Through our work with Bachelor of Indigenous Education students, we have found that it is very valuable to make sure students had practicum experiences in both school systems as part of their degree. Sometimes students are reluctant to go to a system they have no experience with. All students in this program, both First Nations and non-First Nations students alike, have at least one practicum at a First Nation administered federally funded school, and another at a public provincially funded school. There are five practicum placements plus an internship in the program. We have found that students are much more likely to seek employment in a school system they were previously less familiar with after their practicum experiences. Additionally, the schools appreciated having these students in their classrooms because the education students are good role models to all of the K-12 students. It gives the schools an opportunity to get to know potential future hires and build a relationship with them a couple of years before they would be looking for employment.
Organization: Parkland College (now Suncrest College)