TORONTO, August 22, 2002 -- York University's Faculty of Education will officially launch its Regent Park Community Education Program on Wednesday, August 28.
The program, intended to give York's teacher candidates a better sense of the rewards and challenges of teaching in inner-city communities, will be housed at the newly renovated Regent Park Community Centre.
"Educating the next generation of teachers about inner-city schools and communities helps to foster a greater appreciation of the untapped educational abilities and strengths of inner-city youth," says Jeffrey Kugler, one of the course directors and principal from Nelson Mandela Park Public School on secondment. "York University's Regent Park teacher education site is a truly community-based partnership. It is uniquely situated in a community centre and local residents' input is actively encouraged."
Adds Paul Axelrod, dean of York's Faculty of Education, "York has a longstanding commitment to providing opportunities for teacher candidates and practicing teachers to improve their skills in an urban education setting." Axelrod points to the Westview partnership (now in its 10th year) between the Faculty of Education and the Westview family of schools in the Jane-Finch community as an example.
The education program is among four community initiatives being celebrated in Regent Park. The others are:
the reopening of the Regent Park Community Centre following major renovations
the start of the second year of the Regent Park Community Health Centre's Pathways to Education Program which supports students' transition from grade 8 to grade 9 and through secondary school with tutors, mentors and financial help
the launch of the School-Community Action Alliance (SCAARP), Regent Park's community-wide initiative on dealing with barriers to learning
Music, performances, drumming and dancing will be part of the celebrations which will take place 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. (official ceremony at 3 p.m.) at the Regent Park Community Centre, located at 203 Sackville Green (south of Dundas St. E. and east of Parliament St.).
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For further information, please contact:
| Jeffrey Kugler | Anderson Coward | Ken Turriff |
| Faculty of Education | Faculty of Education | Media Relations |
| York University | York University | York University |
| 416-242-5909 | 416-736-2100, ext. 58024 | 416-736-2100, ext. 22086 |
| jkugler@edu.yorku.ca | acoward@edu.yorku.ca | kturriff@yorku.ca |
YU/069/02
