Mission Statement

Your Learning Is Our Passion. We mentor educators to thrive as caring and engaged innovators in diverse communities.

Vision Statement

Through its undergraduate and graduate programs and community-engaged scholarship, the Faculty of Education strives to provide an inclusive, student-centred learning environment that empowers exceptional teachers, researchers, and community leaders. Our focus is on personal, innovative, and authentic education in partnership with the communities we serve.

Background

Beginning as a liberal arts college, Brandon College was founded in 1899. Training for high school teachers was added in 1952 and then expanded to include training for elementary teachers in 1955. Brandon University was established in 1967 and the Education Building was erected the same year. The Bachelor of Teaching program was added in 1969 and the first graduates of the program received their degrees in 1971.

The Faculty of Education has a tradition of commitment to serving rural, northern and Indigenous students. It provides a range of degree programs at the undergraduate level: the Bachelor of Education After Degree (BEdAD), the Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Education (BA/BEd), the Bachelor of Music/Bachelor of Education (BMus/BEd), and the Bachelor of Physical Education Studies (BPES). In addition, affordable and accessible graduate programs (Graduate Diploma and Master of Education – MEd) are available in educational administration, curriculum and pedagogy, special education, and counselling. The Faculty of Education also includes the Centre for Applied Research in Indigenous, Rural, and Remote Settings (CARES) and the Program for the Education of
Native Teachers (PENT).

The Faculty of Education Academic Planning Process

Education faculty members met on a regular basis throughout the 2014-2015 academic year to establish priorities for the future. We identified actions and indicators of success. We plan to review our achievements each year and, in consultation with internal and external stakeholders, to revisit and revise the plan annually.

Overview of Forward Direction

The six themes identified in the Faculty of Education parallel the themes identified in the Brandon University Academic Plan.

A. Distinguish Brandon University’s Faculty of Education as a leading, student-centred Faculty of choice for students.

Brandon University’s Faculty of Education is uniquely placed to respond nimbly to the individual learning needs of increasingly diverse populations. Small in size, its challenge lies in developing a reputation that is both responsive to individual student needs and rooted in an ethic of care. Ongoing responses to this intent are to evaluate and revise all major aspects of the Faculty’s program delivery: the 2-year Bachelor of Education After Degree (BEdAD), the 5-year integrated Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Education (BA/BEd), the 5-year concurrent Bachelor of Music/Bachelor of Education (BMus/BEd), the 3-year Bachelor of Physical Education Studies (BPES), the 30-hour Graduate Diploma, and the 36-hour and 54-hour Master of Education (MEd). It is anticipated such changes will lead to increased enrolment and enhanced student engagement and satisfaction, measurable by exit surveys.

B. Establish and promote the Faculty of Education as a Faculty engaged in innovative research, scholarly, and creative activity.

The Faculty of Education is at the cusp of significant change in its research agenda. With many new faculty members recently hired to tenure-track positions, the Faculty is positioned to make significant contributions to scholarship at the national and international levels. Support for such scholarship is therefore necessary. Aligned with overall Brandon University policies on research, the Faculty of Education will support and recognize scholarship, enhance the Graduate Studies program, and encourage open intellectual exchanges among faculty members and throughout the University as a whole. Such changes are expected to lead to increases in faculty members’ national and international scholarship and presentations, in graduate student research and conference presentations at local, regional and national conferences, in community outreach projects, and in faculty members’ refereed publications.

C. Conduct community engagement and service activities.

Community engagement has historically been one of the cornerstones of Brandon University. The Faculty of Education is  committed to increasing learning partnerships with First Nations and new Canadian populations, and ties with local communities, that will ensure growth as defined by the communities and in scholarship. Such actions should result in increased numbers of First Nations, Metis, and new Canadian students. It should also lead to increased community engagement with both business and not-for-profit partners.

D. Promote diversity and inclusive educational opportunities.

Brandon University’s long-term connection with its rural surroundings has shaped its past; new and diverse populations of students are shaping its future. The Faculty is also committed to creating a safe space of learning for diverse populations, to promoting diversity education, and to documenting ways in which diverse learning needs are to be accommodated. Such actions are expected to lead to an increased enrolment of students from diverse backgrounds, increased success overall in the working lives of teacher candidates, and increased retention of these students.

E. Foster academic program excellence, renewal, and development.

The Faculty undertakes to create multi-year academic curriculum and enrolment plans for each program in Education, and to prioritize advance academic planning. To this end, departments and programs will review current course offerings and propose new ones, review enrolment strategies, and create and review exit and later surveys of students. Learning aims and outcomes will be linked to core courses in each program. Evidence of the implementation of these ideas is likely to be found in a movement toward the streamlining of programs and in student satisfaction. Responses of students, as measured by exit surveys, may serve to corroborate the findings.

F. Foster sustainable growth in academic programs and services.

The Faculty recognizes that academic and institutional success is predicated on the overall well- being of students, staff, and faculty. To this end, the Faculty undertakes to promote a collegial and open learning environment that will foster innovative initiatives in teaching, with forward planning for curricula to meet anticipated future needs. To this end, the Faculty will provide mentoring for all new faculty members, design opportunities for sharing exemplary teaching practices, and create multi-year models for curricular review and student and faculty recruitment. Evidence of the success of these initiatives might be found in an increase in the sharing of teaching theory and practice among faculty members, peer workshops, and the creation of curriculum review and faculty recruitment plans.

Faculty of Education Academic Plan, Actions, and Indicators

A. Distinguish Brandon University’s Faculty of Education as a leading, student-centred Faculty of choice for students.

Priority A – Items

i. Support excellence in student experience and academic success.

Indicators of Success

• Increased enrolment in all Education programs
• Increased retention rate in the integrated BA/BEd
• CUSC (student satisfaction and experience)
• NSSE (student engagement) exit surveys of graduating students

Promote our “brand” of education at BU

Actions	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019
Strengthen numeracy and literacy skills for all pre-service teachers.	x	x	x	x	x
Promote an up-to-date and relevant instructional strategy focused on 21st century skills.	x	x	x	x	x
Strengthen equity-based pedagogy skills for all pre-service teachers.	x	x	x	x	x
Evaluate and revise the integrated BEdAD program to ensure that it meets the needs of pre-service teachers and to streamline courses.	x	x	x	x	x
Evaluate and revise the integrated BA/BEd program; work with the Faculty of Arts.	x	x	x	x	x
Review and revise the BPES program, including exploring a 4-year program; explore Coaching Education and Recreation and Personal Trainer as possible streams. Explore offering a coaching certificate.
Collaborate with the Joint Department of Music Education (JDME) to enhance program delivery for concurrent BMus/BEd students.
Evaluate and revise the PENT program; work with the Faculty of Arts and Faculty of Science.
Review the Faculty of Education website.
Respond to the 2015 Graduate Studies Review.

Ensure that admission is a seamless process

Actions	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019
Review the admissions policy and process to ensure that students are informed in a timely manner.	x	x	x	x	x
Review the transfer credit policy.	x	x	x	x	x
Review the residency policy.	x	x	x	x	x

Increase program accessibility

Actions	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019
Build distance delivery options.	x	x	x	x	x

Use data to inform decisions

Actions	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019
Collate and present enrolment and graduation data to Education faculty each semester.	x	x	x	x	x

Reinforce student support

Actions	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019
Strengthen the relationship with Student Services, including a role for the Faculty of Education to support new students	x	x	x	x	x
Support the student wellness plan.	x	x	x	x	x

ii. Strengthen liberal arts and science programs through academic curriculum review and renewal

Actions	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019
Evaluate, revise, and rename the PENT program.	x	x	x	x	x
Collaborate with the Faculty of Arts and the Faculty of Science.

iii. Establish clear requirements for degree completion in all degree programs

Actions	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019
These are in place for the BEdAD, BA/BEd, BPES, Graduate Diploma, and MEd programs.	x	x	x	x	x
Establish clear requirements for degree completion in the PENT program.

iv. Enhance the balance in academic programming (liberal arts/professional).

Actions	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019
Increase collaboration with other Programs/Faculties.	x	x	x	x	x

v. Promote experiential, co-op, and service learning opportunities.

Actions	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019
Review the BEd field experience program and Graduate Studies practicum placements.	x	x
Increase professional development (PD) workshop offerings for pre and in-service teachers — number of workshops	x	x	x	x	x
Increase professional development (PD) workshop offerings for pre and in-service teachers — number of particpants	x	x	x	x	x

vi. Increase the number of academic articulation and institutional partnership arrangements.

Actions	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019
Build partnerships with domestic and international post-secondary institutes and communities.	x	x	x	x	x
Explore partnerships for a doctoral program.		x	x	x	x

vii. Report University institutional data at the Program, Department, and Faculty/School levels.

Actions	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019
Use Tableau data to guide our program and class offerings.	x	x	x	x	x

B. Establish and promote the Faculty of Education as a Faculty engaged in innovative research, scholarly, and creative activity.

i. Implement Brandon University’s Research Strategy Plan and establish Faculty/School research goals and priorities.

Actions	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019
Align the Faculty of Education’s research goals with BU’s Research Strategy Plan.	x	x	x	x	x

ii. Through CARES, strengthen institutional support and recognition for research, scholarly, creative, and innovative activities.

Actions	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019
Update faculty research profiles online.
Create a display of faculty research areas and achievements — number of national and international research presentations by Education faculty	x	x	x	x	x
Create a display of faculty research areas and achievements — number of creative activities by Education faculty at BU and in premier venues	x	x	x	x	x
Create a display of faculty research areas and achievements — number of peer-reviewed publications by Education faculty	x	x	x	x	x
Support undergraduate and graduate research initiatives — number research presentations by Education students at internal and external events	x	x	x	x	x
Offer workshops and skills development for students and faculty, regarding the grant application process — number of workshops	x	x	x	x	x

iii. Review and implement the recommendations of the Graduate Studies Review.

Actions	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019
Explore a collaborative doctoral degree in administration and leadership.				x	x
Update the Graduate Studies Plan to streamline our current graduate programs.	x	x	x	x	x
Develop certificate programs — number of certificate programs		x	x	x	x
Design a laddering system for our certificate, diploma, and degree programs — number of graduate student enrolments, certificate and degree completion	x	x	x	x	x

iv. Establish partnerships and institutional networks to celebrate and leverage the expertise of faculty, students, and staff.

Actions	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019
Collaborate within the Faculty of Education, with other BU Faculties, and other universities on TriCouncil grant applications.	x	x	x	x	x
Create a Faculty of Education research Hub to make research a user-friendly commodity that focuses on community- engaged scholarship.	x	x	x	x	x
Work with the field (i.e., schools and school districts) to establish multi-dimensional communication and research partnerships.

v. Promote open and frank discussion on knowledge exchange and transfer, research and its application, and public policy and action.

Actions	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019
Internal: Research facilitator(s) will host monthly research dissemination meetings.	x	x	x	x	x
External: Invite the public to attend research presentations.	x	x	x	x	x
Publicize research activities.

vi. Provide continued support for access to scholarly information.

Actions	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019
Strengthen the role of our research facilitator(s).	x	x	x	x	x
Plan monthly research activities.
Support access to professional organizations.

C. Conduct community engagement and service activities.

Priority C – Items

i. Partner with First Nations, Métis, and Inuit (FNMI) communities and organizations to enhance the accessibility of post- secondary educational opportunities, student experience, and academic success.

Actions	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019
Promote connections with communities by means of outreach activities.	x	x	x	x	x
Continue to dialogue with Community Education Officers regarding their educational needs, and redefine the PENT program to make graduates more marketable to the broader community.	x	x	x	x	x
Plan an outreach program in Indigenous education.	x	x	x	x	x

ii. Reach out to the “new Canadian” population to recognize prior learning and provide access to further education.

Actions	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019
Enhance our work with the general community and with Westman Immigrant Services.	x	x	x	x	x
Provide purposeful support for our international students.
Continue to develop certificate programs in English as an additional language (EAL).

iii. Distinguish Brandon University as a catalyst and partner in community development and growth at the local, regional, national, and international levels.

Actions	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019
Reach out to local organizations.	x	x	x	x	x

iv. Develop a Faculty of Education plan for community engagement.

Actions	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019
Include annual or semi-annual events and celebrations	x	x	x	x	x

v. Enhance the brand and reputation of the Faculty of Education.

Actions	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019
Promote current Faculty of Education research.	x	x	x	x	x

vi. Enhance alumni outreach to increase engagement.

Actions	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019
Conduct annual or semi-annual events and celebrations.	x	x	x	x	x
Promote alumni achievements.
Invite alumni to present keynote addresses, attend PD opportunities, make “invited expert” appearances in our undergraduate and graduate classes, act as graduate student mentors, and prepare research impact bulletins.

vii. Develop an Education Outreach Program to promote adult post- secondary education.

Actions	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019
Explore possibilities with Arts and Science of to expand the PENT model for summer classes, in cooperation with the Faculty of Arts and Faculty of Science — number of programs	x	x	x	x	x
Explore possibilities with Arts and Science of to expand the PENT model for summer classes, in cooperation with the Faculty of Arts and Faculty of Science — number of adult learners	x	x	x	x	x

viii. Support open access archives to disseminate Faculty of Education research/artistic activities across the wider community.

Actions	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019
Collaborate with the library.	x	x	x	x	x

D. Promote diversity and inclusive educational opportunities.

Priority D – Items

i. Develop diversity and inclusive education plans that reflect the Mission and Value Statements of BU and the Faculty of Education.

Actions	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019
Work with BU’s Centre for Teaching, Learning, and Technology (CTLT) and Diversity and Equity Committee — number of outreach activities to diverse communities	x	x	x	x	x
Work with BU’s Centre for Teaching, Learning, and Technology (CTLT) and Diversity and Equity Committee — number of diverse students and faculty	x	x	x	x	x

ii. Clearly articulate how our academic programs and service reflect and promote principles of diversity and inclusive education.

Actions	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019
Infuse our curriculum with equity, cultural diversity, and EAL perspectives.	x	x	x	x	x

iii. Promote initiatives that embrace diversity and inclusion, involve engaged citizenship and leaders, and address international and global issues.

Actions	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019
Provide PD and international opportunities for students and faculty — number of faculty who teach, study, and conduct research outside Canada	x	x	x	x	x
Provide PD and international opportunities for students and faculty — number of students who teach, study, and conduct research outside Canada	x	x	x	x	x

iv. Focus on the values of diversity and inclusion.

Actions	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019
Faculty will engage in outreach activities that involve diverse communities — number of FNMI, minority, and international students who are recruited and retained	x	x	x	x	x
Provide PD and international opportunities for students and faculty — number of minority and diverse faculty who are hired into our Faculty	x	x	x	x	x

v. Create and develop a positive, safe space across the university.

Actions	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019
Provide leadership in diversity training — number of faculty who receive Positive Space training	x	x	x	x	x
Improve signage in our building.
Make our building feel welcoming.

vi. Promote open debate, civil dialogue, and global citizenship.

Actions	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019
Faculty and staff will model exemplary practices to each other and to our students.	x	x	x	x	x

E. Foster academic program excellence, renewal, and development.

Priority E – Items

i. Establish multi-year academic curriculum plans for each program in Education.

Actions	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019
Review learning and skill outcomes for each Education program.	x	x	x	x	x
Map learning and skill outcomes to specific core courses in each program area, to ensure that all skills and outcomes are integrated within the program area.	x	x	x	x	x
Review course offerings to ensure that all core courses are relevant to the knowledge and skills required for program graduates.	x	x	x	x	x
Review all elective courses for relevance and for student uptake.
Include outcomes on each course syllabus.	x	x	x	x	x

ii. Establish multi-year enrolment plans for each program in Education.

Actions	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019
Establish a marketing and enrolment committee.	x	x	x	x	x
Review historical data on enrolment in Education programs at BU, provincially, and across Canada. Identify trends.	x	x	x	x	x
Set realistic targets for enrolment over the next 5 years in each program, for both Canadian and international students.	x	x	x	x	x

iii. Prioritize and advance academic programming.

Actions	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019
Faculty of Education Departments will – review course offerings to ensure that all core courses are relevant to the knowledge and skills required for program graduates — number of credit hours/program area	x	x	x	x	x
Faculty of Education Departments will – review course offerings to ensure that all core courses are relevant to the knowledge and skills required for program graduates — Class size data	x	x	x	x	x
Faculty of Education Departments will – review course offerings to ensure that all core courses are relevant to the knowledge and skills required for program graduates — Enrolment rates	x	x	x	x	x
Review undergraduate and graduate calendars to delete courses that are no longer offered	x	x	x	x	x
Review all elective classes for relevance and for student uptake	x	x	x	x	x
Include outcomes on each course syllabus — Outcomes on each syllabus	x	x	x	x	x

iii. Produce timely, effective, and responsive academic curriculum and program development.

Actions	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019
Conduct surveys of all graduates one year after graduation, regarding program relevance to the field.	x	x	x	x	x
Maintain regular contact with school- based personnel to gain feedback on skills and knowledge of program graduates.	x	x	x	x	x

iv. Report on the enrolment, retention, degree completion, and student experience associated with Faculty of Education academic programs.

/table needed/

F. Foster sustainable growth in academic programs and services.

Priority F – Items

i. Promote a collegial and open teaching, learning, and working environment for students, faculty, and staff.

Actions	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019
Mentor all new faculty members	x	x	x	x	x
Recognize excellence in teaching.	x	x	x	x	x

ii. Promote initiatives in teaching and learning excellence, and academic program development and renewal.

Actions	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019
Provide opportunities for sharing exemplary teaching practices.	x	x	x	x	x
Encourage opportunities for peer observation.	x	x	x	x	x
Establish an academic plan working committee to review achievements annually.	x	x	x	x	x