The Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières (UQTR) has launched a pioneering master’s program aimed at assisting non-legally qualified teachers in Lanaudière. This initiative enables educators to continue their full-time teaching jobs while also receiving paid time off for training within their workplace. It focuses on enhancing staff retention across schools and may inspire similar projects throughout Quebec.
About the New Master’s Program
Simon Chatelain is among the inaugural cohort of 25 students who began this qualifying master’s program in teaching last September. The program is offered in collaboration with the Affluents and Samares school service centers. Spanning approximately two and a half years, the program consists of 45 credits and ultimately leads to permanent teaching certification.
Addressing Teacher Job Security
Prior to enrolling, Chatelain, an experienced secondary school teacher, contemplated abandoning his teaching career due to the instability associated with his non-legally qualified status. He highlighted the difficulties of frequently starting over in new schools and the reluctance to undertake additional part-time studies that could jeopardize his financial stability.
Thanks to information from his employer, the CSS des Affluents, Chatelain opted for this new master’s program. Most of his classes take place at his school during working hours, thanks to paid leave provided by his employer. Chatelain attests that this arrangement significantly alleviates the challenges of balancing work and education.
Real-World Impact on Teaching
Associating faculty from UQTR with local schools enhances the relevance of the training, as instructors become aware of current issues within the education system. Patrick Capolupo, the general director of CSS des Affluents, noted that this approach directly addresses the challenges posed by the increasing number of students with special needs or from immigrant backgrounds.
- Conversational training improves understanding of contemporary educational challenges.
- Increases the likelihood of retaining teachers in the profession.
Future Expansion Plans
Given the success of the master’s initiative, UQTR plans to expand its reach by introducing a similar qualifying pathway for the bachelor’s degree in secondary education. This new offering would target teachers without certification who still seek training within their educational environments.
UQTR’s rector, Christian Blanchette, expressed optimism about this pilot program’s future, noting the potential for its expansion into other regions of Quebec as long as government funding is secured. The current initiative has already received financial backing exceeding half a million dollars from the Ministry of Higher Education.
Blaquette emphasized the essential nature of these projects in qualifying many teachers currently active in classrooms. With adequate funding, UQTR aims to launch another cohort of students next fall.
