Program is contingent on funding and enrolment.
Aanii, Boozhoo, Shé:kon, Tânsi, Wachiya, Kwe Kwe, Hello!
The Indigenous Teacher Education Program (ITEP) provides an opportunity to specialize in Indigenous education and qualifies graduates for Ontario College of Teachers certification.
We have an on-campus version of this program as well - find out more about the differences.
Application Process
Applicants admitted without an undergraduate degree must be of Indigenous ancestry and submit documentary proof of their ancestry as specified by the Ontario College of Teachers (OCT) when they apply for certification. It is the candidate's responsibility to check the OCT website or contact the College in advance to determine what documentation is required.
For information about applying see How to Apply. Please contact the community-based ITEP site or the ITEP office should you have any questions about program offerings and/or the application process (see below).
Overview
- Applicants can choose one of five community sites offered: Manitoulin-North Shore (Kenjgewin Teg), Lambton-Kent, Mushkegowuk Territory (exact site in Mushkegowuk Territory to be determined based on enrolment), Tyendinaga or Pikangikum.
- Face to face courses are delivered over 4 weekends per term for 6 terms, plus July in the first summer term at Queen’s University, Faculty of Education.
- Primary-Junior (PJ) division (JK-Grade 6).
- Can be admitted to the program with grade 12 or equivalent if you are of Indigenous ancestry (PDF 470 KB). Can also be admitted with an undergraduate degree. All candidates will receive a Bachelor of Education.
- Experientially-based, with 18-weeks of practice teaching in First Nations and/or Provincial schools.
- Provides the opportunity for eligible candidates who are already teaching in a school setting to qualify for the Ontario College of Teachers (OCT) Multi-Session Transitional Certificate of Qualification and Registration (MTCQR) and then, with Faculty of Education approval, to complete practicum requirements while continuing to work in their classroom teaching positions.
Admission Requirements and Information
Without an Undergraduate Degree
Applicants admitted without an undergraduate degree must be of Indigenous ancestry (PDF 470 KB) and submit documentary proof of their ancestry as specified by the Ontario College of Teachers (OCT) when they apply for certification. It is the candidate's responsibility to check the OCT website or contact the College in advance to determine what documentation is required.
With an Undergraduate Degree
If you are of Indigenous ancestry and have a University Degree, you can include transcripts from that degree instead of high school transcripts.
Applicants are required to have an acceptable undergraduate degree (minimum 3-year General degree).
Queen’s University attempts each year to admit a student body reflective of the general population of Canada. The Faculty of Education has developed an admission policy regarding equitable representation of groups that are underrepresented in the teaching profession, and has reserved a number of equity admission places in the Bachelor of Education and Diploma in Education Programs. Those who complete the voluntary Equity Admission form will be considered both under the general admission procedure and under the equity admission policy.
Official Transcripts
- All transcripts submitted must be official, bearing the institutional seal and/or original signature of the institution’s registrar. Photocopied or forwarded transcripts are not acceptable.
- All transcripts, once received, become the property of Student Services and are not returned to you.
- Your previous academic credentials must be obtained at an institution providing an academic environment and education that prepares students for potential success in advanced study at Queen’s.
Out-of-province and high school transcripts are to be sent directly to educstudentservices@queensu.ca or:
Student Services
Faculty of Education, Queen’s University
Duncan McArthur Hall
511 Union Street
Kingston, ON K7M 5R7
Attention: Jamie Kincaid
Official postsecondary transcripts should consist of:
- Postsecondary transcripts from each institution you attended.
- Ontario transcripts: Request your transcript through the TEAS application.
- Out-of-province transcripts: Request transcripts from the issuing postsecondary institution (including CEGEP, if applicable).
Transitional Certification: Learn & Earn
Provides the opportunity for eligible candidates who are already teaching in a school setting to qualify for the Ontario College of Teachers (OCT) Multi-Session Transitional Certificate of Qualification and Registration (MTCQR) which allows them to complete practicum requirements while continuing to work in their teaching positions.
Step One: Multi-Session Transitional Certificate Qualifying Practicum – For teacher candidates, the qualifying practicum for the MTCQR must be completed in May (PRAC 415) of their first year of study. This fifteen-day observational practicum is an introduction to schools. This will be completed either in-person or in an online module for candidates already working in schools. Candidates are not expected to teach formal lessons during this practicum.
Step Two: Complete in-person, on-campus learning – To qualify for application to the Ontario College of Teachers for the MTCQR, teacher candidates must successfully complete the first term of the program. During this first term of the program, candidates are required to attend in-person classes at their community sites for three weekends in May and June. Full-time classes will be held in Kingston, Ontario for the month of July.
Step Three: Apply for the Multi-Session Transitional Certificate of Qualification & Registration – It is the responsibility of the teacher candidate to apply for and secure employment as part of working under an MTCQR. Once employed, this certificate may permit eligible teacher candidates to complete a portion of their practicum requirements while working as a teacher in an Ontario Primary-Junior classroom.
MTCQR: Practicum Requirements - Queen’s University Faculty of Education may permit MTCQR holders to complete a percentage or all remaining practicum requirements in their own school board workplace.
Qualifying teaching positions include the following characteristics and features:
- in a Primary-Junior division classroom setting.
- involves teaching a group of students for an extended period of time (e.g. four weeks or more).
- utilizes the Ontario Curriculum Guidelines.
- involves all aspects of instruction in the teaching role – e.g. professionalism; supporting a community of learners; planning and preparing; lesson presentation; assessment; and classroom management.
- supervised by a senior administrator (e.g. Principal, Vice-Principal, and/or their designate) who is a member of the Ontario College of Teachers in good standing, and who completes a formative and a summative assessment each term.
Program Specifics
We have two Indigenous Teacher Education programs at Queen’s – one that is full-time, on-campus, called the Indigenous Teacher Education Program and is considered a program track and the Indigenous Teacher Education Program (community-based) which is a blended-format program with five community site options: Kenjgewin Tag, Lambton-Kent, Mushkegowuk Territory, Tyendinaga or Pikangikum. The community-based program has most courses taking place on weekends or in blended format which provides the flexibility for students to work while finishing the program.
Both programs provide an opportunity for graduates to specialize in Indigenous education, a Bachelors of Education (BEd), and allow graduates to be eligible for Ontario College of Teachers certification.
Please note that we also have a Master of Education in World Indigenous Studies in Education (WISE) blended format program.
| ITEP On-Campus | ITEP Community Based | |
| Length | 16 months – you start in May and finish in August of the following year | 6 terms (or about 2 years) You can find a sample schedule on the program page |
| Location | All classes take place at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario. The practicum blocks take place in schools within the designated catchment area, which includes 26 boards spanning from Burlington to Cornwall. You will complete a practicum registration where you select four different potential school boards for placement. | Applicants can choose one of four community sites offered: Kenjgewin Teg, Lambton-Kent, Tyendinaga, or Mushkegowuk Territory (exact site in Mushkegowuk Territory to be determined based on enrolment). In-person classes in the community take place over 4 weekends per term over 5 terms and there are two 4-week July sessions, one that takes place at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario and one that takes place in the community. Some classes take place in blended format. |
| Practicum | 21 weeks of practicum, with four weeks normally completed in a First Nations school or school that has a large Indigenous population. | 18 weeks of practicum that take place in a First Nation and/or Provincial School |
| Admissions | Especially suited to both Indigenous (Status, non-Status, or Métis) and non-Indigenous students with a university degree who are interested in Indigenous education. Non-Indigenous students are also invited to apply, but priority is given to Indigenous applicants. | Can be admitted to the program with grade 12 or equivalent if you are of Indigenous ancestry. Can also be admitted with an undergraduate degree, including non-Indigenous applicants. All candidates will receive a Bachelor of Education. |
| Teaching Credentials | Primary-Junior or Intermediate-Secondary | Primary-Junior |
Schedule
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Summer 1 |
In-person learning |
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Practicum |
Three weeks |
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Fall 1 |
In-person learning |
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Practicum |
Three weeks |
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Winter 1 |
In-person learning |
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Practicum |
Four weeks |
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Summer 2 |
In-person learning |
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|
Practicum |
Four weeks |
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Fall 2 |
In-person learning |
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|
Practicum |
Four weeks |
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Winter 2 |
In-person learning |
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Practicum |
None |
- Manitoulin-North Shore region (Kenjgewin Teg)
- Lambton-Kent
- Mushkegowuk Territory (exact site to be determined based on enrolment).
- Tyendinaga
- Pikangikum
Manitoulin-North Shore ITEP (MNS ITEP)
Kenjgewin Teg
M'Chigeeng First Nation, Ontario
MNS ITEP On-site Coordinator
DebbieDebassige@kenjgewinteg.ca
Mushkegowuk Territory ITEP (MT ITEP)
James Bay Region
MT ITEP On-site Coordinator
Bernice Kapashesit
Lambton-Kent ITEP (LK ITEP)
Sarnia, Ontario
LK ITEP Site Coordinator
Eryn Smit (he/him)
Tyendinaga ITEP (TY ITEP)
Tyendinaga, Ontario
TY ITEP Site Coordinator
Bonnie Jane Maracle
Pikangikum (PIK ITEP)
Pikangikum, Ontario
PIK ITEP Coordinator
Shana Turtle
Courses
Courses are adapted to local contexts and needs. These include Indigenous perspectives, balancing Indigenous-specific and student-centred learning with knowledge of the teaching/learning process, and research on Indigenous education.
In addition to the required curriculum courses of the regular program, all Primary-Junior (PJ) ITEP teacher candidates are required to take courses in Indigenous Teacher Education, Theory and Professional Practice in Indigenous Education, and Indigenous Teacher Education Community-Based Alternative Practicum. You can find course descriptions on the degree requirements webpage.
Practicum
Practicum placements consist of 18 weeks: 3 weeks in the first summer (May); 11 weeks in the fall/winter terms; and 4 weeks in the second summer (May). Practicum placements are normally completed in blocks of 3 to 4 weeks, 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 Indigenous student population. Students are not permitted to arrange their own practicum placements.
Please review the MTCQR information above for more information about practicum.
ITEP Services and Resources
Queen's University has many resources which may be of interest to Indigenous students, including an Indigenous student counselling service and an Indigenous student centre. Access to Elders is available both on campus at Queen's and in the community-based sites. The ITEP Office provides a number of services and resources to students, faculty, and staff. Community-based staff are also available during and between classes to provide administrative and student support. Throughout the academic year the community-based ITEP site hosts and/or partners with Indigenous organizations to bring events that support Indigenous education, and provide opportunities to build upon Indigenous language proficiency.
The ITEP Education Resource Centre and Student Lounge at the Faculty of Education houses an extensive collection of Indigenous education resources and general Indigenous resources. Indigenous Education resources are also available at the community-based site, along with indoor and outdoor classroom spaces, and access to a computer lab.
Connect with ITEP!
Finance Your Studies
Tuition and Fees
Find information about Tuition and Fees on the Registrar’s website (scroll down to the “education” headline and look under Consecutive & Concurrent (final year) heading.
The Indigenous Teacher Education Program Office also has information about funding and fee payment for Indigenous students.
Financial Aid
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Scholarships & Awards – scroll down to the Faculty of Education Students section to find information on practicum awards.
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Financial Aid Specifics to Consecutive Education – you can find information specific to the Teacher Education program (both on-campus and multi-session).
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Automatic Education Awards – some of these awards are based on grades and others are awarded based on nominations from instructors.
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Named General Bursaries for the Faculty of Education – there are numerous bursaries available specifically for Faculty of Education students.