First UPEI Bachelor of Education (Kindergarten) students begin orientation

The first class of Bachelor of Education (BEd) (Kindergarten) students are attending a week-long orientation on the UPEI campus to help them adjust to the university environment. In September 2010, educators who have been hired as kindergarten teachers will begin a part-time BEd program as part of the move to the new K-12 public school system.

The orientation week was kicked off by remarks from UPEI President Wade MacLauchlan, Assistant Deputy Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development Linda Lowther, and Dean of Education Dr. Tim Goddard. The week features sessions on work/life balance, effective practices for university study, and an overview of the courses students will take this fall.

Goddard said, 'UPEI has a long tradition of innovative programming to meet the real needs of people on PEI. We therefore made the commitment to adapt our BEd degree and introduce kindergarten-specific examples to that curriculum, and are committed to helping students, through this week's orientation, adapt to university life.'

'Now that the Maritime Provinces Higher Education Commission has endorsed our BEd (Kindergarten) and our orientation is under way,' adds Goddard, 'we are full steam ahead on delivering a top-quality program that will provide kindergarten teachers with a full BEd, recognizing the many years of experience held by kindergarten teachers on PEI, and the value of the Early Childhood Education diploma they hold.'

The BEd (Kindergarten) program is offered on a limited term as a result of policy changes enacted by the provincial government last year. Offered over a six-year period, the program allows for two cohorts of learners to enter the program while maintaining their employment status as kindergarten teachers in the new K-12 system. Normally, the 20-course program will be completed in four calendar years with one course in the fall term, one in winter term, one in spring, and two in the summer session.