TEACHERS SHAPE THE WORLD BY HELPING STUDENTS
prepare for the future.
DEAN
Welcome to the start of your teaching career here in the Faculty of Education.
Since the early 1960s, we have seen over 16,000 students graduate from our programs and then go on to make a real difference in people’s lives. Not only in schools, but in a range of employment opportunities that use the skills, knowledge and attitudes that an Education degree provides. Graduates from our programs are also found across the world, from those close to home in Ontario to those further afield in places as diverse as Australia, Botswana and the Caribbean.
Why study in the Faculty of Education at Lakehead University? Precisely because we offer opportunities to expand your educational horizons, and your knowledge of where an Education degree might take you. Working with highly qualified instructors, our programs provide you with a student-centred teaching and learning environment that blends theory and practice. That practice includes working with students within schools
within a few weeks of the start of your program, and a total of 105 days working in schools over the two-year program. The final placement also provides opportunities to work in a range of educational settings, such as museums, outdoor education and science centres and community organizations. Other opportunities include working in northern communities, and internationally in places such as St. Maarten, Malaysia and the United Kingdom.
We work closely with our colleagues in the Ontario Ministry of Education, school boards across Ontario, teacher organizations and the Ontario College of Teachers to make your entry into the profession as smooth as possible. All our programs are accredited by the Ontario College of Teachers, which means an Education degree from Lakehead is valued and recognized around the world.
With the combination of great instructors, programs that offer opportunities to develop the educational skills, knowledge and attitudes that are increasingly in demand, and the opportunity to develop your teaching and learning both at home and abroad, I am confident that you have made the right decision in choosing Lakehead.
Dr. Wayne Melville Dean, Faculty of Education
50+ FOR
EDUCATION & THE LAKEHEAD Advantage
DIVERSE COURSE OFFERINGS
The Faculty of Education offers a full complement of theoretical and practical teacher education courses. We offer multiple electives in teaching Kindergarten, religious education, teaching in isolated communities, teaching internationally, outdoor education, multicultural education, drama, music, and many others; along with a wide range of teachables in the Intermediate / Senior division. We also offer an enhanced focus on topics including children’s rights, systemic violence, environmental education, literacy and numeracy, international education, and teacher mentoring.
ACCLAIMED FACULTY WITH SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE
Our dynamic faculty members have specialized knowledge in a wide variety of educational fields, and have active research agendas in areas including early literacy and numeracy, large-scale testing and evaluation, Indigenous education in a Canadian context, environmental education, and math and science education. We also have a vibrant research culture where faculty and graduate students are keen to share their research.
EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING
All students participate in student-teaching placements to observe effective teaching, apply instructional approaches in classroom settings, and be guided and supported by an Associate Teacher. The teaching placements are central to our program, and our Education program offers 105 days of experience in classrooms over a two-year period. There are also additional opportunities for in-school experiences through other courses.
PERSONAL CLASS & CAMPUS ENVIRONMENT
Our small class sizes ensure you are comfortable in your learning environment and receive individualized attention from professors who know your name. Our Thunder Bay and Orillia campuses are walking-friendly with year-round opportunities for recreation.
your future
Interesting and Diverse Career Paths
A degree in Education prepares you for diverse employment options. Lakehead University graduates work as teachers in schools throughout Ontario, in provinces and territories across Canada, in remote fly-in communities and in countries around the world. Our program prepares you for classroom teaching in public, private or alternative school settings.
It also prepares you for other career opportunities beyond a traditional teaching position. Our graduates have successfully pursued many types of employment, including entering the workforce in the government or private sector, providing training in diverse organizations where learning is important, working for a non-governmental organization, working internationally, and pursuing other education-related fields.
Transferable Skills
The broad-based skills you develop in the Education program are transferable to many types of teaching and related professions.
Here are just some of the many transferable skills you will develop:
• Principles of teaching and learning
• Research and presentation skills
• Oral and written communication skills
• Interpersonal and group management skills
• Motivational skills
• Planning and organizing
• Methods of instruction
• Evaluating and reporting
• Information processing and dissemination
• Identification of learning needs
HERE’S WHAT SOME OF OUR GRADUATES ARE DOING NOW:
Krystyna Villanueva-Gruszecka
Guidance Counselor and New Teacher Development Lead, Keewaytinook Internet High School
Sherri-Lynne Pharand
Director of Education, Lakehead Public Schools
Ryan Branoff
Regional Elementary De-Streaming Coach, York Region DSB
George Drazenovich
Policy Advisor, Office of Human Rights and Equity, Lakehead University
Nicolas Kopot
Principal, Helen Kalvak Elihakvik School (Ulukhaktok, NT)
Tara Hahkala-Crawford
2020 Point-in-Time Count Coordinator, Lakehead Social Planning Council / Community Justice Worker, John Howard Society of Thunder Bay
Al McLean
Superintendent of Education, DSB Ontario North East
Danielle Chandler
Theatre in Education Director, Magnus Theatre
Jennifer Essex
Grade 1 Teacher/Teacher Leader for Literacy, Sunchild First Nation School, Alberta
Cameron Ivall
Grade 3 Teacher, Pikangikum Education Authority
Myriam Abdulbaki
Physics Teacher, My Little House School, Saudi Arabia
Adrienne Roberts
Special Education Teacher, Hagersville Secondary School
Jason Bruce
Teacher, Crescent International School, Bangkok, Thailand
123,200+ POPULATION
305 DAYS OF PER YEAR SUNSHINE
THUNDER BAY
Experience an unbeatable quality of life with some of the shortest commute times - get anywhere within 15 minutes! From live theatre, festivals and concerts to shopping, great nightlife and a vibrant arts and culture scene, there is something for everyone. Outdoor enthusiasts, get ready! Thunder Bay has unlimited outdoor activities to enjoy in all four seasons.
visitthunderbay.com
50+ ANNUAL CITY EVENTS & FESTIVALS
4 MAJOR AIRLINES
200+ RESTAURANTS FEATURING FOODS FROM AROUND THE WORLD
33,400+ POPULATION
Nestled on the shores of Lake Couchiching and Lake Simcoe, Orillia is a vibrant city with over 33,400 people. Orillia has all the amenities of a large urban centre, with small-town charm that offers year-round opportunities for arts, culture, recreation, and music.
200+KM WALKING & BIKING TRAILS www.orillia.ca
GATEWAY TO 20-MINUTE DRIVE FROM BARRIE
101+ RESTAURANTS COTTAGE COUNTRY
RESIDENCE TYPE:
Apartments and Townhouses
• 4 private, furnished bedrooms with high speed internet
• Shared furnished living and dining areas, kitchen and four-piece washroom plus a two-piece washroom
• Utilities included and card-operated laundry
• Parking pass available for purchase
RESIDENCE TYPE: Residence Halls
• Single rooms furnished with high speed internet
• Bathroom shared with one other student
• Double bed with in-suite sink
• Choice of 2 compulsory declining meal plans
• Every floor includes laundry facilities, kitchenette and quiet study room
orilliaresidence@lakeheadu.ca
YOUR next steps
Read Your Offer Carefully
Carefully review your Offer of Admission, including admissions conditions, upcoming deadlines and important next steps.
Accept Your Offer
Accept your Offer of Admission via OUAC by the deadline stated in your offer. Please note, you may only hold one accepted offer of admission from an Ontario university.
Conditional Offers
You are required to satisfy the conditions of your offer, if any, as detailed in your offer.
Submitting Final Grades and Official Transcripts
The deadline to submit your final official transcript(s) with proof of degree is stated in your Offer of Admission.
You must wait until after the convocation date at your home institution to order your final official transcript(s) to ensure your degree appears on your transcript.
For Applicants Graduating from an Ontario University: Use the Transcript Request Form, found on your OUAC account, to order your final official transcript(s).
For Applicants Graduating from a University Outside of Ontario, or submitting transcripts directly, please: Request that your institution send transcripts electronically to docs.admission@ lakeheadu.ca. Please include your full name, student ID and password to access your transcript, if required.
Or mail them to: Lakehead University Recruitment & Admissions 955 Oliver Road, Thunder Bay, ON P7B 5E1
For Applicants Graduating from Lakehead University: You do not need to submit a final official transcript to Lakehead University as we already have access to your information.
For Applicants Already Graduated:
If you have already graduated at the time of application and you are not currently completing any courses, you do not need to send us another transcript.
If your offer expires, connect with our team of Student Central Professionals: www.lakeheadu.ca/studentcentral. 3
A non-refundable confirmation deposit is also required as part of your acceptance. The non-refundable confirmation deposit must be received by the deadline date stated in your offer of admission letter. Your confirmation deposit reserves your seat in your program and will be applied to your tuition fees.
You will not be able to pay your confirmation deposit until we receive your decision to accept your Lakehead offer from the OUAC. This can take a few days.
PREPARE FOR YOUR EDUCATION
Students will complete a minimum of 105 days of practice teaching divided into four blocks: two are completed in Year 1, and two are completed in Year 2.
To prepare for your Year 1 student teaching placements, you will be required to submit the Teacher Candidate Placement Preference Application Form Forms will be provided to teacher candidates in early spring, and must be submitted by the acceptance deadline noted by your Placement Officer.
Please be sure that you have researched your Year 1 placement board(s) thoroughly before submitting the form as this submission represents a firm commitment to attend the placement with the partnership board(s) named. Changes are not permitted once this form is submitted. Do not contact school boards, principals, associate teachers, etc. on your own. All placements are arranged by the Placement Officer.
Learn more about our partnership boards.
For additional information about student teaching placements, please contact the Faculty of Education at the campus you plan to attend:
Thunder Bay Campus:
Alexis Paulusma, Placement Officer (807) 343-8010 ext. 8046
Email: tbplacement.educ@lakeheadu.ca
Orillia Campus:
Sarah McIsaac, Placement Officer (705) 330-4010 ext. 2023
Email: orplacement.educ@lakeheadu.ca
Complete a Math Competency Exam
All Primary/Junior (P/J) teacher candidates must complete the math competency exam with a mark of 75%, or higher, in order to complete your program and receive your Bachelor of Education degree.
There are 2 sittings in Year 1 (September and March) and, if needed, two more sittings in Year 2 (September and March). Details about how to prepare for the exam and the exam sitting dates, will come from the Faculty of Education. This compulsory exam helps to ensure that all P/J teacher candidates understand basic mathematical concepts.
lakeheadu.ca/education/undergraduate/student-resources/math-exam
Complete a Police Records Check / Vulnerable Sector Screening
School boards require a recent Police Record Check (PRC) / Vulnerable Sector Screening (VSS). You are required to obtain a PRC/VSS from your local police authority. A government issued picture ID must be presented at the time of application. If you have an expired PRC/VSS document, present it at the time of application as doing so may expedite the process and reduce wait time. VSS application forms will be provided by Alexis Paulusma, Placement Officer (Thunder Bay Campus), or Sarah McIsaac, Placement Officer (Orillia Campus)
Remember
Monitor your Lakehead University myEmail account on a regular basis for placement correspondence.
in early spring. Partnership Boards may have additional requirements for obtaining the PRC/VSS. For more information, refer to “Our Partnership School Boards”. We recommend that you obtain two original copies of the PRC/VSS documentation. Please keep a copy of your issued receipt as proof of application. As a condition of admission to the Bachelor of Education program, you are required to electronically submit your PRC/VSS by the deadline outlined by your Placement Officer.
School boards require a Police Record Check (PRC) / Vulnerable Sector Screening (VSS) to be current within six months, hence it is advisable that you apply for your PRC/VSS by June 1, 2025 to ensure that your PRC/VSS is valid by the time your placement begins.
Please Note: If you reside in the City of Toronto, and are attending the Thunder Bay Campus, it is advisable that you apply for your PRC/VSS in early May due to lengthy processing times.
Complete the Health and Safety Training Prior to Placement
Health & Safety training is a requirement of all our partnership school boards. Each student is responsible for completing the training required of the school board(s) before each placement period begins (refer to the Our Partnership Boards page).
REGISTER FOR COURSES
Before you can start to register for courses, please ensure you have:
• Accepted your Offer of Admission
• Paid your Confirmation Deposit
• Submitted Final Official Transcripts and provided proof of degree
Once you have completed all of the above, you will be able to register for your courses. Registration opens in the Spring. You will be notified via your Lakehead email account.
Prior to registering for Education courses, please contact the Faculty of Education at the campus in which you plan to attend:
Thunder Bay Campus:
Ashley Stewardson
Phone: (807) 343-8010 ext. 8705
Email: teacher.education@lakeheadu.ca
Orillia Campus:
Julie Howell
Phone: (705) 330-4010 ext. 2013
Email: jhowell@lakeheadu.ca
The first day of classes for the 2025-2026 year is September 2, 2025
FIND HOUSING
7
PLAN FOR TUITION
It’s time to begin your financial planning, and thinking about paying for your tuition and fees*. Learn more about the scholarships, bursaries and awards available to you!
*Tuition fees for the upcoming school year are finalized in early June.
look
Lakehead University offers on-campus residence facilities at both the Thunder Bay Campus and at the University Avenue Campus in Orillia.
See page 6. For residence applications and further information, please visit: www.lakeheadu.ca/students/student-life/residence www.lakeheadu.ca/campus-life/residence-dining
or contact:
Residence Administration (both campuses)
Phone: (807) 343-8060 | Email: resaccnt@lakeheadu.ca
Off-campus housing options are also available in both Thunder Bay and Orillia. Visit: offcampus.lakeheadu.ca
