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Aboriginal Teacher Education Program (Community-Based)

Ahneen, Boozhoo, Sekoli, She:kon, Tânisi, Waachay, Kwey, Hello!

This two-year, part-time community-based program provides an opportunity for teacher candidates to specialize in Aboriginal education and may be of particular interest to Aboriginal students, those with experience in Aboriginal education, and mature students. It features courses with Aboriginal-specific content, as well as practice teaching placements in First Nations or provincial schools.

  • Teacher candidates with ATEP binders.

    ATEP teacher candidates receive orientation materials specifically related to their program.

  • Teacher candidates reading.

    ATEP teacher candidates find and share resources in the Education Library.

  • Teacher candidates in class at McArthur Hall.

    Teacher candidates attend a short summer session on the campus of Queen's University in Kingston.

  • Teacher candidates on the bus.

    Teacher candidates take a field trip to Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory.

  • Group photo of teacher candidates with Queen’s T-shirts

    Teacher candidates bring the Queen’s spirit with them to Tyendinaga.

  • Teacher candidates outside at Tyendinaga.

    The summer session usually involves some time for socialization and enjoying the sunshine.

  • An instructor pointing to a diagram on the chalk board.

    Courses include Aboriginal-specific content.

  • A staff member and instructor smiling.

    Friendly staff and instructors lead the program in the communities and at Queen’s.

  • Students with their binders out, talking in class.

    Students work together to complete assignments and to discuss ideas.

  • Students working independently.

    There’s always a quiet place to study at Duncan McArthur Hall.

  • Traditional drumming with graduates, staff and family.

    Convocation Ceremony at Seven Generations Education Institute.

  • Staff jumping in the air.

    KTEI staff in Manitoulin Island.

Overview

  • Started in the Manitoulin-North Shore area in the fall of 1991, previously offered in the James Bay area with Omushkego Education and in the South-Western Ontario area with Six Nations Polytechnic.
  • Presently offered in the Manitoulin-North Shore and Fort Frances regions of Ontario.
  • Prepares the teacher candidate to teach at the Primary-Junior (PJ) divisions (Junior Kindergarten to Grade Six).
  • Candidates of Aboriginal Ancestry who hold an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent are eligible for the Diploma in Education.
  • Candidates who hold an undergraduate degree are eligible for the Bachelor of Education.
  • Learning opportunities include:
    • Aboriginal-specific programming
    • Application of Aboriginal perspectives and world view to theory and practice
    • Problem solving with peers
    • Review of Aboriginal and other curriculum resources
    • Supervised teaching in a First Nations or Provincial setting
  • For community-based program delivery, ATEP requires a minimum number of 15 successful applicants.

Courses

Courses are adapted to local contexts and needs, and include Aboriginal perspectives, balancing Aboriginal-specific and student-centred learning with knowledge of the teaching/learning process and research on Aboriginal education.

Program material is delivered through short, intensive community-based course sessions during the fall, winter, and spring, and through a short summer session normally held on the campus of Queen's University.

In addition to the required curriculum courses of the regular program, all Primary-Junior (PJ) ATEP teacher candidates are required to take FOCI 201 Aboriginal Teacher Education; PROF 195 Theory and Professional Practice in Aboriginal Education; and PRAC 195 Aboriginal Teacher Education Community-Based Practicum.

Total requirement for PJ Aboriginal Teacher Education is completion of 30.0 units. Teacher candidates also must complete co-requisites to full graduation requirements.

For more information on course requirements go to the Faculty of Education Course Calendar, Programs of Study Section.

Practicum

Practicum placements consist of twelve weeks. This requirement must normally be completed in three blocks of four weeks each, over the two-year period and may be completed in the candidate's home region. Practicum placements are offered in First Nations schools and/or Provincial schools with a significant Aboriginal student population. The community-based practicum placements are arranged by the On-Site Coordinators of each community site.

Community-Based Sites

Community-based ATEP sites are currently located in the following areas:

Map of ATEP sites across Ontario.

Admissions Requirements & Application

Applicants for the Diploma in Education must be of Aboriginal ancestry. Diploma candidates must submit documentary proof of Native ancestry as specified by the Ontario College of Teachers when they apply to the College for certification. It is the candidate's responsibility to check the OCT website or contact the College (1-888-534-2222) in advance to determine what documentation is required.

For information about applying to the two-year part-time community-based ATEP programs in the Manitoulin-North Shore region (MNS ATEP) and the Fort Frances-Northwestern Ontario region (SGEI ATEP), see How to Apply.

Please contact the community-based ATEP site in your area or our toll free number below should you have any questions about the ATEP community-based program offerings and/or the application process.

Career Opportunities

Upon completion of the program, candidates will receive a Diploma in Education or a Bachelor of Education degree; graduates also qualify to receive the Certificate of Qualification as a teacher offered through the Ontario College of Teachers, certifying them to teach in First Nations and Provincial schools in Ontario.

ATEP Community-based Events

Throughout the academic year the community-based ATEP sites hosts and/or partners with Aboriginal organizations to bring events that support and educate about Aboriginal education.

Contact Us

Aboriginal Teacher Education Program Office
atep@queensu.ca
1-800-862-6701

Manitoulin-North Shore ATEP
M'Chigeeng, Ontario
Rachel Lewis
StudentLiaisonOfficer@ktei.net
1-888-536-5439

Seven Generations Education Institute ATEP
Fort Frances, Ontario
Sherri Kabatay
sherrik@7generations.org
1-800-668-6279