know it’s not going to be the right profession for you,” noted Tricia. “That wasn’t the case for me, so it made me so much more confident in what I’m choosing.”

For many participants, the experience turned a question mark about the future into a clear path forward, showing that the best way to find your future is to try it on.