Amid the success of the teacher education program at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Ontario, the first Head of the new School in the Canadian province has recently taken up his position.

 

Associate Professor Will Letts has been appointed as the inaugural Head of the CSU Ontario School of Education.

 

CSU established a new School in recognition of the quality of the programs and graduates between 2005 and 2008, and of the importance of the University’s work in the province.

 

Previously the Sub Dean for Learning and Teaching in the CSU Faculty of Education and a senior lecturer in the University’s School of Teacher Education in Bathurst, Australia, Associate Professor Letts settled into Burlington in Ontario in late August.

 

He was accompanied by five other Australians including Campus Manager Ms Manor Cooper, lecturers Mr Graham Daniel, Dr Christine Edwards Groves, Ms Zeffie Nicholas and Dr Doreen Rorrison. These staff joined with 12 Canadian staff to form a truly International school for teacher education.

 

Associate Professor Letts has published in the areas of gender, sexuality and indigenous and rural issues in education.

 

“It’s a very exciting time for Charles Sturt University with the establishment of its first overseas School,” said Associate Professor Letts.

 

“Equally exciting is the sense of purpose and dedication we are displaying in the province of Ontario to our work in teacher education. This move affirms the University’s commitment to the strategy of internationalisation,” he said.

The Bachelor of Primary Education Studies offered through the CSU Ontario School of Education is a one year teacher education program that prepares teachers for primary and junior [K-6] classrooms in Ontario.

This program is offered under the written consent of the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities for the period from 24th December 2004 to 24th December 2009.  Prospective students are responsible for satisfying themselves that the program and the degree will be appropriate to their needs (e.g., acceptable to potential employers, professional licensing bodies or other educational institutions).