UPEI hosts Sherwood Elementary School teachers and staff
The UPEI Faculty of Education is hosting approximately 70 teachers and staff from Sherwood Elementary School from June 9–27. The opportunity for this unique collaboration came about because the teachers and staff from Sherwood Elementary needed a welcoming space to work as they transition into a newly built school.
The school year ended on June 6 for Sherwood Elementary students to allow space for the safe demolition of the old school building, which is located adjacent to the new facility. The demolition is scheduled to continue through the end of June, prompting an early dismissal for students. However, teachers and staff are continuing to work through the remainder of the regular school calendar.
School personnel didn’t know where that work would be carried out until Parker Grimmer, Principal of Sherwood Elementary, reached out to Dr. Miles Turnbull, Dean of the UPEI Faculty of Education, to discuss the possibility of cooperating with the University on space and resources.
Turnbull said he was very open to the idea of housing the school’s teachers and staff for the remainder of the school year because he wanted to help a neighbour and partner in education, and since June is typically one of the least busy months on campus, he knew it was likely feasible. The unique situation also presented opportunities for professional development for both the teachers and UPEI Bachelor of Education students.
“As neighbours in the Island community, it just makes sense to help them out in a time of need,” said Turnbull. “We are all part of the PEI education system and rely on each other to make our system the best it can be. That community connection is so important.”
As soon as Turnbull received the go-ahead from UPEI administration, he set to work to welcome Sherwood Elementary School teachers and staff and get them set up for a successful couple of weeks. Grimmer and Francyne Doiron, vice principal, were set up with UPEI login accounts to be able to use campus technology. A UPEI graduate student worked with them to trouble shoot any technical issues that arose.
Turnbull and his colleagues also organized a UPEI scavenger hunt for the Sherwood teachers and staff, which provided a fun way for them to get familiar with the campus. Doiron said the teachers and staff really appreciate the warm welcome they have received from UPEI. She is also grateful for the opportunities for learning, sharing of resources, presentations, and the general community building among school personnel and members of the UPEI faculty and staff.
During their time at UPEI, Sherwood Elementary School faculty and staff are working in a variety of settings. Sometimes they gather as a large group in the Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering building, at other times they work in smaller cohorts throughout Memorial Hall, and they spend a portion of their time working remotely.
“This is an opportunity that many teachers would want to have in their career,” said Doiron. “The professional development we are receiving as a result of being in this situation and environment is invaluable.”
Flexibility to accommodate different learning needs was thoughtfully integrated into the professional development plan. For example, Sherwood teachers created a learning opportunity for UPEI education students by sharing their expertise—and pizza—during a Lunch and Learn session. Elizabeth Blake, professor in the UPEI Faculty of Education, also invited teachers from Sherwood to join her class, some of whom had previously served as cooperating teachers. She said every opportunity to bring new and seasoned educators together to discuss current issues in education is a valuable one—fostering dialogue, perspective-sharing, and deeper understanding of today’s classroom realities.
“We appreciate Miles and everyone at UPEI for turning our challenge into an opportunity,” said Grimmer. “Many of us have enjoyed returning to the university space where we began preparing for our careers while we continue our learning journey.”
