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Association President's Message Research Chair in Canadian Studies The Transition to Parenthood Study
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Focus on Education Bonnie Patterson
A member of the Queen's-Trent program since 1981, Deborah Berrill is recognized throughout the region as a leading educator. Renowned for her boundless enthusiasm and expertise in teaching teachers, Deborah is a fixture both here at Trent and at Queen's, a favourite professor with a 20-year track record of success. Her personal research includes travel to the UK to compare changes in the Ontario and British school systems, a recent publication of a Penpal Program book, and a web site that assists students to create Personal Professional Portfolios. She also served for many years as Academic Director for the concurrent education program which tapped a tremendous administrative expertise. It is clear to me that Deborah's outstanding accomplishments spring from a deep connection with educational issues and an authentic concern for her students and those they will touch in their future careers. The Queen's-Trent Teacher Education Program has strong roots in Peterborough and its surrounding regions. A community effort from day one, the program injects tremendous volunteer power into local and regional school boards; 330 students contribute 50 hours annually in traditional classroom placements alone. Upper year concurrent students participate in the Penpal program, involving 250 children at six local schools, the Encouraging Young Readers program helping 30 children from six different schools, Trent's one-on-one Tutor Matching Program helping between 80 and 100 students in the community, and an after-school program coordinated by Trent University and Fleming College. Through alternative practicum, close to 100 Trent students can be found volunteering not just in our local schools, but at the ywca, Cavan Youth Services, our local Museums, Hutchison House, Trent Valley Literacy, and a variety of other non-profit organizations. It's difficult to imagine our community without these programs and the countless others powered by volunteers from the Queen's-Trent concurrent program. Trent also offers unique courses within a teaching emphasis program, among them Math 280 and Physics 209. These highly popular courses taught by Professors David Poole and John Earnshaw are geared specifically for elementary teacher candidates. Interdisciplinary opportunities like these combined with Trent's small and interactive learning environment make our students extraordinarily successful in the field of teaching; 28% of all Trent students go on to attain a Bachelor of Education, M.Ed. or Ed. D. In today's climate of scrutiny and restraint, educators everywhere can use a reminder that they are valued. With leaders like Deborah Berrill, and our Trent alumni who have pursued careers in education, the future of teaching certainly looks bright. We can be proud of our extraordinary Trent faculty dedicated to ensuring qualified subject specialists for our classrooms. Congratulations, Deborah, on
20 years of excellence in education. Imagine what you'll accomplish
in the next 20!   |
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I welcome
the focus on education brought to this issue of Trent Magazine
through a profile of Deborah Berrill and her career as an inspiring
professor in the Queen's-Trent Teacher Education program.