Blue Pages - Professionally Speaking

Who evaluates teacher education programs?

by Gabrielle Barkany

The teacher-education programs proposed by Laurentian University in Sudbury, Trent University in Peterborough and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology in Oshawa were reviewed, recommended and approved this spring and are now up and running for future Ontario teachers.

Michael Manley-Casimir

The College's accreditation panels spend several weeks examining applications made by faculties that want to offer teacher education programs in Ontario. Panel members take part in an extensive training session before evaluating these proposed programs. After reviewing all documents submitted by the faculty, panel members visit the campus. The panel then develops its report and forwards its recommendation to the Accreditation Committee of the College.

The accreditation panels are made up of a minimum of six members - including one person nominated by the applicant-university, three from the Ontario College of Teachers Council, one College member-at-large and one chosen from a roster of persons with particular experience in teacher-education. Those who have recently participated in this process from our roster of experts have brought a wide range of experience to the process.

Michael Manley-Casimir participated on the panel reviewing the application of Trent University. Manley-Casimir is dean of Brock University's Faculty of Education. He came to Ontario from Simon Fraser University, where he had served as a professor of education for over 20 years.

Manley-Casimir began his career as a classroom teacher in Kelowna, and within three years became principal of Ashcroft Secondary School. He has also served as a staff associate at the University of Chicago, where he received his doctorate degree. Manley-Casimir has written several articles on educational policy and practice, focusing on issues related to education law. His supervision of numerous graduate students at both the masters and doctorate levels was recognized in 1994 by an excellence in teaching award.

Victoria Dale Northcott

Victoria Dale Northcott was a key member of the panel reviewing this year's application from Laurentian University. A PhD candidate at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education and a professor at York University's Faculty of Education, Northcott has also served as a religion/family life and curriculum consultant for the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board in Barrie.

Northcott taught professional development courses for the Ontario English Catholic Teachers' Association. She has written several articles on spirituality and is also a guest speaker at religious education courses. She began her career as a classroom teacher.

Daniel Michael Mason brought his considerable experience to the process of reviewing the University of Ontario Institute of Technology application.

Daniel Michael Mason

Mason was the superintendent of education programs and services for the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board, where he had previously served as the superintendent of school services and staff development.

As an adjunct professor of McGill University's Faculty of Education, Mason was responsible for developing and implementing the first principals' development program with the Department of Education of the Free State of South Africa.

He also served as principal of staff development and principal of education services for the Carleton Board of Education and began his career as an English and drama teacher at Gloucester High School.

Mason holds a doctorate in English literature, and a Masters in Educational Administration.

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