Education News | Page 19

NEW DIRECTOR FOR LE BAC

Dr . Laurie Carlson Berg , Director , le Bac program .

While the home of the Baccalauréat en éducation ( le Bac ) is the Faculty of Education , the program spaces are uniquely located in the Language Institute Building . Since 2010 , the program has flourished under the direction of Dr . Lace Brodgen , who has now moved on to be the founding Dean of Laurentian University ' s Faculty of Education . The following is an interview with the new Bac program Director , Dr . Laurie Carlson Berg .

Please provide a short description of le Bac program .

Le Bac ( pronounced like back as in “ Give yourself a pat on the back ”) is the Baccalauréat en éducation française . There is a variety of different programs students can choose to pursue within Le Bac , as we prepare students to teach at the elementary or secondary level in both Francophone and French Immersion schools as well as in Core French classrooms . Students can either begin the 4-year program after completing their high school studies or do an after degree ( BEAD ) program . It is important to note that le Bac is not a Frenchlanguage version of programs offered in English by the Faculty of Education . Our program has an important focus on what it means to be a teacher of one of Canada ’ s official languages in a minority context , be it Core French , French Immersion , or Francophone .

Why is it important to offer the Bac program ?

There are a number of reasons , but two that come immediately to mind are linguistic diversity and responding to community needs . First , there is a significant need , not only in Saskatchewan but also in other provinces that actively recruit our students , for more French-speaking teachers . Le Bac provides a welcoming environment for high school students from Core French , French Immersion , and Francophone schools , including Fransaskois schools , to enhance their proficiency in French and to learn how to inspire their future students to learn about French language and the multiple Francophone cultures in the world . In the second year of the 4-year program , students spend 10 months at the Université Laval in Québec City . There , they are fully immersed in a Francophone majority context . We are also building ties with the Wandake First Nation in Québec City so that indigenization can be more fully integrated into each year of le Bac .

In terms of linguistic diversity , Canada is a bilingual nation and having le Bac in the Faculty of Education is part of acknowledging the linguistic plurality in Saskatchewan schools . In my view , having a French presence within the Faculty of Education fosters a greater understanding of , and provides a space for dialoguing about , linguistic and cultural diversity here on the Prairies .

What is your vision as the new Directrice du Bac ?

I have three principal priorities as I take on this new role with gratitude namely continuing to focus on indigenizing our program , maintaining and building upon our solid reputation , and continuing our efforts to recruit more students .

Le Bac was the first program to make the Indigenous Education course mandatory . We appreciate the relationships we are building with elders , and how each member of our team has taken on responsibility for indigenizing courses and our annual Bac student professional development event .

Having been part of le Bac team for 17 years , I appreciate the solid reputation le Bac and our faculty have in the community . I strive to

lead my energetic team and students to continue to collaborate with our multiple partners throughout the province . As budgets permit , our team endeavours to increasingly model how technology can enhance teaching and learning .

This year , we have the largest enrolment ever and are offering two sections of the first year Educational Foundations course . My goal is to continue to increase the Bac cohort . So far , our only challenge at this level has been finding large enough classrooms .

Any final comments for now ?

A warm welcome to new faculty members Heather and Joël and a big shout out to all members of le Bac team for the many ways , big and small , they inspire our students and serve our community with heart !

Below Left : ESS Executive wearing orange .

Orange

Shirt Day

Above Left : Le Bac faculty and staff wearing orange on September 30 , to honour and remember those who attended residential schools .

# OrangeShirtDay . Above Right : Joël Thibeault and Jesse Bazzul in . orange .

Bottom : Staff and Administration attending a Postiive Space Workshop by UR Pride . # OrangeShirtDay

Education News | Page 19

Above : Sessional

Katia Hildebrand , Dean

Jennifer Tupper , and Alumnus Raquel Bellefleur wearing orange at the Glen Anaqod Tipi Raising Competition