York University's elementary education programme is renowned for the practical experience and training it provides its teacher candidates. Students in this 1-year consecutive programme spend an average of about 100 days in elementary classrooms teaching and observing teachers. This kind of exposure led to a much greater sense of the reality of teaching and what it entails!  Perhaps the most valuable part of this experience was observing the first week of school for the kids in the classroom. Not many other programmes (if any!) provide that opportunity.

My first term was spent in the English half of a Grade 2 immersion classroom at George Kennedy P.S. in Georgetown, ON. My host teacher was a wonderful role model, and I had a lot of opportunities to experiment with different styles and lessons.

For the second half of the programme, I was in a Grade 3/4 split at Sunningdale P.S. in Oakville, ON. Once again, the challenges that this specific class presented were rewarding and met with enthusiasm!