The Learning is Alive at UTS
The learning is alive at UTS, not only amongst students but thriving throughout our school community. Last week, UTS welcomed 32 keen first-year master of teaching candidates on the verge of their teaching careers from the Ontario Institute of Studies in Education (OISE). As they begin their first forays into the classroom, they join a longstanding UTS tradition of teacher training and leadership in educational research that is fundamental to who we are.
This school year’s cohort of master of teaching candidates.
Since its founding in 1910, UTS has been more than a school. It has been a cornerstone of teacher development and educational innovation. From the very beginning, teachers in training from the University of Toronto have come to UTS to learn what it means to be an exceptional educator. This tradition is not just part of our history; it is central to our identity and mission. Established by the University of Toronto to advance teacher training and educational research, UTS continues to embody this commitment 115 years later, shaping both outstanding students and the next generation of educators.
The learning flows both ways with the OISE master of teaching candidates, who come once a week on Thursdays during the first year of their program from September to February. The candidates learn from the exceptional expertise of our teachers, and provide extra support in the classroom. Some of them will return in March and April for an extended practicum placement at UTS, teaching classes in partnership with and guided by UTS teaching staff. Their presence strengthens our connection with OISE, bringing the latest best practices in education and exciting new energy and ideas into classrooms at our school. It enhances the learning of our students who are challenged in new and different ways.
One of the greatest advantages of our University of Toronto affiliation is access to unparalleled expertise. Not only does this partnership enrich teacher training which is a founding pillar of UTS, but it also connects our students and faculty with world-class leaders in their fields. Last year, for example, UTS hosted a community panel on artificial intelligence featuring Dr. Susan McCahan, University of Toronto Associate Vice-President and Vice-Provost for Digital Strategies, and Dr. Steven Katz, Associate Professor at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education. This conversation deepened our leadership in AI integration at the secondary level and laid the groundwork for ongoing dialogue this year.
Beyond events, our classrooms regularly welcome visiting scholars and experts from the University, while initiatives like our graduate student internship program with the Department of Computer Science bring cutting-edge AI research directly into our school. Together, these partnerships expand UTS’s capacity for innovation, preparing our students and our teachers for the future.
Another affiliation benefit is the opportunity to contribute to and support ongoing U of T and OISE research in the fields of education and the experiences of young people, through our in-house research institute, the Eureka! Research Institute at UTS. Our partnership allows teachers and staff to take on active roles as partners in research through co-designed studies. This enables staff to apply their considerable knowledge in the process and help ensures research is attuned to needs of the classrooms and students.
For students, taking part in a study can provide an opportunity to experience the research process firsthand, furthering their understanding and potentially inspiring them to a career in research. Findings from research supported by UTS have been published in peer-reviewed journals and scholarly books, and presented at leading research conferences, furthering our knowledge of best practices in education and the experience of young people.
Learning at UTS is not confined to our students—it is the heartbeat of our entire community. The growth of our students, the professional development of our staff, the training of Master of Teaching candidates, and the research that advances the field of education all build upon one another. Each dimension of learning enriches the others, creating a powerful cycle of shared growth. This collective commitment to continuous learning is what makes a UTS education truly exceptional.
