The first Canadian students from Charles Sturt University (CSU), Ontario to do their practicum teaching experience in Australia have started work at North Wagga Public School.  The three Canadians are among the first group of Bachelor of Educational Studies (Primary Teaching) students at CSU, Ontario which began in August 2005 with 114 students. The one-year postgraduate teacher education program which operates between CSU in Australia and school boards in Ontario, prepares candidates to teach in Ontario elementary or primary schools. Juanita Germaine, 34, of Barrie, Ontario; Deb Gross, 24, of Hamilton, Ontario and Kristin Larion, 23, from Paris, Ontario will spend three weeks teaching kindergarten and year 2/3 students at North Wagga Public School. All three said the opportunity of practice teaching in Australia as well as CSU’s reputation in teacher education were factors which attracted them to the CSU program. Four other CSU Ontario students are doing their practicum teaching in Dubbo at the same time.  Professor Tom Lowrie, head of CSU’s School of Education, said the Australian practicum experience was an exciting component of CSU’s Ontario program which he hoped would be expanded. Read more here.