BEd assists community- Transitions December 2001

BEd assists community

D. Gallant, E. Church, B. Kenny Education students Dave Gallant, Eric Church and Brigette Kenny prepare a meal at the Fredericton Community Kitchen.

Members of the Education department’s “Teaching Exceptional Learners” class assisted the Fredericton community on November 21. To complement their studies, which deal with marginalized individuals, a group cooked and served an evening’s dinner at the Fredericton Community Kitchen for between 100-150 people.

As part of the Exceptional Learners curricula, each student must invest 10 hours into community service each semester. In the past, for example, students have tutored adults and children of low literate levels, assisted the John Howard Society, and aided youth service programs. This is the first year for participation at the Fredericton Community Kitchen. “These activities develop a greater sense of empathy in our students and help them understand people who are marginalized by society,” explains Heather Richmond, who teaches the Exceptional Learners course.

BEd student Eric Church says, “As an individual who will be working with people from different social structures, it’s important for me to recognize and understand what’s going on outside the classroom.”

Members of the class had their first experience at the Community Kitchen in October, spending an evening serving food and cleaning up. “Being students, we can’t really give money, so we’re giving a helping hand,” adds BEd student Brigette Kenny.