EDUC 450: Diversity in Learning Placements Overview

Service-Learning for Diversity Placements Overview

The Service-Learning for Diversity program is an optional offering within the EDUC 450: Diversity in Learning course in the winter semester of our BEd program. Tied in with the regular course work, students undertake a weekly service-learning community placement at an agency partner. Led and collaboratively designed by our community partners, this program offers Education students the chance to gain first-hand experience working with children and youth from a variety of diverse backgrounds.

While all Education students must take EDUC 450 before they graduate, the Service-Learning for Diversity program is an optional extension to enhance your experience in the course. Students who are accepted into this program will be moved into one of the EDUC 450 service-learning sections. These sections happen on the same day/time as other on-campus EDUC 450 sections. Students must be willing to be swapped into the appropriate sections in order to participate. Details about this year's service-learning sections are available the registration guide.

 

We're proud to be working with a wide range of community and campus partners as part of the program. Since 2016, our partner organizations have provided over 1,700 placements for Werklund students.

What's Involved

Work with children and youth...

Participating students will have the chance to work in community agency placements in programs that serve LGBTQ youth, First Nations, Inuit, and Métis children and youth, children and youth with disabilities, and children and youth from immigrant and refugee backgrounds.

Fit to your schedule...

Placements are around 3 hours a week for the entire duration of the course. Most community placements take place Monday through Friday, between 3:00 and 6:00pm; however, the program offers some daytime, weekend, and evening options as well.

Make connections...

Students in the Service-Learning sections of EDUC 450 will integrate their service placements with their course content, connecting critical concepts with situations they experience in the real world.

Service-Learning for Diversity Timeline

This timeline is for students who are interested in applying to be a part of the Service-Learning for Diversity cohort. Students will apply the September they take EDUC 450 in the Winter semester.

Apply

September

Applications for participating in the Service-Learning for Diversity section of EDUC 450 open at the end of September.

Matching

October

After you rank your preferred placements in the application, we'll match you with one of your choices.

Getting Started

November 

Orientation is a chance for you to learn more about the expectations for your placement. Once you have been matched, you'll meet with your community partner and take care of any paperwork specific to your placement.

Placements

January to March 

Your placements will run alongside your EDUC 450 course in the Winter semester, and finish in time for you to begin Field 2 in mid-March.

Current Opportunities

These are the opportunities available for the 2022-2023 year. Please use the red "Learn More" buttons to see more information about each opportunity.

children work on ipads around a desk

Calgary Neighbourhood Services

This opportunity may be available during the Winter semester.

We are currently updating the Werklund-specific details for this program opportunity but for now, you can see the basic overview of the AfterSchool program here:

https://www.calgary.ca/social-services/youth/afterschool.html

Calgary Immigrant Women's Association (CIWA)

Girls Culture Club establishes an opportunity for immigrant girls to share and discuss similar experiences they have encountered as a youth in a new environment. The goal is for the girls to understand that they are not alone and that a support network exists for them.

This opportunity is available during the Winter Semester. 

Calgary Police Services - YouthLink

YouthLink Calgary is an independent charitable organization that operates in partnership with the Calgary Police Service to deliver relevant and meaningful content to Calgary youth and adults.

This opportunity is available during the Winter semester.

Ismaili Council for the Prairies

PACE is designed to be three times a week Tutorial Program that focuses on numeracy and literacy support for students in Grades 1-12. Coaching will be tasks with building foundational skills and by occasionally supporting with homework help.

This opportunity is available during the Winter semester.

Renfrew Educational Services

A not-for-profit society and registered charity, Renfrew offers a broad range of specialized programs and is an acknowledged leader in program development for children with special needs.  Highly trained teams of professional staff continually search for the most effective teaching and learning methods. Individualized learning strategies are developed to help each child grow to his or her potential.

This opportunity is available during the Winter semester. 

The Immigrant Education Society (TIES)

The Childminding program provides care to children whose parents are participating in settlement services within the organization. This program helps to ensure the well-being of children who are new to Canada and supports newcomer families in their integration into Canadian life.

This opportunity is available during the Winter semester


Opportunities On Hold

We are working with our partners to provide as many opportunities as possible. Please keep checking back to see any updates.

Between Friends - Children and Youth Programs Facilitator

Between Friends

This opportunity may be available in the Winter semester.

Calgary Bridge Foundation for Youth - After School Program Facilitator and Mentorship Program Facilitator

Calgary Bridge Foundation for Youth

This opportunity may be available during the Winter semester.

Calgary Catholic School District (CCSD) - St. John Reception Centre Program Assistant

Calgary Catholic School District

This opportunity may be available in the Winter semester.

Calgary Youth Justice Society - In the Lead Program Facilitator

Calgary Youth Justice Society (CYJS)

This opportunity may be available during the Winter semester.

Centre for Sexuality

Centre for Sexuality

This opportunity may be available during the Winter semester.

Collaborating with others ... to better understand and resolve challenges facing the communities we are all a part of.

Gemmel and Clayton, 2009

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