“When you feel drawn to a possible opportunity - follow the pull you feel - even if that means the learning is not for you. There is still value in that experience.” 

This is the advice for incoming teaching candidates from second year Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) student Charlotte Mizzi . 

“This is an incredible chapter in your learning journey to discover the elements of yourself that you might not have seen before,” Mizzi adds. “My B.Ed. has been such a fulfilling experience in my life. It has allowed me to acknowledge strengths I didn’t realize I had, while also finding ways to build deeper connections with others who shared common passions and interests with me.” 

Natural progressions

Having previous experience as an early childhood educator and education assistant, Mizzi knew that the next logical step for her was to become a certified teacher. Not only did Trent embody the practices and pathways that Mizzi was looking for, the B.Ed. program also offered opportunities to widen her lens when thinking about teaching practice, social justice, inclusion and environmental stewardship.  

During Mizzi’s two years in the program, she was part of multiple committees that included working with school board and community partners, faculty awards, certificate programs such as the eco-mentorship and learning garden, and well-being sessions that supported her peers.  

“I also participated in the Learning from the Land and Indigenous Peoples microcredential through Trent, funded in part by the Government of Canada’s Innovative Work-Integrated Learning Initiative (CEWIL), which allowed me and other Trent students, the opportunity to learn from Indigenous community members and knowledge keepers in Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory on Manitoulin Island.” 

“I feel all these engaging opportunities allowed me the chance to explore the value of hands-on experiential learning, and I believe it has given me a more holistic perspective on what it means to be an educator and a lifelong learner. Participating in these Trent community experiences has given me the opportunity to view myself as not only as a teacher, but has also shone the light on how I can be a meaningful and contributing member of my community.”