Donors
Educating the minds and hearts of children prepares them to become responsible global citizens and stewards of the world.
Your support helps us create inclusive learning environments for prospective teachers, and for practitioners to deepen their knowledge of teaching and learning while advancing their credentials.
Alumni
The Okanagan School of Education’s story begins with our alumni.
We appreciate that as a member of our extended Education family, you have chosen to become part of a network that will keep you informed and connected to activities, educational opportunities, and updates about your former colleagues.
Alumni Stories
Excerpt from Make a Future
Kara Ross walks the halls of W.L. Seaton Secondary in Vernon, B.C., with a quiet sense of purpose.
It’s the same school she attended as a teenager – but this time, she’s at the front of the classroom.
Ross, a Syilx educator from the Okanagan Nation and a teacher in the Vernon School District, is doing something she never got to experience as a student here: teaching the Okanagan Nsyilxcn Language at the secondary level. And that, she says, is everything.
“I’m teaching what I wish I had in high school. Our kids deserve to keep learning their language. It’s their right.”
Green rounds the bustling room to fill water bowls and check in with handlers. Sessions will have around 15 dogs of various breeds and sizes soaking up love in the form of belly rubs and behind-the-ear scratches from attendees, while B.A.R.K. handlers trained in the art of conversation will chat with the students.
“Our handlers understand that they aren’t there to fix students’ problems, but rather offer a listening ear and redirect students to services on campus if necessary,” explains Green. “The rounds offer a chance to ensure that the handlers are equipped with what they need to succeed, including more information about a conversation topic.”
An experienced teacher and founder of Mathematizing 24/7, Jacobs’s approach to teaching math goes beyond numbers—it’s about building relationships, encouraging critical thinking, and empowering students to see the relevance of math in their everyday lives.
“Many students have a negative relationship with math,” says Jacobs. “I didn’t have a positive relationship with math when I was in school, and in the first role I had where I had to teach math, I was nervous. But then the nerves turned to curiosity, and I wanted to find out how do educators teach math? How can we make it fun and engaging for kids? I didn’t want the kids in my class to be as afraid of math as I was.”
Staying Connected
At UBC, we are committed to maintaining lifelong, mutually beneficial relationships with our alumni. Acknowledging both the work we did together as well as your new endeavors creates a strong bond that not only honours the past but also provides exciting new opportunities for the future.
Contact UBC Alumni Relations
If you are interested in getting to know the alumni in this region, getting involved, or just want more information about what UBC has to offer you today, please contact: