Concurrent Education Grad Shares Knowledge with New Students
For recent Queen’s-Trent Concurrent Education graduate, Mike Heffernan, being invited to return to Trent to give a special guest lecture to a group of first year students was a great opportunity.
As a guest lecturer, Mr. Heffernan shared tales of both his academic experiences and his life after graduation. It was especially meaningful for Mr. Heffernan to present to this class in particular because his own brother, Tyler, is following in his big brother’s footprints and is currently a student in the Queen’s-Trent program.
“Being a part of Queen’s-Trent Concurrent Education was definitely a great experience,” Mr. Heffernan recalled. “It really helps prepare you, especially the placements. You learn what it means to be a great teacher.”
Mr. Heffernan, graduated from Trent with a degree in History in 2005, before completing his Bachelor of Education at Queen’s in Kingston, Ontario. Currently, he teaches geography, history and computers at Archbishop Denis O’Connor Catholic High School in Ajax, Ontario. He is one of only three former Queen’s-Trent students who was hired to work in the same school where they did a placement.
In his lecture to the first-year students, Mr. Heffernan discussed everything from his excited, yet anxious, feelings about teaching on the first day of school, to how teachers are paid, and even offering input and advice on the importance of having your teaching portfolio ready and looking professional.
The full lecture hall was captivated, with students looking more and more excited to get into the field of teaching. “Queen’s-Trent Concurrent Education has definitely evolved with the times. I learned that if teaching is what you want to do, put your whole heart into it because it will give back to you,” he said.
The professors were equally excited about Mr. Heffernan’s return to campus. “Mike is such an enthusiastic person, who has a passion for teaching. I am so happy he was able to come back to speak to students about how fantastic the teaching profession is,” said Sharon Carew, co-ordinator of the Queen’s-Trent Concurrent Education program. “He proves that if you are enthusiastic, passionate and well prepared, you will be a successful educator.”
For more information about the Queen’s-Trent Concurrent Education program visit the website or call 705-748-1011 ext. 7464.
Photo caption: Mike Heffernan (left) poses with Sharon Carew from the Queen’s-Trent Concurrent Education program and Tyler Heffernan, his brother.