Hundreds of Werklund students on campus for summer school

On the University of Calgary campus, the end of Stampede also signals the start of summer break for many. That’s not the case at the Werklund School of Education, where close to 500 students are taking classes through the month of July.

The students are part of Werklund’s undergraduate, graduate, and International Foundations programs. They come from across Canada and around the world, and last week, many of them joined together to celebrate their educational community.

While the Werklund School normally has a large contingent on campus during this time for the face-to-face components of its blended courses and for English language programs, this year’s student body has a decidedly different makeup.

For the first time, Undergraduate Programs in Education has a strong presence, as it welcomed students into the Community-Based Bachelor of Education program. The 17 students in the first cohort come from all over Alberta, and after their two week stay on campus, will take their courses and their classroom experience in their own communities.

In another first, 15 additional undergraduate students are taking a regularly scheduled fall course now — because they won’t be here in September. They‘re part of the Teaching Across Borders program, in which they will travel to schools around the world for international educational and cultural experiences.

Other programs are welcoming students to campus as they do each year in summer.

The International Foundations Program is currently hosting 88 students, mostly from Taiwan and China, who are developing their English language skills so they can succeed in classes at the University of Calgary and beyond.

By far, the largest contingent is Graduate Programs in Education, where 350 students are working towards master's and doctoral degrees.

At a luncheon hosted by the Werklund School, the students were welcomed by Provost Dru Marshall and Dean Dennis Sumara. Then, in her keynote presentation, Lianne Lee, a facilitator in the Werklund Youth Leadership Centre talked about her experiences as both student and teacher, her work with immigrant youth in community service organizations, and her current role as both a graduate student and support for students.

Students and staff took part in some table activities while they enjoyed lunch. The spotlight activity included two large maps — one of Alberta, the other of the world — on which everyone was asked to place a marker to show their hometown. If the results are any indication, the University of Calgary — and the Werklund School of Education — have certainly made their mark on the world.