Global-teaching experience makes lasting impact on UT students

Sixteen university transfer (UT) students took their lessons plans to Mexico on an educational mission trip from April 28 – May 5.

They travelled to Ensenada for an once-in-a-lifetime teaching opportunity where they introduced local children to Canadian culture. They visited a Spanish-English immersion school, migrant camp, women’s shelter, rehab centre and other locations during their eight-day stay.

“I was very excited to be going on this trip. I wanted to experience teaching in a different country. My lesson was about Canadian hockey and I had the kids colour a jersey. I have a new appreciation for other culture since taking this trip,” says Kaelyn Dyck, university transfer student in the education stream.

Other lesson topics included Indigenous culture, vocabulary and famous Canadians, such as Terry Fox. Students spent six to eight months preparing for the trip. 

“This experience provided our students with a glimpse into teaching and how much work it takes to plan a lesson, especially when language and learning style barriers are introduced,” says Mark Cryderman, a UT instructor. “When they started teaching our students realized they didn’t have enough in their plan to fill an hour. They had to come up with something on the spot.”

The students had to work through the language barrier when they visited a migrant camp explains Tina Johnson, a UT instructor. “Communication becomes a challenge when trying to instruct young learners. Our students learned how to communicate without using words. It’s a great skill to have for when they have a classroom of their own, especially with immigrant families coming into Canada.”

This trip marks the ninth time Lakeland UT students have taken the lead and their studies beyond the classroom in Mexico. This year’s trip consisted of future teachers, social workers and nurses. Previous trips have impacted alumni over the years, including Jared Borzel and Darianne Duffield, who both returned to the country to pursue teaching careers.

Photos: Top — Lakeland university transfer students in Ensenada, Mexico for a educational mission trip. Middle and bottom — Lakeland students brought their own lesson plans to teach local children about Canadian culture. Some of the lessons included ice-hockey, Ukrainian dance and dream catchers.