Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Mock Interview Questions

Hey, everyone. . . .



I've posted a PDF version of the full list of questions that we had prepared for your Mock Interview sessions last week. Take a look and prepare! We will be spending some more time on these on February 7th!

As for January 31st, please come to Counselling Group prepared to discuss the School Board research that you (hopefully) have completed!

:-)

Candace

Friday, January 25, 2008

ATTENTION DODGEBALL FANS

Bock co-ed dodgeball season starts next week, and registration is on Monday-Tuesday. If you are interested in playing, let me know. We need at least 10 players on the team and the cost is approx. $8/person plus a bond fee that we get back if we play all scheduled games.

Thanks
MEAGAN

Mock Interviews

I just wanted to quickly say that yesterday's mock interview session was the most beneficial class we have had thus far. It helped prepare us by showing how the process actually works, as well as giving us much insight into the types of questions to expect and the types of responses that our interviewers expect to recieve, either in terms of depth, terminology, and connection with standards.

From hearing others' responses to some of the small session Q & A's I feel confident that we are all on the right track to being highly successful in the interview for our various boards. Congratulations everyone on a job well done.

I would like to thank our counsellors for arranging such a beneficial afternoon and I look forward to seeing what our next professional days bring for us.

Mr. V

April 4th Formal

Hello everyone, like I said, here is the information that I have thus far.

The contracted date for the formal is Friday, April 4th. You may purchase tickets from either myself, Angela, or Angie. Tickets cost $40 each until February 7th, in which the price is to go up to $45. You are allowed to bring a friend/partner/significant other, etc.

I will post more as I find more out. The formal includes a dance, food (buffet I believe at the moment) and I still do not know how we are being charged for drinks, etc.

Thanks everyone and I hope you can all make it!

Scott

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Another Interesting Article

Hey Guys,
I found another great article about various French programs that are offered in the area. Thought this might be helpful in interviews and if by chance your placement is at one of the schools where there is an Intensive French program. Here's the link below.

http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=869489&auth=CHERYL+CLOCK

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Catholic Education Blog

For those of you interested in interviewing for the Catholic school districts, you might want to check out the Catholic Education blog:

Catholic Education blog: http://tomorrowstrust.ca/

*The purpose *of Tomorrow’s Trust is to provide a web based journal of news and opinion on Catholic education. Tomorrow’s Trust will focus mainly on the state of Catholic education in Canada but will include material on Catholic schools or issues in other English speaking countries such as the United States, United Kingdom and Australia. The site will attempt to draw into one place, news about our Catholic schools, drawn primarily from Catholic school boards in the provinces of Ontario, Alberta, and Saskatchewan, Canada. Links to school board web-based press releases and local community newspaper websites will form one segment of the Tomorrow’s Trust site. Tomorrow’s Trust’s editors will also provide and arrange for commentary on the relationship between our Church and School communities. Through our blogToTrust component, we will also invite commentary from our readers, both Catholic and “Public”. Such comments will be refereed before posting. In this way, we at Tomorrows Trust hope to provide Catholics with a more unified knowledge of a Catholic system rather than its many parts and in that way give more definition to both our Catholic schools and their relationship with our Church. *The name* “Tomorrow’s Trust” was chosen because it symbolizes a Christian’s trust of living for that day when we will be united with our Lord God in the person of Jesus Christ. Because Jesus came to redeem us, we trust if we live in His name, we will be united in His presence when we die.

Monday, January 21, 2008

Public Speaking judge needed for St. Alexander

Dean Stunt, principal at St. Alexander, is looking for a volunteer to judge public speaking called "Speak Out" at his school on on Jan. 28 at 9:00am. The phone number is 905-892-3841 if you would like to volunteer.
:-)
Candace

Building Futures Registration is now open!

Building Futures - February 1, 2008
Pre-registration for all candidates is mandatory. Online registration will be open from Monday, January 21st to Friday, January 25th. Try this link (http://www.building-futures.ca/eng/brock.html) for registration!
:-)
Candace

Reminder to take survey and newest calendar update!

Hello, everyone. . . .

Just a reminder to take the Mid-Year Survey right now--only takes about 5 minutes, so take that time right now!!

Also, the newest update to the calendar is available. Click here for the latest updated calendar! Thanks a bunch!
:-)
Candace

Friday, January 18, 2008

Wellington / Upper Grand Info

Hello Folks.
Here is the information I found for Upper Grand District School Board:
- apply on applytoeducation.com
- need cover letter (address to teaching recruitment), resume (do not exceed four pages), copy of OCT certificate of qualifications, name of 3 related references
- there were no due dates listed on website

Here is the information I found for Wellington Cathoilc District School Board:
- applytoeducation.com
- final practicum reports
- pastoral letter of reference (there are questions that the priest should ask you...I suggest you look at them, there are 6 questions)
- 2 reference letters
- transcripts or QECO rating
- OCT certificate
- criminal check
- if you have questions, contact Susan Paoli, Human Resources Officer, 519-821-4640 Ext. 219. Her email address is spaoli@wellingtoncdsb.edu.on.ca
- there was no due date on the website

Thursday, January 17, 2008

York Region District School Board Information

I took a look at the YRDSB website. The information that I am about to post doesn't even begin to really summarize all the information that they have provided for potential teachers on their website. I strongly suggest that if this is a board that you are interested in that you go and take a look at everything on the site.

Information for applicants:

· Accepts ONLY online applications (do NOT accept paper applications)

· The teacher applications may be accessed under current opportunities and under the Teaching category. The teacher applications may be accessed under current opportunities and under the Teaching category.

· You may address your cover letter to Mr. Chris Tulley, Superintendent of Employee Services.

· Separate applications are required for each division/subject you are interested in and qualified to teach.

· Your application will remain active throughout the hiring season you applied under. You will be informed electronically when the hiring process is closed and a new application is required, should you still be considering a position with our Board.

· You are required to submit the names of 3 references along with their current address, telephone number, e-mail address and position. Please ensure that one of your references is your most current employer, if applicable.

· We do not have a deadline; however, we encourage faculty students to have their applications in by the end of February.

· Do NOT send your applications to individual school locations. All of our Principals and Vice-Principals have access to your on-line application.

· If you are invited to an interview, you will be contacted via e-mail or telephone, to coordinate your interview.

· The York Region District School Board does not “pool hire” for most subjects. School administrators manage their individual hiring needs and have the ability to screen and contact candidates directly for interviews. From time to time, the Board may interview and pool hire a small number of teachers for highly specialized subject areas, i.e. Elementary French Immersion.

· External vacancies within our Board won't be known until our internal staff transfer process has been completed and closed. School administrators will then be prepared to meet and interview applicants to fill any remaining vacancies. As a result of York Region's internal transfer processes, new teacher hiring does not usually commence until late April/early May and continues right through to September; however, your application will be valid for the current school year and if the need arises, you may be contacted during the year for an interview.

· Applicants may include any documents they feel would be relevant to their application or the position they are applying for. Common attachments include formatted versions of the cover letter and résumé, evaluations, practice teacher reports, and reference letters. Only files with the following extensions are accepted and accessible by the York Region District School Board: jpg, rtf, doc, gif, jpeg, pdf, txt, zip, wpd, wpe.

· The “SKILLS” section is the area for you to tell us about your additional skills or qualifications that may not have been identified in the application’s screening questions (eg. languages spoken, courses taken, CPR, etc.). It also gives you the ability to rate yourself on those skills/qualifications.

· We do not require a portfolio; however, it may be useful when you attend an interview.

· We require a Vulnerable Sector Screening and we must see the original letter from the Police Department. (in reference to the Police Check Question on the website)

· We receive hundreds of applications so it is important that you try to set yourself apart from all the other candidates. Try to add as much information into your application as possible (eg. letters of reference, practice teaching reports, transcripts, résumés and evaluations).

· If you wish, you can upload your practice teaching reports into your application. Otherwise, when you are granted an interview, you can bring them with you.

Board Initiatives

· Character Matters (as a graduate of this region…this program is BIG)
· Reading Recovery (for those applying for grade position in particular)
· ABEL
· CAYRE

I hope that this gives you a good start to the Board information...but like I said earlier, this is really only a start. The website to look at is: http://www.yrdsb.edu.on.ca/. Once on the site, go to link on the left hand side called careers and choose the option that you want to look at from there.

P.S. I do have this saved as a word document if you a personal copy.

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Social Issues Day II

I would just like to reflect on today's social issues day. First, I found the plenary session in the morning to be most interesting and useful. I feel the survivors experiences made me realize the true devastations of the Holocaust and provided some excellent insights on how the Holocaust could be presented in a classroom and its relevance to today. Further, the resource package provided to us, I feel is an excellent way to further our individual knowledge and feel more confident about teaching the subject.

In the afternoon I had the opportunity to attend the introduction to TRIBES workshop. I felt the guest speaker was excellent in presenting the material, and came with an extensive background knowledge and experiences to share with us. In addition he provided us with some great activities that we could use in our own classrooms. Lastly, I thought the resource package contained even more great ideas and effective strategies that could be brought into almost any classroom. Let me know if you would like a copy of this booklet.

The Contemporary Moral Issues for Catholic Teachers was the other workshop I attended. The presenter was wonderful and brought with him excellent answers to any questions we had concerning moral issues that we may be faced with in our classrooms. He was most helpful in assisting us construct useful and positive responses to questions our future students may present us with.

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Updates for Calendar and Mid-Year Survey

Hey, y'all. . .

Here's the updated calendar! You won't have any trouble opening this one! I promise! AND, the link to the Mid-Year Survey is on this page under Links. Please take 10 minutes and complete it for me!
:-)
Candace

Saturday, January 12, 2008

Board Survey

Hey Everyone,

I have posted the document from OSIE which outlines the board surveys on the discussion board. Hope it is of help to you!

Angela

Friday, January 11, 2008

OESC Background Check

Just a reminder for those of you who might not check your e-mail regularly.


"Hi there,
You should have been given a letter in counselling group todayexplaining the fact that you will need to apply for a new CriminalBackground Check. The application referred to in that letter is attachedto this email.
If you have any questions please ask the representative from the OntarioCollege of Teachers (OCT) who will be presenting tomorrow.
Regards,Michelle"

I was filling out the form and wondering which box at the bottom we should be selecting...do we need a new card, just a new written piece of documentation? does anybody know ?

Good Luck
Mr. F

Tuesday, January 8, 2008

Welcome Back Party for You!

Winter Semi-Formal

Come out to Stella's this Tuesday night at 7:30 for some good food, drinks and laughs to start off 2008 on a good foot!

$20/person or $35/couple and it seems that many people are attending. Monday is the last day to bring in money and there is a dress code in effect. If it is easier, the $ in this Thursday to counselling group.

Let's show them what group 7 is all about!
_____________________________________________

New Calendar with updates

Here tis--our updated calendar with all the updates that I know about at this time :-)!!

Group 7 Calendar with January 2008 Revisions

Waterloo Catholic District School Board Teacher Recruitment Open House

The WCDSB is holding a Teacher Recruitment Open House for those interested in teaching with this board. Board Representatives will be available to highlight Board programs.

WHEN: Saturday, February 9 (9 AM-12PM)
WHERE: Waterloo Catholic Education Centre
35 Weber St. West, Kitchener, ON
CONTACTS: 519-578-3660 (Tracy Ellig, x. 2389 or Marj Goodyear, x2218)
http://www.wcdsb.ca

Details on School Board Information Day

WHAT: An opportunity to talk with representatives from Ontario Boards of Education as well as Educational Agencies. These will probably be small or large group conversations rather than individual interviews or conversations.

WHEN: 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
BOARDS Represented:
Toronto District School Board
Wellington Catholic District School Board
Durham District School Board
Conseil scolaire de district catholique Centre-Sud
York Region District School Board
Niagara Catholic District School Board
Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board
Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board
Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board
Avon Maitland District School Board
Bruce-Grey Catholic District School Board
Halton Catholic District School Board
Halton District School Board
District School Board of Niagara
Waterloo Catholic District School Board
Conference of Independent Schools
Simcoe County District School Board
Peel District School Board
Norfolk Catholic District School Board

ORGANZATIONS Represented:
Education Canada Network
Impact Teachers
Timeplan Education Group
Protocol Education
Classroom Canada
Smart Teachers
Apply to education
Leading Out
Canada 2 Korea
Teach in Korea (Canadian Connection)
VIF Program

WHERE: Four Points Sheraton(Schmon Parkway, across from Brock)

Don't miss the PJI Music Workshop

Don't miss the upcoming PJI Music Workshop, "It's Elemental! An Orff Approach to Delivery of the Ontario Music Curriculum". The details are:

WHEN: Sat., Feb. 2, 2008
WHERE: Hamilton Campus, GymnasiumTIME: 10am-12pm
COST: $5
REGISTRATION DATES: Jan. 7-18, 2008
CLINICIAN: Catherine West

Clinician Catherine West brings a wealth of experience as an Instructional Leader in music with the Toronto District School Board, the director of the Orff Teacher Training Program at the Royal Conservatory of Music, and a Basic Orff instructor for all Teacher Training Levels. She is well known across the country as an author, workshop clinician, and course instructor.

This is an excellent opportunity for you as teacher candidates to increase your instructional hours in the Arts. Participants will receive a handout and a certificate of participation. We hope to see you there! Any additional inquiries may be directed to Dr. Shelley Griffin (sgriffin@brocku.ca).
:-)
Candace

Changes for the New Year

Welcome back, everyone! I do hope you had a marvelously restful and enjoyable break! There have been a few changes while you were away!

First, our classroom is changing. We will be meeting every Thursday in the computer lab in WH205 beginning this Thursday! See ya there!

Second, don't forget School Board Information Day on Wednesday, January 9th and the afternoon with OCT/QECO on Friday, January 11th! (See additional post about this!)

More calendar changes--such is life ! Due to the new holiday in February (Canadian Family Day) and President's Day, the week of February 18-22 will look like this:

Feb. 18th (M) - university closed; everyone has day off
Feb. 19th (T) - university closed; everyone has day off
Feb. 20th (W) - MONDAY'S SCHEDULE of classes
Feb. 21st (Th) - THURSDAY'S SCHEDULE of classes
Feb. 22nd (F) - TUESDAY'S SCHEDULE of classes

You will receive an updated calendar Thursday! See ya then! I'll be anxious to catch up on all the new happenings in our group!
:-)
Candace

Voice and the Teacher Workshop

As a teacher, you will be consistently faced with losing your voice--just a part of the teaching world! Brock Education is underwriting a three-hour voice workshop presented by Janin Pearson. This means the cost to YOU is only $25. This may be the best $25 you could ever spend!

Here's the official notice:

VOICE AND THE TEACHER
Teachers without voices cannot teach. Every year, many teachers have to stop teaching for short or long periods due to vocal problems: stress caused by improper use and care of their voices. Yet in the opinion of some researchers in this field, some 75% of all vocal problems can be self-managed. All it takes is knowledge.

I am pleased to offer you the opportunity to attend a three-hour workshop on "Voice and the Teacher", to be presented by Janine Pearson, Head of Voice and Coaching at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival. This practical workshop will cover how the voice is produced, how to care for your voice, and how to manage vocal stress and colds. You will also be led through producing your voice properly and developing a warmup for your voice that will keep you talking and teaching throughout your career.

With the addition of some Faculty funding, cost of the workshop is $25.00.

You may choose either of two dates: Wednesday, January 16, 3:00 - 6:00 PM Wednesday, January 23, 3:00 - 6:00 PM Location: Gymnasium, Hamilton Campus

To register, go to https://secure1.foed.brocku.ca/events/ Note that a certificate will be provided to all participants to add to your professional portfolio.

If you have any questions, please contact me: dp07ax@brocku.ca Please take advantage of this workshop -- you will be learning practical skills that you will use every day of your career.