Inclusive Post-Secondary Education (IPSE) Curriculum Specialists

Inclusive Post-Secondary Education (IPSE) provides an opportunity for adults with disabilities to realize an authentic university experience, from both an academic and a social perspective, over a 4-5 year period. We currently support students at the University of Calgary and St. Mary's University. Students audit classes within their chosen academic themes, while our Educational Facilitators modify the related curriculum in order to provide personalized, life-applicable learning. Throughout this process, our Educational Facilitators also liaise with professors and assist students in accessing every aspect of university life. We embrace a flexible, collaborative, dynamic, diverse working environment. We strive to be pioneers in the field of inclusive post-secondary education.

As Curriculum Modification Specialists, participating pre-service teachers will work with IPSE's Educational Facilitators to modify university curriculum based on course content and individual student needs. Participants will contribute to a more authentic, inclusive campus and enhance students' overall university experience.

Who?

Students entering their EDUC 400s or EDUC 500s

What?

One-to-one curriculum support program to Young Adults (17+)

When?

Fall: October to December, 2 hours per week

Winter: January to March, 2 hours per week

Where?

In-person on the University of Calgary main campus or St. Mary's University campus

What's involved

Participants will also attend a 2-hour orientation session in November, followed by a training session mid November (during Fall Reading Week). The orientation and training sessions will introduce participants to IPSE's philosophy and values, as well as a schedule and structure for creating course modifications and facilitating coursework sessions.
Pre-service teachers will participate in 3 weeks of shadowing with a current Facilitator and student. This is an opportunity to learn about the student, the student-Facilitator dynamic, and ask questions.
To match with a Facilitator, students need to be available in-person for periods of time Monday to Friday, between 9:00 am - 4:00 pm. We are accepting Werklund students to work with Facilitators at both IPSE partner campuses - University of Calgary & St. Mary’s University. It would be beneficial for us to know in advance the student’s preference in terms of location.
Pre-service teachers will be paired with a current IPSE student for the duration of their placement, and work with IPSE staff and the student to identify how best to meet the students' individualized learning needs.
Participants will plan and modify curriculum according to students' individual learning needs and individual course content. Participants will also facilitate coursework lessons for their partner student on an ongoing basis. Content of lessons will be determined in collaboration with the student and the Educational Facilitator they work with.
Participants will also collaborate with their Facilitator to determine the amount of modifications necessary for individual students, based on the student's needs, participant's ability, and the needs of the individual course.

Requirements

Pre-service teachers need a current Police Information Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening (issued after July 1 of this academic year). Students who do not already have a police check should begin this process at their local police station as soon as possible, as police checks often take 4-6 weeks to process.
Participants will be required to sign an Oath of Confidentiality during their training session with IPSE.
After applying, participants will participate in a brief interview with the IPSE team to determine best fit for both pre-service teacher and the IPSE program.

Apply a variety of facilitation strategies to encourage discussion, generate ideas, and build consensus

Design and implement a variety of activities that meet students’ interests and learning needs

Evaluate successes and setbacks as part of ongoing professional development

Examine a variety of approaches to teaching and learning in non-traditional educational settings

Examine how programming fosters inclusion and personal growth

Werklund Dates and Times

Fall 2023 application is now closed.
Winter 2024 application will open on November 20, 2024.

Werklund Orientation:

Thursday, September 14, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm (in-person, EDT 450) or
Thursday, September 14, 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm (Zoom)

Fall Placements Start: early October (program dependent)

Werklund Check-In Session #1:

Thursday, October 26, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm (in-person) or
Thursday, October 26, 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm (Zoom)

Werklund Wrap-Up Session: Friday, December 9, 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm (Zoom)

Fall Placements End: mid-December (program dependent)

IPSE Dates

IPSE Interview: TBD
IPSE Orientation & Training: TBD between the volunteer and facilitator
Shadowing: TBD
Planning and Facilitation: 2 hours/week of Facilitation, plus planning time, from December to March
Specific dates and times will be set based on student/program schedules
To match with a Facilitator, students need to be available in-person for periods of time Monday to Friday, between 9:00 am - 4:00 pm. We are accepting Werklund students to work with Facilitators at both IPSE partner campuses - University of Calgary & St. Mary’s University. It would be beneficial for us to know in advance the student’s preference in terms of location.

In total, pre-service teachers agree to commit to a minimum of 30-40 hours for their service-learning experience

Throughout the semester, pre-service teachers will curate their volunteering experiences using a creative medium (e.g., photos, art, storyboarding, videos, etc.) that best reflects their experiences in the program. Your creative reflections will form part of a public showcase of Werklund student experiences later in the year.
Pre-service teachers will participate in 2 group meetings: one at the mid-point and another at the end of their placement (1 hour each). These group meetings provide pre-service teachers with opportunities to reflect on the community placement experience and to guide improvements for the program.

Fall 2023 applications are now closed.

Winter 2024 Applications will open on November 20, 2024.

Ready to apply?

1. Log on to Elevate

2. Go to Werklund School of Education > My Werklund Experiences

3. Click on Courses/Programs

4. Find the Service-Learning program and click Apply

5. Complete the Service-Learning Application on Step 1

You can download an application guide here.

Apply on Elevate!

I liked the overall structure of the program - how it started as shadowing (because I personally learn best from observing others), and then allowed us to dive in and take over.

IPSE Participant

The other facilitators through IPSE were open to my ideas and suggestions, so I was able to do things the way I wanted to in terms of my teaching/facilitation. It also gave valuable experience in making inclusion plans and course modifications for neurodiverse learners.