Stampede School Facilitators

The Calgary Stampede Foundation is committed to providing the youth of Alberta with the opportunity to develop strong roots in their culture and heritage through programs that enhance their personal growth, citizenship, and education. The Foundation supports a wide range of youth education programs in Calgary and Southern Alberta, including Stampede School. Stampede School is an immersive educational experience for students in grades 1 to 12 that relocates their classroom to Stampede Park. In their new setting, students and teachers experience deep and innovative learning and make connections to history, agriculture, Indigenous traditions and cultures, and western heritage and values. Each class’s week-long experience is customized to fit their particular curriculum and individual needs.

As Stampede School Facilitators, participating pre-service teachers will work with Foundation coordinators and facilitators to support weekly activities for groups attending Stampede School over an 8-week period. Participants will develop, plan, and lead activities for the group attending Stampede School in their final week, contributing to the overall program, and enhancing their ability to developing engaging, inquiry-based activities in authentic classroom settings.

Who?

Students taking their EDUC 400 or 500 courses and who know what strengths they bring to the classroom and how they might connect students' big questions to the Alberta Program of Study.

What?

Support Stampede School activities for 6-8 weeks, providing one-on-one support, leading small group activities, and leading larger activities with the school groups that attend the program each week.

When?

Individual dates and times will vary based on program schedules and participant availability

Where?

Stampede Park

Additional Information

Inquiry-based alternative classroom program
Age of Children/Youth: 6-18 Years Old
Program Locations:
- Stampede Park - 1410 Olympic Way SE, Calgary, AB T2G 2W1
- On-site locations will vary day-to-day based on the participating schools' interests
In their first week, participants will meet with the teachers whose students will be attending in the final two weeks, to better understand those groups' learning goals and to begin developing a series of activities to lead during their final week.
With support from Foundation teachers and staff, Werklund Service-Learning participants will develop inquiry activities that align with the goals of Stampede School and meet the needs of the attending students.
In their final two weeks, participants will attend as many segments as possible before leading their activities, so as to develop a strong rapport with the students and teachers in the classroom.

Requirements

Pre-service teachers need a current Police Information Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening (issued after July 1st of the academic year you are participating). 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.
In addition, participating pre-service teachers will require a Backcheck record check. Participants will receive more information about this online record check process once they have been matched to the opportunity.

Apply a variety of facilitation strategies to encourage discussion, generate ideas, and build consensus
Develop cross-cultural competencies related to language, culture, and place
Gain experience working with youth in a classroom setting
Lead or co-lead the component of at least one project within the program
Share and receive knowledge regarding teacher education and teaching practice

Werklund Dates and Times

FALL 2023 (Application is now closed.)

Werklund Fall 2023 Wrap-Up Session: Friday, December 8, 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm (Zoom)
Fall 2023 Placements End: mid-December

WINTER 2024

Winter 2024 application will open on November 20, 2024.
Werklund Winter 2024 Orientation: Monday, December 11, 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm (Zoom)
Winter 2024 Placements Start: early January (program dependent)
Werklund Winter 2024 Check-In Session: Monday, January 29 at
- 9:30 am - 10:30 am (in-person) or
- 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm (Zoom)
Werklund Winter 2024 Wrap-Up Session: Tuesday, March 12, 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm (Zoom)
Winter 2024 Placements End: mid-March (program dependent)

Stampede School Dates and Times

Program Dates:
- Fall: October to mid-December
- Winter: January to mid-March
Orientation: To be decided based on student and staff availability
Individual dates and times will vary based on program schedules and participant availability. For example, participants may support a consistent half-day each week, or may support different days to see different parts of the program.
Week 1:
- Stampede School Support / Site Orientation
- Meeting with Week 7 and 8 Teachers
Weeks 2-6:
- Stampede School Support
- Activity Planning Meetings
Week 7 & 8: Stampede School Session Leadership & Support

In total, pre-service teachers agree to commit to a minimum of 35-50 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.