Learning Buddies Network

Learning Buddies Network (LBN) is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping elementary school students develop essential literacy and math skills through free one-on-one, after-school mentoring in a fun group setting. LBN reaches children who otherwise would not have the help they need. The goals are to enhance self-esteem through improvement in academic skills and to ignite a passion for learning in a safe and caring environment.

Who?

All Bachelor of Education students

What?

Mentor a little buddy using prepared lessons and materials to support reading & math development.

When?

Sessions usually run on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday.

Where?

Online
In-person (BC only)

What's Involved

Pre-Service teachers should commit to

Participate in the orientation during the first week of the programs
Report to their Program Coordinator and Executive Coordinator
Prepare lesson materials provided by the organization for each session
Mentor their little buddy by using the lesson materials prepared
Track their little buddy’s progress
Attend mentor meetings
Complete mentor reports
Assist in volunteer recruitment

By volunteering with LBN, volunteers take on significant responsibilities and develop leadership, communication, and organization skills.

Requirements

Learning Buddies Network’s mandatory volunteer training must be completed.
Pre-service teachers need a current Police Information Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening (issued after May 1 of the current academic year). Students who do not already have a police check should begin this process online with their local Police station as soon as possible as police checks often take 4-6 weeks to process. Please see the Field Experience Police Information Requirement webpage for more information on how to request a PIC-VS.
Pre-Service Teachers must be located in Canada or Continental United States.

Apply a variety of mentorship strategies to support mentees’ personal, social, and academic goals
Gain experience working with youth in a small group setting
Model positive behaviour for children, youth, teachers, and parents

Program Dates:
- Fall: mid-October - mid-December
- Winter: February - mid-May*
Orientation Session: TBA
Training: Asynchronous
- Complete the math/reading and volunteer manual training sessions
Sessions run either:
- Monday and Wednesday from 4:00-4:45 pm or 5:35-6:20 pm
- Tuesday and Thursday from 4:00-4:45 pm or 5:35-6:20 pm

In total, pre-service teachers agree to commit to a minimum of 20-40 hours for their service-learning experience.

^{*Please note that placements for this program continue beyond the end of the Werklund Service-Learning program period.}

Fall Semester Timeline

Fall 2024 Applications Open: August 28, 2024
Werklund Information Sessions:
- Cancelled; please email wse.experiential@ucalgary.ca with any questions about the Service-Learning program or to arrange for a meeting.
Fall 2024 Applications Close: September 17, 2024 for smaller programs, larger placement applications are ongoing.
Fall 2024 Placements Start: early October (program dependent)
Fall 2024 Placements End: mid-December (program dependent)

Winter Semester Timeline

Winter 2025 Applications Open: November 15, 2024
Winter 2025 Information Session: November 26, 5:00 pm (Zoom)
Winter 2025 Applications Close: Ongoing, program-dependent
Winter 2025 Placements Start: early January (program dependent)
Winter 2025 Placements End: mid-March (program dependent)

Experiential Learning Check-In & Reflection Opportunities

All participants in Experiential Learning programs are welcome and encouraged to attend at least two of the check-in & reflection sessions below as part of their program. Reflection is an incredibly important part of experiential learning. It encourages students to consider their experience so far and to adjusted as needed as they go forward through the rest of their program, or into the next step of their career.