CONSEIL SCOLAIRE PUBLIC DU NORD-EST DE L'ONTARIO
Learning for better support for secondary school students

While students in the Conseil scolaire public du Nord-Est (CSPNE) enjoyed a day off on January 26 or February 2, 2024, high school teachers took full advantage of a busy pedagogical day.

As part of the programming organized for teachers, they had the chance to discuss innovation in a changing world.  They were given an overview of possible post-secondary paths, the skills required on the job market, innovative pedagogical perspectives, as well as the discovery of exciting and lesser-known trades through workshops and an on-site visit to a local company.  

Themes included exploring post-secondary pathways, a universal approach to educational flexibility in high school, and a visit to the high school's partner industry.

According to Pierre Girouard, Director of Student Success and Accountability, in charge of the event, this is a great opportunity for teachers to explore how they can guide students towards fulfilling educational choices by considering skilled trades and seeing apprenticeship.  "The reflections fostered during the workshops enable teachers to identify teaching strategies that can be applied to their students.  "The reflections maintained during the workshops enable teachers to identify teaching strategies used to meet the needs and interests of students who may choose one or other of the possible post-secondary pathways."

Experiential learning is made possible, among other things, by partnerships with local businesses.  In fact, during the industrial visit, participants will have the opportunity to : 

• experience authentic experiential learning; 
• discover how a local company operates;
• discover new trades;
• interact with employees to learn more about the skills and qualifications needed on the job market;
• acquire new pedagogical ideas by observing the application of skills and knowledge in a professional environment; and
• exchange ideas and best practices with employees, strengthening the links between the worlds of education and business. 

This participative concept of professional development during pedagogical days is a first at CSPNE. 

We would like to highlight the participation of our community partners, who agreed to host the high school teams.

• Columbia Forest Products in Hearst
• Green First Forest Products in Kapuskasing
• The Bucket Shop in Timmins
• OWC Metalworks in Sturgeon Falls
• Redpath Mining in North Bay
• Stanley Boats in Parry Sound

 This initiative is in line with the CSPNE's strategic plan, which focuses on the academic success and personal development of each student.