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Perfect Internship for a Teacher in Training
Kingston, Ontario, September 7, 2010 — During her internship with the Kingston Sustainability Centre, Katie McKenzie had the amazing chance to gain more than experience. Thanks to the Youth Eco Internship Program, she is getting closer to her dream of being a primary school teacher.
Through the YMCA and YWCA Grant for Youth Internships, the Kingston Sustainability Centre delivers a platform for collaboration between the City of Kingston, local education institutions, private business, not-for-profit organizations and volunteers. Visitors can learn and understand solutions to become more sustainable in their daily activities and choices.
Hoping to teach at the local school board, her internship gave her the opportunity to put her teaching skills to use in developing and implementing curriculum-based education programs focusing on sustainability. She created programs and events centered on the message of change as well as attractions for people to come into the centre and engage with the displays and information that are provided.
Katie also had the opportunity to lead and host three Bachelor of Education students for a three-week alternative placement. The four of them formed an efficient team that came up with powerful, interactive displays to use as learning tools.
“Katie understands the process of education and the effect it has on changing behaviours”, said Randy J. Cuff, Director of the Centre. “Her personal life choices about being sustainable arm her with a desire to pass along this thinking to her classes as she seeks full-time work in the educational sector.”
“I feel I can confidently implement sustainability education into a daily classroom program, whether it be recycling systems, vermicomposting, or engaging and encouraging children to take sustainable steps at school and at home,” stated Katie. “The knowledge and connections I have made in the community are what will help me the most when I finish my internship.”
The Youth Eco Internship Program places unemployed youth across Canada, aged 15 to 30, into paid internship opportunities within the non-profit and community services sector in Canada with a focus on the environment, community and women's services. The program is available to non-graduates, high school graduates and post-secondary graduates. These positions, offered in a wide range of organizations, will help young Canadians learn the skills required to gain and sustain future employment within the sector.