Alberta School Counsellor Spring 2017

Counsellor ALBERTA SCHOOL

Spring 2017

New School of Creative Technologies at Bow Valley College

Publications mail agreement #40934510

Fit Buddies at MacEwan University exercise the stress away Lethbridge College’s new trades and tech facility opening soon

HAS A

LEARNING

WILD SIDE Bring the forest to your classroom.

ONE INDUSTRY. MANY BRANCHES. We’d like to plant the seeds for a fun, engaging and informative presentation on Alberta’s forest sector.

Who can benefit?

• Grade 6, Trees and Forests Unit • Junior High, Outdoor Education, Science • High School, Biology, Career & Life Management, Outdoor Education

�� Book a presentation today!

Ann Normand, Work Wild Program Manager E. anormand@albertaforestproducts.ca P. 780.392.0762

Forestry Facts | Science & Sustainability | Career Planning

Counsellor ALBERTA SCHOOL

is published by DEL Communications Inc. Suite 300, 6 Roslyn Road Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada R3L 0G5 www.delcommunications.com President David Langstaff Publisher Jason Stefanik Managing Editor Cindy Chan cindy@delcommunications.com Sales Manager Dayna Oulion Toll Free: 1.866.424.6398 Advertising Account Executives Corey Frazer Ross James

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In this issue Message from the Alberta Teachers’ Association president, Sara Dean..........................................................................................4 The road to reconciliation Education the beginning of an honest path....................................................................

6

Teaching traditions and sharing knowledge Eileen Lucas and the Oskayak Aboriginal Drumming Group........................................ 8 The power of perseverance.......................................................................10 Creating a brighter path to the future Take advantage of programs at Bow Valley College’s new School of Creative Technologies.....................................................................................................

12

The evolution of career development The fourth annual Alberta Career Development Conference looks to the past and present.......................................................................................

Planting the seed Helping students find a career in the Alberta forest sector .............................................

14 16

Dual credit program offering big rewards for young learners........................................................18 From high school graduate to successful administrative professional.....................................20 Counsellors and personal trainers team up to tackle stress............................................................................ 22 Why young people should join the trades............................... 24 Inspiring places to learn Lethbridge College’s new trades and technologies facility to open this summer ..............................................................................

26

INdex to Advertisers Alberta Forest Products Association......... IFC Bow Valley College.......................................... OBC Building Trades of Alberta................................. 24 Calgary Construction Association...................5 Campbell College...................................................21

Career Development Association of Alberta...................................................................15 Lethbridge College..............................................IBC MacEwan University............................................. 23 Norquest College...................................................19 Red Deer College.....................................................11

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Alberta School Counsellor / Spring 2017 3

Message from the Council of School Counsellors for the Alberta Teachers’ Association president, Sara Dean

T

he switch from the classroom to the counselling office is a change that most have spent years preparing and are ready for. However, at times I found myself ill-prepared for the reality that the role of the teacher/counsellor can be one of solitude. We are, at times, susceptible to feeling like little islands in an ocean of teaching and learning. The Council of School Counsellors for the Alberta Teachers’ Association is a specialist council with over 800 members from across Alberta and our focus is on connecting and supporting teacher/ counsellors in their roles. As a council, we are focusing much of our energy on accessible resources that are practical for school counsellors in Alberta.

In November, Dr. Erin Mason provided a keynote at our provincial conference and

spoke to the importance of flipping your school counselling practice to get into the classrooms, working with teachers and curriculum to meet counselling needs. One of the examples she used was a science class working on volcanoes and the counsellor going in to the class to talk about anger management and self-regulation. The concept of using curriculum outcomes to flip our counselling practice is at the core of what our role is as school counsellors. This is no easy task, but Dr. Mason gave many tools that can assist and save hours of valuable time in the long run.

Just in time for Christmas, our very first edition of our peer reviewed journal, Canadian School Counselling Review, went to print and we are already excited about the possibilities of how the journal will grow and become accessible

in Alberta. Our hope as we move forward with the journal is to create a valuable and practical resource for school counsellors not only across the country but across the world. If you have ever thought of being published or are interested in contributing to the journal please contact us through our website www.guidancecouncil.ca.

Many of our executive members have taken to the stage (or convention room) to present on the topic of anxiety and how it can affect student learning as well as athletic performance. Again, our aim is to be able to share information with as many educators across the province so that mental wellness is a priority in every classroom. We hope you can check us out at a conference near you. As always, feel free to connect with us via our website, Facebook or Twitter. n

Individual copies of the Canadian School Counselling Review can be ordered at the following prices: one to four copies, $7.50 each; five to 10 copies, $5.00 each; more than 10 copies, $3.50 each.

Please add five per cent shipping and handling and five per cent GST. Please contact distribution at Barnett House to place your order. In Edmonton, dial (780) 447-9432.

For toll-free in Alberta, dial 1 (800) 232-7208, extension 432.

4 Alberta School Counsellor / Spring 2017

BMO CENTRE, HALL B STAMPEDE PARK

April 12, 2017 10:00 am - 3:00 pm P. 403.291.3350 E. yep@cca.cc

The road to reconciliation

Education the beginning of an honest path

By Tammy Schuster

In a report released in 2015 by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, the Commission states that many Canadians know little or nothing about the aboriginal peoples’ contributions to Canada. It says the lack of historical knowledge has serious consequences for First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples, and for Canada as a whole.

The report says it makes for poor public policy decisions and reinforces prejudiced attitudes and distrust.

In June 2016, the Alberta government committed to spending $5.3 million to

It’s a dark part of Canadian history,

develop a curriculum to teach students about First Nations, Metis and Inuit history.

one that has slowly come to light

Giovanna Longhi, teacher at Calgary Catholic

only in recent years. Education

does recognize First Nations, Metis and Inuit

School District, says the current curriculum perspectives; however, going forward, the

surrounding Canada’s indigenous

goal is to be more inclusive of the diverse

history is considered a vital key to

land. “We are looking at a larger and more

unlock understanding, healing and

to honour the history and the peoples and

growth, and resources are needed to help educate the educators.

perspectives, stories and histories of this honest view of history,” she says. “We want events that have led us to where we are today.”

Longhi is on the committee that is redesigning the social studies curriculum and says indigenous histories and perspectives will be considered foundation learning and will be integrated throughout the

6 Alberta School Counsellor / Spring 2017

Grade 9 students from CSSD at a two-day workshop on breaking the cycle of intergenerational trauma. Students were responsible for choosing a call to action and creating an informative video to help inspire action and engagement.

kindergarten to Grade 12 programming.

in an effort to assimilate them into a new

reconcile this dark part of our history.

The committee will work with many

Canadian-European society. Children

indigenous scholars and historians to

suffered from severe neglect, malnutrition,

develop the program over the next six

disease and physical and sexual abuse.

years.

“Residential schools were not talked

students on a two-day conference about addressing intergenerational trauma.

“Education is a huge element. We are

about publicly until recent years,” says

looking at how to examine the past, see

Longhi. “Today we see the impact of

its impact on the present and ensure

intergenerational trauma due to 100

a positive future in partnership with

years of residential schooling and

everybody who shares this land.”

other government laws and initiatives

The provincial curriculum will be developed with the help of the Alberta Teachers’ Association and it will include enhanced content about First Nations, Métis and Inuit ways of knowing, perspectives, experiences, languages and

that denied the rights and identity of Indigenous peoples.” While the topic requires a great deal of compassion, courage, and openness, she says education can be the beginning of an honest path toward reconciliation and intercultural

In October, Sara Dean, teacher and school counsellor at Calgary Catholic School District, accompanied Longhi and Grade 9

“The entire philosophy behind truth and reconciliation can be overwhelming even for an adult,” says Dean. “The conference program broke down each of the recommendations, and enabled the students to read and understand each recommendation, and communicate it to each other in a powerful and meaningful way.”

understanding.

Longhi says it was an incredibly positive

to fulfill the commitment made by the

Knowing about this part of history is

experience for the students. “By becoming

Government of Alberta to implement the

important in understanding how abuse and

principles and objectives of the United

neglect still affects survivors, their children

engaged citizens,” she says. “They inform

Nations Declaration on the Rights of

and their grandchildren today. Educators

their parents, they inform their peers, they

Indigenous Peoples and the Expression of

require specific training and resources

write letters, take action and exchange

Reconciliation for the Legacy of the Indian

to enable them to properly approach

knowledge with one another.”

Residential School System announced

this difficult subject in a respectful and

Education plays an important role in

at the Truth and Reconciliation event in

sensitive manner.

reconciliation. To build a peaceful unified

March 2014.

This move by the provincial government

future, Canadians must examine and learn

Residential schools existed throughout

is part of the calls to action developed by

from the past. “We are sharing the same

Canada for more than 100 years, with

the Truth and Reconciliation Commission,

Treaty 7 Lands and in order to go forward

the last one closing as recent as 1996.

citing 94 specific recommendations for the

we need to learn and know about each

Separating aboriginal children from their

government, education system and citizens

other,” says Longhi. “We can no longer be

families and cultural heritage was done

of Canada needed to help recognize and

perfect strangers.” n

cultures. Future curriculum will begin

informed citizens, they can become

Alberta School Counsellor / Spring 2017 7

Teaching traditions and sharing knowledge Eileen Lucas and the Oskayak Aboriginal Drumming Group

I

nspiring young students to heal, share and care, an aboriginal drumming program at an elementary school in Fort McMurray, Alta. began after one elementary school student asked to know more.

Eileen Lucas, a teacher and counsellor at Dr. K.A. Clark School, had just finished giving a presentation about indigenous culture and history to a class of Grade 3 students, when one of the students approached her about learning to drum.

Lucas offered to teach the student once a week in her office, but each time the student arrived for her lesson, she brought another interested student with her. With new students arriving for lessons weekly, and Lucas only having her own personal drum plus one extra, the continuously growing group learned to play on empty ice-cream containers.

With nearly 10 students playing drums and singing in her small office at school, Lucas approached the principal about the increasing interest. The drumming students, now named the Oskayak Aboriginal Drumming Group, were moved to a larger multi-purpose room and received a donation from Syncrude that enabled Lucas to supply her enthusiastic young group with 30 drums, 10 rattles and regalia.

8 Alberta School Counsellor / Spring 2017

“When I started the group, I wanted children from all nations to be involved,” she says. “Our school is very diverse with students representing 60 different countries.”

Lucas holds her drumming class every Tuesday during lunch and the 15-student class ranges from Grades 3 to 6 and is open to all backgrounds. Lucas says there is so much interest in the group she could easily hold three or four extra classes. And with the number of drums now available, Lucas can now bring the equipment to teach an entire classroom at once.

While Lucas is the organizer and instructor, she says she had a lot of help along the way including from the school principal and the FNMI (First Nations, Metis, Inuit) liaison at the time, and she receives continuous support from school mentors who help her each week.

Lucas teaches students drumming and songs in Ojibwe, Mi’kmaq and Cree languages. She also teaches the importance of the drum and of being a drum carrier. “I try to instill generosity which is a huge attribute in the aboriginal communities,” she says. Through partnerships with organizations such as Some Other Solutions (SOS), Centre of Hope and Northern Lights Regional Care Centre, students are learning about generosity, volunteerism and leadership.

Lucas holds her drumming class every Tuesday during lunch and the 15-student class ranges from Grades 3 to 6 and is open to all backgrounds.

Lucas says visiting the elders in the continuing care unit at Northern Lights throughout the year really open the eyes of the students. “It means a lot to both the elders and the students,” she says. “They see firsthand where elders spend their last days of life and they want to contribute in caring and loving ways.”

Sharing music with schools, organizations and at community events, Lucas says feedback has been overwhelming with invitations to attend events all year long. She says one young student even suggested they were so busy with all their invitations, he figured they must be famous.

The group has also collected food and made care packages for patrons of the Center of Hope, an organization for homeless people in Fort McMurray. The students had the opportunity to tour the organization and see there are people in their own community who live in poverty — something some students live with themselves.

Students also make traditional gifts to bring to those they visit such as medicine pouches, medicine shields, talking sticks, bunting bags and leather bookmarks. Students learn how the First Nations peoples lived, how they made and used the items and the materials used to make them.

Winner of the Indspire 2016 Indigenous Educator Award for Indigenous Culture, Traditions and Language, Lucas also teaches FNMI liaisons, after-school leaders and other teachers to play the drum. From the Qalipu Mi'kmaq First Nations in Newfoundland, she says her dream is to have all children play the drum. “A drum is a healing object,” she says. “As an aboriginal person, we believe the drum is a gift from Mother Earth, and as a drum carrier, we are expected to pass on our knowledge as a way to preserve our culture.”

Lucas says the students also learn cultural diversity, cooperation, kindness and the importance of becoming a part of society by passing on the aboriginal culture. “Most importantly, they are working together, finding out how others in their community live and feeling pride in both themselves and group acceptance.”

All valuable lessons the students can take with them as they grow through life. And the Grade 3 student who started it all is now in Grade 12 and on a recent visit to the Dr. Clark school, told Lucas she still plays the drum today. n

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Alberta School Counsellor / Spring 2017 9

The power of

S

perseverance

he’s a first-year student in the Educational Assistant program at Red Deer College (RDC). In her spare time, she competes in archery and also enjoys a variety of musical pursuits. Until recently, she was a horseback rider who competed in barrel racing and other speed events in high school rodeos.

And she has cerebral palsy.

Shayna McGregor’s unique perspective and powerful life experiences have shaped who she is, and she looks forward to using these strengths to help the students she’ll work with throughout her career.

“I came to RDC because I wanted to work with kids, and I figured that becoming an educational assistant would be a good way to help me do that,” she says. “I really want to bring a positive attitude and my experiences to help my students develop and to show them that anything is possible.”

This mindset is the hallmark of Shayna’s life. While her cerebral palsy is minor, she has had surgeries to help her condition, and she 10 Alberta School Counsellor / Spring 2017

describes how perseverance has played a big role in her life during these times. Throughout it all, her determination remains constant.

“I adapt really well, so if I’m given any challenge, I’ll find a way to do it,” she says.

As a recent high school graduate, one of the things Shayna has had to adapt to is living away from home for the first time. She’s from Compeer, in east central Alberta, and when it came time to choose her post-secondary route, “RDC was my top choice,” she explains. “My grandparents live in Red Deer, and my sister graduated from here, so it seemed like a natural fit.”

With close family members nearby and her classes in place, Shayna started a new adventure when she moved into residence at RDC. “I got to meet my roommates just before I moved in,” she explains.

“Moving away from home has its ups and downs, but I’ve had a lot of really good experiences, and my roommates are great.”

Shayna has also met new friends in her classes, and her instructors have been

a positive part of her experience.

“My instructors are really concerned with how their students are doing,” she says. “It really helps to have someone to go to when you have questions.”

As Shayna looks forward to her first practicum experience, she’s excited to work with the students in her Grade 2 class.

“I think I can have a different perspective than some of my classmates – being from a small town and having cerebral palsy,” she says. “I can bring my experiences to help the kids I work with.”

Shayna has a powerful reason for coming to RDC, and we all have our own unique and equally important motivations for pursuing postsecondary education. Perhaps it’s to follow a passion, to pursue a career or to retrain for new opportunities.

Visit www.rdc.ab.ca to meet other students and alumni and to learn about their reasons for taking the wide variety of programs offered at Red Deer College. n

SHAYNA’S REASON

My perspective and experiences will help the kids I work with.

I came to RDC because I want to be an Educational Assistant. I have minor cerebral palsy, but I adapt and find a way to overcome every challenge. When I work with students, I want to bring a positive attitude and share with them that anything is possible.

My name is Shayna, and my reason is perseverance.

Learn more at rdc.ab.ca/reasons

Creating a brighter path to the future Take advantage of programs at Bow Valley College’s new School of Creative Technologies

A

lberta school counsellors will be excited to learn that Bow Valley College is providing even more opportunities to prepare students for rewarding professional careers in various creative technologies industries.

With more and more of our lives being impacted by advances in technology every day, Bow Valley College is committed to provide applied technology training to expand the creativity and technical capabilities of Alberta’s workforce.

New School: The School of Creative Technologies The School of Creative Technologies was established at Bow Valley College to continue its focus on providing learners with the best opportunities to enter the labour force, work-ready. The School, which officially launched earlier this year, fosters a nurturing learning 12 Alberta School Counsellor / Spring 2017

environment that integrates the development of technology skill sets in design-driven projects.

Soft skills are hard to come by The School of Creative Technologies considers the whole learner to ensure graduates are confident, resilient and collaborative team players who can succeed in diverse work environments. The School has made a concerted effort to distinguish itself from other institutions by focusing on developing students’ interpersonal skills, so that they are comfortable communicating highly technical concepts to colleagues or clients in a work setting.

Dare to dream If you’ve ever had an amazing idea for a type of software or an application that can solve a problem, entertain or benefit your community in some way, the most recent program offerings from the School of Creative

Technologies are what you are looking for. The Software Development Diploma is designed to teach the skills needed to bring those brilliant ideas to life. While the finished product might be all fun and games, be prepared to develop your problem-solving skills in this program.

Bow Valley College believes in flexible learning and provides many opportunities for students to learn in a variety of different ways. The Software Development Diploma is no exception, as the program is delivered in flexible learning spaces, as long as the learners have a laptop computer with the required course software.

A separate path for Kitchen and Bath The second new program established by the School of Creative Technologies, the Kitchen and Bath Design PostDiploma Certificate, is specifically designed for those who want to add to their existing diploma or degrees in fields such as interior decorating and design, or architectural technologies. The first of its kind in Alberta, this new postdiploma program is designed to advance the careers of those interested in the residential kitchen and bath design industry. Students will learn to consider durability and the environment, while working within building codes and kitchen and bath industry design standards. They will also gain a better understanding of residential construction

practices and industry-specific materials and products.

Graduates will be eligible to write the National Kitchen and Bath Accreditation Examinations, as Bow Valley College is a member of the National Kitchen and Bath Association.

Expand your horizons The Software Development Diploma and the Kitchen and Bath Design Post-Diploma Certificate are new offerings from the School of Creative Technologies, which already has one established program. The School’s first program, the Interior Decorating Diploma, teaches students how to work effectively in a variety of roles in the interior decorating industry. This two-year diploma program provides learners with the practical skills and abilities to work with the various elements of decoration such as colour, light, mass, textures and size. Students learn how to communicate with clients and other industry professionals and develop business skills specific to their industry. Learners also become proficient in drawing, sketching and 2D and 3D modelling. Upon completion of this diploma, graduates will be capable of decorating a new home or office or redecorating an existing one with style and confidence.

Accelerate your career by adding one of these Creative Technologies’ offerings to your credentials, because the best way to stand out is to be ahead of the crowd. n Alberta School Counsellor / Spring 2017 13

The Evolution of

Career Development The fourth annual Alberta Career Development Conference looks to the past and present

By Paula Wischoff Yerama, CCDP, executive director of the Career Development Association of Alberta

I

n 2017, the Career Development Association of Alberta (CDAA) will celebrate its 20th anniversary.

Over the past 20 years the association has grown and evolved much like the profession and the career development practitioners it supports.

Career development theories, service delivery models, resources and tools have evolved. Not only has career development practice evolved but 14 Alberta School Counsellor / Spring 2017

so too has the world of work for career development practitioners and their clients. Through the CDAA and its initiatives career development practitioners are equipped to deliver quality career development services in an evolving world.

Those of us who deliver career development services recognize career development conversations when we

hear them and career development activities when we see them. We understand what career development is and the value it adds. Our clients know what the outcome of good career development feels like but might not know that the activities they undertook are part of a lifelong process called career development. While access to career development services, resources and tools has changed, the career

development process has remained relatively consistent. Understanding of self remains paramount to the career development process yet the theories and tools related to gaining this understanding have evolved.

Labour market knowledge and research remain critical components to the decision-making process yet the resources available to conduct this research have also evolved.

Central to career development processes are the thoughtful and committed citizens whom the CDAA has had the privilege of serving for the past 20 years, its members and the broader career development community. The work of career development practitioners, regardless of job title or work environment, is important work. It is work that changes individuals, families and communities. It changes work places and it transcends politics and economics. When individuals, families, communities and teams experience career development lives change and the world changes.

The Career Development Association of Alberta is honoured to host the fourth annual Alberta Career Development Conference (ACDC) at the Fantasyland Hotel in West Edmonton Mall, Edmonton, Alberta on May 3 and 4, 2017. The 2017 conference theme is “The Evolution of Career Development,” and will feature keynote presentations from Dr. Dave Redekopp and Sareena Hopkins, two of CDAA’s first Honourary Members.

May 3, 2017: Career Development Then and Now: Taking our Field Back to the Future Unlike Marty McFly and his timetravelling DeLorean car, we can’t go back and alter events in our past - but we can learn from them. This session will explore how our past and present can inform our future. Redekopp and Hopkins will explore the key people and events that have shaped career development (particularly in Alberta) over the last 20 years, highlighting the forces that have brought us to where we are today. They will then focus squarely on the here and now, using key themes to frame a series

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” - Margaret Mead of table discussions on current strengths and challenges in the field.

Together we will collectively describe the critical foundations of career development in Alberta. This will serve as a starting point for day two’s keynote exploring the future of career development - what it looks like and how Albertans can actively shape it.

will become stronger, more vibrant/ engaged, visible and valued, and therefore have greater impact.

May 4, 2017: Career Development Now and Then: Shaping the Future of Career Development in Alberta

• Career counselling / coaching techniques

Gandhi said, “The future depends on what you do today.” Although our field has been influenced by our collective past, it is now ready to be actively shaped by what we do today and tomorrow. Following day one’s keynote, Edekopp and Hopkins will briefly summarize what they heard in terms of the career development field’s current strengths and challenges in Alberta. They will then lay out some critical themes to be considered as we all shift our focus to the future, drawing in as appropriate some inspiration from other parts of Canada or internationally.

Table discussions will have participants articulate the future they want to create - how Alberta’s career practitioners

• Workforce planning and development

With over 20 session options each day of the conference you will gain perspectives, knowledge, and insights to influence your career development practice in the following areas:

• Trends, tools and technology • Career development research and theories

• Personal development and wellness • Leadership, supervision and mentorship • Best practices for diverse client groups Event registration opens on February 1, 2017 and closes on April 28, 2017. Please visit www.careerdevelopment.ab.ca for more details and plan to join your colleagues in Edmonton, Alberta on May 3 and 4, 2017. n Keynote Speakers

Alberta Career Development Conference

Sareena Hopkins,

ACDC 2017: The Evolution of Career Development

WEDNESDAY, MAY 3, 2017:

Career Development Then and Now: Taking our Field Back to the Future Unlike Marty McFly and his time-travelling DeLorean car, we can’t go back and alter events in our past...but we can learn from them. This session will explore how our past and present can inform our future.

Executive Director of the Canadian Career Development Foundation

Dr. Dave Redekopp President of the Life-Role Development Group Ltd.

THURSDAY, MAY 4, 2017:

Career Development Now and Then: Shaping the Future of Career Development in Alberta Gandhi said, “The future depends on what you do today.” Although our field has been influenced by our collective past, it is now ready to be actively shaped by what we do today and tomorrow.

Fantasyland Hotel, West Edmonton Mall, Edmonton, AB Information and registration at www.careerdevelopment.ab.ca Alberta School Counsellor / Spring 2017 15

Planting the seed Helping students find a career in the Alberta forest sector

I

By Carly Peters

deas are like tiny seeds – plant them, provide them the required necessities and they’ll grow.

For over six years, the Alberta Forest Products Association has been giving Alberta students the insight and tools to grow their career in forestry.

The association’s Work Wild program informs youth and job seekers about the diversity of employment opportunities in forestry and the benefits of working in this sustainable sector.

With 60 per cent of Alberta being covered in forest, and longterm forest management plans going up to 200 years in the future, the career opportunities are as vast as the tree-line.

Ann Normand, program manager for Work Wild, says while they used to have to reach out to schools in order to showcase this exciting sector, they’re now fielding calls for their in-class presentations.

16 Alberta School Counsellor / Spring 2017

“We’re seeing a lot more teachers coming to us because they want students to see the variety of career paths out there,” she explains. “There has been a shift in the schools. Teachers and counsellors seem to be informing students about opportunities in the skilled trades more than they were a few years ago.”

While the forest sector does boast some interesting skilled trades options, there are also many other facets to the sector – a key point brought up in Work Wild’s 45-to-80-minute school presentations. Targeted at Grades 6 to 12, the free-of-charge sessions are presented by forestry educators who will cover the variety of opportunities for students in forestry, including training programs, scholarships and jobs. Students will also come out of the presentation with a better understanding of sustainable forestry practices.

“Careers in the forest sector can range from environmental sciences to engineering to industrial nurses,” explains Normand, adding that there are roughly 19,000 Albertans employed in the sector, and as the baby boomers are retiring there will be opportunities to move in to the field and move up the ladder.

Along with class presentations, the Work Wild program offers curriculum-supporting material and interactive resources for the classroom, such as lesson plans that allow students to examine an interactive map of the forest and consider numerous factors including wildlife, bodies of water, recreation and logging.

Normand adds they’ve recently developed three new videos for the classroom on the importance of forestry in Alberta. Additional material can also be found at workwild. ca where students can take a career quiz, read job profiles, learn about scholarships and browse job postings.

Along with in-class resources, Work Wild offers information on some great hands-on opportunities for high school students. The Junior Forest Rangers (JFR) program is a summer job perfect for

Along with class presentations, the Work Wild program offers curriculum-supporting material and interactive resources for the classroom students who love the outdoors and want to get some work experience. JFR crew experiences can range from thinning trees in order to reduce the threat of wildfire, constructing trails, planting trees to engaging in wildfire management scenarios. JFRs also receive training in bear awareness, radio operations, first aid and CPR and wildfire orientation. Some of these skills can be applied towards high school credit.

While a love of nature and the outdoors is ideal for both the JFR program and a career in forestry, it’s not a prerequisite.

“The quality you need to work in the forest sector is an open mind,” concludes Normand. “There are a lot of options and career paths; it’s not just about planting trees outside. There’s so much more to explore.” n

Alberta School Counsellor / Spring 2017 17

Dual credit program offering big rewards to young learners

S

he’s 17 years old, a NorQuest College alumna and practising health care professional, and she won’t graduate from high school until June 2017.

You read that right. Kaylyn Flaska has had her sights set on a career in health since she was 12 years old and thanks to NorQuest’s dual credit program, her childhood dream came true before she turned 18.

18 Alberta School Counsellor / Spring 2017

Kaylyn is one of a growing number of young people who is getting a headstart on her postsecondary education and career by simultaneously earning high school and college credits. She currently attends Edmonton’s St. Joseph High School and Ascension Collegiate. Her dual credit program – Health Care Aide – which she completed in June of 2016 was the first to be offered by NorQuest. She started it in Grade 11.

“It feels great. I have always wanted to be in the medical field. This is my foot in the door and I can go wherever I want from here,” she says, noting that her long-term goal is to work in prenatal nursing.

For the time being, however, she is putting her education to good and important use as a home care provider for her boyfriend’s grandmother, who recently had surgery and needs qualified attention.

residents be happy and smiling because they have these students who are being so nice to them.”

The experience has been so rewarding for Kaylyn that she has become an advocate for the dual credit program. Recently she spoke to students at her high school about the benefits of getting an early start, and also joined NorQuest College staff and faculty at a job fair promoting the program.

“I feel very accomplished,” she says.

Students interested in business can also access the Administrative Professional dual credit program, although that is currently only being offered in Spruce Grove.

However, a host of individual post-secondary business, health, and university transfer courses are available for students at a number of partner high schools throughout our regional stewardship area. For more information visit norquest.ca/dualcredit. n

For more than 50 years, NorQuest College has been preparing students for their next step in life. We offer program options in business, health, and community studies, and a range of student supports and services.

Relevant education, inclusive environment, unforgettable experience – find it all at NorQuest College.

“I just really like helping people. I have always had the mindset that if you can help someone’s life be better, then why don’t you? And with the health care field you can do that, especially as a health care aide. You are dealing with clients and residents who need your care.

So if I could help them and make them feel human and not degraded, it gives me a lot of satisfaction and pride. During my practicum, that was my favourite part: seeing these

Step Forward Learn more | 780.644.6000 norquest.ca

McKenzie, Therapeutic Recreation program graduate

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Alberta School Counsellor / Spring 2017 198:21 AM 2017-01-18

From high school graduate to successful administrative professional

By Shannie Reyes

C

hoosing to go back to school after a two-year hiatus after high school was not something I decided in a snap. I knew for a fact that I didn’t want to work in retail forever, but at the same time, I felt that I would be wasting time and money going to university to get a degree in an area I wasn’t passionate about.

To be honest, I didn’t know what career I really wanted in life, but I knew that I was at a point in my life where I needed a change — I was not growing anymore. I’ve always had a lot of pressure from my family as to what post-secondary educational and career path I should take; however, in the end, it was my parents who told me about Campbell College. They knew a few people who had taken their Administrative Professional program, including my aunt, and all of them were now successfully employed. I decided to speak to my aunt about her experience in the program, and she told me that the school only specialized in one program, which was very focused and professional. I was told the instructors were approachable, the class sizes small, and the staff really supported their students. She advised me to attend an information session and find out for myself, which I did, so this was my first step forward.

20 Alberta School Counsellor / Spring 2017

At the session, I found out everything I needed to really make a wise decision about investing my time, money and effort in their program. The fact that I would have a two-month practicum after only being in school training for six months appealed to me the most. They required that I do some research to make sure that I would be a good fit working in administration, which was an eyeopener too. What I discovered before I made the commitment was that I really liked working as part of a team, loved interacting with people, was an organized person and had good communication skills from my retail experience that would greatly benefit me in administration. I felt confident this school and program would be a good start for me, and I knew that without the necessary training and experience it would be hard to compete for jobs (especially with the ongoing recession). I made my decision to enrol, and I am now so grateful that I did.

My journey through this program was exciting, a lot of work and a challenge at the same time.

The best part for me (besides getting training in the practical, clerical skills), I also learned about emotional intelligence, which is intrapersonal and interpersonal skills. The professional workshops

were equally important as the technical skill-training, because now I am very confident when I interact in a professional team environment as well as when I communicate in my personal life.

When it came time for my practicum, I was a little upset that I didn’t get any of the choices I had listed.

Instead, my counsellor suggested that I first go for an interview at the City of Edmonton, Corporate Services, Pension, Payroll, and Benefits. I was confused because I didn’t have any experience in payroll, but as soon as I got there for my interview, I knew that I wanted to stay. Campbell College staff members are awesome and intuitive, and they really match each student’s personality and skills perfectly for the practicum so we will be successful.

During my two-month work experience, I was treated like a member of their department. I got to use all the skills I had learned in the Administrative Professional program, and I was taught new software and procedures in a short period of time to manage payroll and benefits. Campbell College constantly stressed the importance of being accurate in your work and being professional at all times.

I followed their advice and my

final practicum evaluation stated, “No areas for improvement, very fast at work with high accuracy, independent and responsible hard worker who requires minimal supervision. Shannie is an excellent team player. Her work is excellent, and she is very efficient. She is always asking me for more work and we can’t wait to have her start with us on Monday!”

Yes, my expectations were met at Campbell College. I’m so lucky to be hired by the City of Edmonton, which is an amazing place to work and has so many opportunities for my future, and I now believe that I am capable of doing anything life throws at me.

I truly want to thank Campbell College for preparing me for “the real world” and wish them a happy 30th anniversary. They are doing great work and helping people succeed — it was certainly worth going to their information session as that day changed my life. n Alberta School Counsellor / Spring 2017 21

Counsellors and personal trainers team up to tackle student stress

L

auren Cummings admits she was a bit nervous the first time she volunteered to be a Fit Buddy, but the second-year student in MacEwan University’s Bachelor of Physical Education transfer program wasn’t the only one with reservations.

“The first thing one of my Fit Buddies said to me was that he was so intimidated about not knowing where to go or what to do in the gym that he had never even walked through the turnstiles before,” says Cummings.

Making it easier for students to integrate physical wellness — and ultimately mental wellness — into their lives is exactly why the university is piloting a new Physical 22 Alberta School Counsellor / Spring 2017

Activity for Students Success (PASS) program, which includes Fit Buddy.

“Stress can aggravate the symptoms of mental health issues and cause them to flare up,” says Craig Gnauck, counsellor with the university’s wellness and psychological services.

“Often taking care of the stress helps take care of the symptoms.”

While physical activity is a great tool, Gnauck says there are many reasons students don’t make their way to the gym — especially when they’re facing a barrage of midterms, papers, and exams. “When students are hunkering down, it can feel like nothing else exists — including sleep, meals and exercise."

Enter the PASS program. Depending on a student’s situation, counsellors, case managers, and learning specialists can suggest students head to the university’s sport and wellness facility and take advantage of the access included in their student fees. Any student can stop by for an orientation, or pair up with a “Fit Buddy” to mentor them during three workouts.

If a student needs a more formal solution, they can also get a “prescription” for the PASS program — their ticket to another level of services that includes a series of scheduled sessions with a certified personal trainer or exercise physiologist.

“This program sends a message to students that their lives and experiences aren’t compartmentalized,” says Craig.

“It reinforces that taking care of their mental health well-being also involves taking care of their physical health. It needs to be holistic.”

The fact that PASS is a scheduled, organized experience is something that Craig feels is important.

“It’s much different than offering general advice like ‘you should start exercising,’” he says. “Students are part of a regular, formal program so it becomes part of their routine.”

When students are paired with a Fit Buddy, for example, they are committing to three workout sessions.

“It’s basically like working out with a new friend,” says Cummings.

“In the first session we introduce ourselves, take a tour of the gym, and find out what type of workout they’re interested in doing. During the second and third sessions, we just work out together.”

The university is continuing to evaluate the program’s success, but early results and feedback are proving positive.

“I love seeing people progress toward a goal, and my fit buddies seem to appreciate the program too,” says Cummings. “After that third session, they have all said they really enjoyed their workouts and plan to come back on their own.” n

Historian. Truth seeker. Time traveller.

For Chantal Roy Denis, history isn’t just about looking at the past—it’s also about understanding the present and shaping the future. Before she even walked through the university’s doors, Chantal had already decided to design her degree in a very personal way—one that would time and again take her "home" to study the Métis cause, its people and their struggle.

Read more about Chantal’s story at MacEwan.ca/Chantal.

Alberta School Counsellor / Spring 2017 23

Why young people should join the trades Whether they are constructing oil refineries like the Sturgeon Refinery – the first greenfield refinery to be built in Canada in over 30 years and the first in the world to incorporate carbon capture from the outset, or building sports arenas like the new Rogers Place in Edmonton - where the Edmonton Oilers now call home, tradespeople have a truly important role to play in the development of our province.

People join the trades for many reasons. Sometimes, they join because their mother, father, or other family member is in the trades. Sometimes they do it because they really enjoyed shop class.

Some join because they know they don’t want to wear a tie for the next 40 years. More and more, people are getting into the trades because they take a look at what they want out of life and do a thorough search of what different career options can give them. Below are some of the things that they consider: • Education: In order to make a good enough living to be able to raise a family, most people recognize that an education is required. University education can be valuable (education is never a waste), but it can leave the student with tens of thousands of dollars of debt and there is no guarantee that they will be able to use their degree when they graduate. Training for trades through union halls is available to people with no cost at all, and the students can work and earn money doing exactly what they are training for while they are completing their education. They can earn while they learn.

• Earning: Speaking of earning, since tradespeople have the ability to work at their trade while they are learning their trade, they get a leg up on many of their peers because by the time everyone has completed four years of school, the tradesperson has become a journeyperson and, depending on their trade, can be earning six figures! How many university grads can say that after four years of school?

• Lifestyle: Sitting at a desk isn’t for everyone.

Neither is working inside. Trade work appeals

to people who prefer a more active day. These people get to use their bodies as they carry out their daily work. The flexibility that comes with the work schedule that can be available to people in the building trades can also make it easier for the worker to truly enjoy their time away from work as well, because working through a union hall means workers can choose when and where they work. They will never have to apply for a job – the employers contact the unions who then share the work with their members.

• Pride in accomplishment: Moving paper around a desk, selling insurance or defending people in court can all be important jobs which bring about a sense of accomplishment, but when a tradesperson participates in building an airport, an electricity generating station or a skyscraper, the evidence of what they accomplish is there for everyone to see and marvel at. Having a tangible product at the end of a job can provide a real boost in pride.

• Opportunity to work: While we will always need doctors, lawyers, administrators and many of the other career options available to young Albertans, we are facing a pending shortage of skilled labour.

That means that today’s students will be heading into an economy that needs skilled tradespeople in order to flourish, so taking advantage of the situation and entering a field in demand will help them to build a life.

• Opportunity to grow: For many, getting a journeyperson ticket is only the beginning: there are opportunities to perfect their craft, to move into supervision, to focus on safety, mentorship or industry advancement or even start their own business. With the strong foundation that a trades ticket can provide, it is really up to the individual how far they decide to go.

There are many other reasons to look into joining the trades – what matters is that students have all the options when it comes time to make their decision about what their next step should be. n

Dominique Tousignant, who went straight from his apprenticeship into full-time work as a journeyman welder, is one of dozens of Lethbridge College graduates who played a part in helping to build the college’s new trades and technologies facility.

Inspiring places to learn: Lethbridge College’s new trades and technologies facility to open this summer

D

ale Krall, an electrical engineer and 2007 graduate of Lethbridge College’s Electrician apprenticeship program, has worked on 21 educational buildings during the last nine years, and he’s learned a thing or two while he was at it.

“You have to remember what the building is about,” he says. “It’s important that buildings are not just cubes where you go to learn skills; they also need to be inspiring places to learn. In an inspiring building, you can take a step back and look around and understand that the skill you are learning is only a piece of the puzzle.

A building can be something really great – a place for people to learn that is interactive and encourages growth.”

The new trades and technologies facility at Lethbridge College, Krall says, is just such a building.

“The labs are going to be awesome,” says Krall, who is an associate at SMP Engineering, which is working on the project, and one of the scores of Lethbridge College graduates who has had an opportunity to build the newest facility at their 26 Alberta School Counsellor / Spring 2017

alma mater. “They are going to be great places to learn.”

The new facility will house electrical, welding, agriculture equipment, automotive service, parts and heavy equipment skilled apprentices as well as wind turbine technology, engineering design, interior design, geomatics and civil engineering technologies students. All of these fields are linked to careers that are in high demand in the region, province and country.

And all of them will incorporate experienced instructors, small class sizes and the latest technology, including virtual reality training in the Interior Design Technology program and the latest computer programs in the Geomatics and Engineering Design and Drafting technologies programs, along with room for the Centre for Applied Research and the trades program’s support shop.

Phase 1 of the new trades and technologies facility opened to students in August 2015, while the ground-breaking for Phase 2 took place in October of that same year.

The two phases combined will

measure 168,812 square feet and will be the largest trades and technologies training facility south of Calgary. It will accommodate an additional 880 students, increasing overall capacity to 2,300 students who will get handson experience in skilled trades, as well as in existing and emerging technologies. The first classes in the new facility are scheduled for Aug. 21, 2017, and the grand opening will be a major part of the college’s 60th anniversary celebrations.

“Our students are at the core of this new building we’re constructing,” says Lethbridge College president and CEO Dr. Paula Burns at the groundbreaking in April 2014. “All of our work is focused on increasing their access to post-secondary education and to change the lives of those looking build their futures. Our students are looking to the solid reputation of Lethbridge College to ignite their passion for a career that will showcase their strengths and talents.

This new trades and technologies facility will provide the innovative and flexible space for our students to grow and train as individuals and teams of learners alongside leaders in their industries.” n

Think outside the box.

Think Bow Valley College.

From the award-winning college known for work-ready graduates comes the new School of Creative Technologies. Non-competitive entry makes these programs easily accessible, so all students have the chance to pursue a rewarding career. Learners triumph through building their teamwork and hands-on technology skills. Encourage your students to step out of the box and prepare for diverse workplaces in Calgary, Alberta, or beyond.

Software Development Digital Marketing Kitchen & Bath Design Interior Decorating Visit bowvalleycollege.ca today.