Professional Development

Resources for:

• B.Ed / MATL Students
• Kin / Phys Ed Students

Professional development refers to all the activities enhancing an individual's knowledge, abilities and expertise. ISA Career Services promotes professional development to Education and Kinesiology students by offering a multitude of activities each year. Here are some other ideas: 

B.Ed/MATL Students 

• Attend PEDTalk organized by EdUS or Education Career Services. List them on your teaching portfolio or CV!

• Get involved as a volunteer in a non-profit organization or a student group
• Register to MOOC (Massive Open Online Course). These courses are free and normally offered by universities:
  • Mental Health Literacy for the Classroom - Faculty of Education, University of British Columbia
  • Check out edX to look for courses of your interest
• Participate in networking events (ISA Career Services, CaPS, McGill Connect, etc.).
• Attend conferences : QPAT, EGSS (Education Graduate Student Society), SPEAQ Annual Convention, Salon de l'apprentissage, etc. 
• Discover resources such as LEARN Quebec and ELAN (English Language Arts Network). 
• Join LinkedIn groups and learn from experienced educators. 
• Register to complementary training : 
  • Commit to Kids - Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Training for those Working with Children (online) 
  • CPR First Aid 
• While still at university, consider becoming a member of professional associations and learn more about the field you are about to integrate the workforce: professional_associations.pdf

Kinesiology/Physical Education Students 

• Register to the Fédération des kinésiologues du Québec (FKQ) as a student member and learn more about the field. 

• Acquire new skills through volunteering:

  • Pour 3 Points: The Pour 3 Points Coaching Certification Program is the only program in the world for those who coach extracurricular sports in schools. The program aims to develop the skills that help coaches intervene with young people, particularly those who are at risk of dropping out of school, with the goal of educational and social development. 

  • Proset Autism: Proset Special Needs Sport offers an adapted sport activity to schools and community organizations, who like to excel their Special Needs students into physical activity and learn about a healthy lifestyle. 

  • H.E.L.P. Program: An innovative approach to improving hospital care for older patients at he Jewish General Hospital. Contact: ilamontagne [at] jgh.mcgill.ca 

  • Special Olympics Canada: Help them achieve their mission of providing year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.