The Faculty of Education at the University of Prince Edward Island has openings for sessional instructors to teach the following courses in summer 2026. The offering of each course listed is conditional on final enrolment numbers. All positions are subject to final budgetary and administrative approval. 

Please note: the courses offered below will be taught in person, unless otherwise specified as an online course.

ED-4060-5 Comprendre la santé sociale et émotionnelle chez les élèves (Taught in French)

This course will examine the responsibilities of teachers in supporting the mental health of K-12 learners in the contemporary contexts of family, peers, school, work, and the media. Emphasis is placed on challenges such as low self-esteem, difficult emotions, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, bullying, self-injury, and suicide.
This course is offered in French to students in our Bachelor of Education (français langue seconde) program, on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:30 pm – 3:15 pm, July 6 to August 6, 2026.  

ED-4130-2 Multiliteracies Across the Curriculum  

This course introduces students to the critical, developmental, and pedagogical dimensions of supporting students K-12 as they learn the range of literacies required for life in the twenty-first century.
This course is offered to students in the Intermediate/Senior cohort of our Bachelor of Education program, Mondays and Wednesdays from 8:30 am to 11:20 am from May 25 to June 25, 2026.  

ED-4200 Teaching for Science, Technology, Math, and Engineering (STEM) – (one English section, one French section) 

This course introduces students to the pedagogies, practices, and instructional alternatives that foster acquisition of the knowledge, skills, and attitudes critical to success in the sciences, technology, engineering, and math.
This course is offered on Mondays and Wednesdays from 12:30 pm - 3:15 pm, July 6 to August 6, 2026.  
Section 2 is offered in English to students in the Intermediate/Senior cohort of our Bachelor of Education program, and Section 5 is offered in French to students in our Bachelor of Education (français langue seconde) program.  

ED-4220-3 Mathematics for Teachers  (taught in French)

The course provides opportunities for students to reason and make sense of mathematics in meaningful ways by discovering mathematics through inquiry-based instructional methods grounded in real-life contexts. Content will be drawn from the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics five content (number & operations, algebra, geometry, measurement, and data analysis & probability) and process (problem-solving, reasoning & proof, communications, connections, and representation) standards.
This course is offered in French to students in the primary/elementary cohort of our Bachelor of Education (français langue seconde) program, Mondays and Wednesdays from 12:30 pm to 3:15 pm from May 25 to June 25, 2026.  

ED-4230-3 Les mathématiques au niveau primaire/elémentaire - (taught in French)

This course examines the pedagogy of Primary/Elementary mathematics. Instruction focuses on how children learn mathematics, what it means to engage children in doing mathematics, teaching mathematics through problem solving, and curriculum sequencing. Underlying these foundational ideas for teaching, students will have the opportunity to re-learn key areas of mathematics in a twenty-first-century approach to teaching and learning.
This course is offered in French to students in the primary/elementary cohort of our Bachelor of Education (français langue seconde) program, Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 8:30 am – 11:15 am, July 6 to August 6, 2026.

ED-4320-1 Primary/Elementary Language and Literacies and Multiliteracies 

This course provides an examination of the foundations of language/literacy processes based on current theories of language acquisition and literacy development. The focus is on six core strands: reading, writing, listening, speaking, viewing, and representing, as well as balanced approaches to teaching, learning, and assessing literacy skills in the Primary/Elementary grades.
This course is offered to students in the primary/elementary cohort of our Bachelor of Education program, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8:30 am- 11:15 am, from July 6 to August 6, 2026.  

ED-4420-2 Adolescent Social & Emotional Health

This course will explore the topic of social-emotional health of adolescent learners in the contemporary contexts of family, peers, school, work, and the media. Mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, addiction, and the teaching of social-emotional learning strategies will be emphasized.

This course is offered to students in the intermediate/senior cohort of our Bachelor of Education program, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12:30 pm – 3:15 pm, from July 6 to August 6, 2026.  

ED-4480-1 Social Emotional Learning and Children’s Mental Health

This course introduces students to an overview of children’s mental health issues, the core competencies of Social Emotional Learning, and evidence-based programs and strategies identified for improving students’ social skills, emotional well-being, and academic outcomes.
This course is offered to students in the primary/elementary cohort of our Bachelor of Education program, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12:30 pm – 3:15 pm, from July 6 to August 6, 2026.  

ED-4490-5 Introduction to Indigenous Education (taught in French)

This course is a combination of classroom and community-based learning.  Anchored in L’nu (Mi’kmaq) knowledge, students will learn about ceremony, protocol, Elders, and traditional teachers. In turn, these will help foster a mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual understanding of Indigenous worldviews and ways of knowing. This course also introduces Canada’s history of cultural assimilation and genocide imposed upon Indigenous Peoples in Canada. It will discuss why all teachers – and anyone living in Canada – needs to know this history. 
This course is offered online in French to students in our Bachelor of Education (français langue seconde) program, on Fridays from 9:00 am – 3:50 pm, June 26 to June 31, 2026.

ED-4660-1 Principles and Practices of Teaching English as an Additional Language 

This course explores the theoretical foundations for teaching English as a second/additional language (ESL/EAL). Students are introduced to fundamental aspects of additional language acquisition and the factors affecting language learning and teaching. The course introduces the needs of English language learners in various contexts, including ESL/EAL, mainstream, and foreign language classrooms. Students develop a critical perspective on issues related to language learning and teaching.
This course is offered to students in the primary/elementary cohort of our Bachelor of Education program, Monday to Friday, 12:00 pm – 2:50 pm, May 4 to May 21, 2026.  

ED-4690 Special Topics: Preparing to Teach in an International/Indigenous Context

This course is intended for students committed to completing a six-week practicum in an international/Indigenous educational setting. Course content will include but shall not be limited to, the following topics: The logistics of preparing for an international practicum placement including pre-departure planning, securing immigration documents required (with advice from trained experts from the UPEI International Office), health and/or vaccination requirements, safety and risk management, housing, language and culture considerations, communication with UPEI during the practicum, and financial support.

The course also considers doing a practicum amidst complex global challenges such as conflicts, disasters, and multiple forms of oppression.
This is a three-module course, with one module of one-semester-hour offered in each of the Summer, Fall, and Winter semesters.  The course is offered on campus to BEd students in International or Indigenous focus areas.

This course is offered on Fridays from 8:30 am to 11:20 am.  
Module 1 (ED-4690-97) will be offered June 5-19, 2026.  
Module 2 (ED-4690-98) will be offered September 11-25, 2026.  
Module 3 (ED-4690-99) will be offered January 8-29, 2027.

ED-6020-53 Student Diversity & Inclusive Education

This course explores student diversity within the context of inclusive education. Current theoretical and conceptual frameworks in the field of inclusive education and critical disability studies will be examined to better support a ‘capacity approach’ to diverse students' learning. Specifically, students will examine and critique dominant views informing schooling policies and practices regarding current issues related to diversity and equity in learning environments.
This course is offered to students in our Master of Education in Leadership in Learning program, Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:20 pm, July 13-17, 2026.  

ED-6190-52 Critical Pedagogy

In this course, students examine the social conditions and practices that shape education. Students explore schools in their historical, economic, political, cultural, and social contexts.
This course is offered to students in our Master of Education in Leadership in Learning program, Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:20 pm, July 6-10, 2026.  

ED-6300-96 Perspectives in Ecology & Sustainability Leadership

This interdisciplinary course explores contemporary topics related to the environment, such as ecological consciousness, place attachment, principles of ecological design, sustainability and responsible stewardship, ecological citizenship, and environmental practice. Students apply a critical inquiry framework and consider philosophical ideologies related to anthropocentric and ecocentric perspectives, environmental ethics, and ecological worldviews. Participatory methodologies are encouraged to promote leadership in ecological knowledge and environmental preservation in a variety of contexts.
This course is offered online to students in our Master of Education in Leadership in Learning program from May 11 to June 18, 2026.  

Qualifications:

Ideal candidates will have a Master of Education or equivalent degree.  Successful candidates will normally have school-based experience in a Canadian public K-12 system.  For applicants without school-based experience, teaching in other contexts relevant and appropriate to the position will be considered. Applicants should have experience in teaching, research, or practice related to the course content.

Instructors teaching online courses are expected to have sufficient internet bandwidth and technology available to deliver the course online.

Qualified candidates with seniority on the UPEI Faculty of Education’s Sessional Roster and the Faculty’s full-time and term contract faculty members will be given priority.

For additional information regarding positions in the undergraduate English programs, please contact Miles Turnbull by email at mturnbull@upei.ca

For additional information regarding positions in the undergraduate French programs, please contact Elizabeth Blake by email to eblake@upei.ca

For additional information regarding positions in the graduate programs, please contact Dr. Ken MacKinnon by email to kenmackinnon@upei.ca

Application Instructions:

Applicants should submit an electronic version of a cover letter outlining the specific course they wish to teach and how their background is relevant to the course material, a curriculum vitae, and names and contact details of three referees.  All attachments should be in pdf format and should be submitted to:

Dr. Miles Turnbull, Dean
c/o Karen-Anne O’Halloran (kohalloran@upei.ca)
Faculty of Education
University of Prince Edward Island
550 University Avenue
Charlottetown, PE   C1A 4P3

In accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. UPEI is committed to the principle of equity in employment.

UPEI is committed to equity, diversity, inclusion, and reconciliation and believes in providing a positive learning and working environment where every person feels empowered to contribute.

UPEI is committed to the principle of equity in employment and encourages applications from underrepresented groups, including women, Indigenous peoples, visible minorities, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity, and others with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities.

Closing date for applications is February 12th, 2026.