Back to School | September 2025
| In this newsletter... - Join us at Homecoming
- Explore our Curriculum Collection at the UBCO Library
- Bachelor of Education Information Session
- Virtual Therapy Dogs Prove to Reduce Stress
- Dean's Distringuished Lecture
- Madeline Korfman Award receipient, Karen Honey
- Rob Johnson inducted into the CCAA Hall of Fame
- Opening Doors through Literacy, alumnus feature with Kristi Cooper
| Homecoming | September 19 & 20 Celebrate the UBC Okanagan community with a weekend full of activities! Root for the UBCO Heat in their thrilling soccer match on Sept. 19. Indulge in beverages, bites, and great conversations with fellow alumni and UBC Okanagan’s principal and deputy vice-chancellor on Sept. 20, plus: - Principal’s Homecoming BBQ: 11:30am–1:00pm (featuring musical performances by UBCO students)
- Wine tasting from the alumni UBC Wine Club, sponsored by Spearhead Winery: 11:30am–2:00pm
- Indigenous Flora Walking Tour led by Dr. Robert Campbell: 1 to 2 p.m.
- Celebrate the AMP Lab turning 10 years old with cupcakes, refreshments, a slideshow, and more: 3 to 4:30 p.m.
- Experience the excitement of Engineering Design Teams in action: 1 to 3 p.m.
- And more!
Learn more | Explore thousands of children’s books in the Curriculum Collection Did you know that UBCO Library* has thousands of children's and young adult books in our Curriculum Collection? You can browse the Education-focused collection on the second floor of the library to find fiction and non-fiction books to enhance your lessons for any grade level. Check out the Curriculum Collection Guide for top picks in a variety of themes like Syilx Resources, French Language, LGBTQ+, Bullying, and more! Each of these themes is broken down by grade level to help you find the best books for your purposes. If you have ideas for themes you'd like added to the guide or need help finding the perfect resource, reach out to the Education Librarian, Talia Greene, at talia.greene@ubc.ca. *Available to current students and alumni. A complimentary Okanagan Community Borrower Card is available for practicing mentor teachers, please email us at education.ubco@ubc.ca. | Bachelor of Education Information Session Join us for an information session to learn more about UBCO’s 16-month Bachelor of Education (BEd) program. This session is designed to provide you with insights into the admissions requirements, application process, program highlights and more! The session will be comprised of a brief presentation and an opportunity to ask questions. Thursday, October 9, 2025
3:30 p.m. to 4:15 p.m.
Online via Zoom Register Can’t make the session? Reach out to us at education.ubco@ubc.ca if you have any program questions! | Virtual Therapy Dogs Proven to Reduce Stress A new study led by UBC Okanagan’s Dr. John-Tyler Binfet and Brock University’s Dr. Christine Tardif-Williams reveals that watching a short, pre-recorded video of a therapy dog can reduce stress—mirroring the benefits of in-person interactions. More than 1,000 students and community members participated, with results showing the approach is an effective, low-cost, and accessible mental health resource. Published in Human-Animal Interactions, the findings highlight how virtual canine comfort modules can expand support to those in remote locations or hesitant to seek traditional services. Read the full story | Dean’s Distinguished Lecture: Transforming Education through Indigenous Knowledges, Stories and Songs Join Dr. Jan Hare, Dean, Faculty of Education, for a virtual event featuring Dr. Leanne Betasamosake Simpson, acclaimed Michi Saagiig Nishnaabeg artist, scholar, and thought leader. Dr. Simpson's work interweaves story, song, and activism with Indigenous ways of knowing, drawing on traditional knowledges to envision a collective future. This event will highlight the transformative power of art and education in deepening our connections to culture, community, and the land. Thursday, October 2, 2025
4:30 to 6 p.m. PDT
Virtual livestream Register | Madeline Korfman Scholarship recipient, Karen Honey This scholarship is awarded to teacher candidates who significantly demonstrate a “love for teaching” based on the recommendation of Okanagan School of Education faculty. “Receiving the award was personally affirming because I always knew that I loved learning,” she says. “It was confirmation that my learning, my efforts, everything I’ve put into this, has not gone unnoticed. It made me feel proud of myself.” Congratulations Karen! Read more | | Rob Johnson, CCAA Hall of Fame The Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) has honoured Rob Johnson with induction into its Hall of Fame, recognizing his decades of leadership, advocacy, and service to collegiate sport in Canada. A respected figure in athletics, Johnson played a pivotal role in strengthening the CCAA’s financial and governance practices during his four terms as Vice-President of Finance (1996–2000) and in fostering collaboration across conferences. Known for his precision, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to student-athletes, his legacy continues to shape the association today. Read more | | Opening Doors through Literacy For Kristi Cooper, a love of teaching started long before she entered a classroom as an educator. With both parents as teachers, she grew up surrounded by lesson plans and marking—but literacy wasn’t always easy for her. Once a reluctant reader herself, Kristi has turned that experience into a strength, shaping her passion for supporting students and teachers alike. Today, Kristi is a literacy leader, mentor, and author of Making Time for It All, a practical guide to help teachers integrate literacy practices without becoming overwhelmed. Read more | | Okanagan School of Education
Okanagan Campus
Syilx Okanagan Nation Territory
EME 3115 - 1137 Alumni Ave
Kelowna, BC Canada V1V 1V7 education.ok.ubc.ca | You are receiving this e-newsletter because you’ve subscribed to this email from Okanagan School of Education. © Copyright The University of British Columbia | | | | | |
.jpg?1757094544677)
