Today’s guests are currently working in roles with Pre-service teachers at Simon Fraser University, in their Professional Development Program. They are teachers in a lower mainland city and, as is the model at SFU, have been seconded from their district. We are looking forward to hearing about what they plan, what the students do, to look at, and feel prepared for, this broad, rich role of teacher and how we facilitate the deep learning of our students.

QUOTE:

"Caring school communities that promote empathy and social cohesiveness have benefits for both teachers and students (Battistich et al., 1997, Battistich et al., 2000). Strong relationships between teachers and communities facilitate all stakeholders’ ability to participate and engage with each other as partners and understand each other’s backgrounds (Pais et al., in press). To create caring and supportive school communities, these relationships must be intentionally nourished."

- Teaching in Community Schools: Creating Conditions for Deeper Learning (Julia Daniel, Karen Hunter Quartz, Jeannie Oakes) (https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.3102/0091732X18821126)


BIO:

Giovanna (Jovanna) Malito has been a teacher in BC at the primary (Grades K-3) level for the past 23 years. She has a Masters degree in Language and Literacy Education, with a focus on early literacy and family literacy. Most of her classroom teaching experience took place teaching kindergarten and working closely with families in BC’s Community Schools. She has also worked as an instructor at Oregon State University, with student teachers preparing for certification as early childhood educators. Giovanna has been working in Preservice Professional Programs at Simon Fraser University for the past 6 years, both as a faculty associate in one of the Professional Development Program’s community based modules, and currently as a Program Coordinator, supporting Faculty Associates in their work with student teachers. Relationships and connections remain at the heart of her work with colleagues and students, early learners and adult learners alike.

Niki Allcock has been a teacher in BC for over 20 years. The bulk of her experience has been in Community Schools teaching early primary. She has worked as a Mentor with SFU graduate diplomas, supporting practicing teachers with field-study research. She is currently working as a Faculty Associate with SFU in the Faculty of Education Pre-service Professional Studies, supporting student teachers. She has a master’s degree in Educational Practice – focused on learning from Indigenous ways of knowing and being to foster strong classroom community. Niki has a heart for people of all ages and her passion is in building safe and rich learning communities.
(*Please note that the opinions expressed by Giovanna and Niki are their own and are not shared on behalf of SFU.)


This is episode is produced by Corbin Castres.