A seamless transition for Nazeem

Raadiyah Nazeem is picking up where she left off.

She graduated from Early Childhood at the University of Guelph-Humber last spring. Now she's studying for her Masters of Arts/Bachelor of Education at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education in downtown Toronto.

According to the 22-year-old, who's wrapping up her first semester at OISE, part of the University of Toronto, the transition has been seamless.

“When I went to OISE, I knew I’d be continuing the theory and practice I learned at Guelph-Humber,” said Nazeem.

Her third and fourth-year placements through the University of Guelph-Humber were formative experiences, readying her for graduate work, said Nazeem.

She worked with the director of the Humber Child Care Centre in her third year and Peel Region's Early Learning Services Department in her fourth. During both placements, Nazeem learned practical teaching skills, but also developed an interest in studying teacher training and assessment.

“It’s important to understand the policies that govern what you do,” she said.

The student is furthering – refining – her research on training and assessment at OISE.

She’s also just completed a practicum at Montcrest School, an independent and co-educational school for students from junior kindergarten to Grade 8. She spent four mornings a week teaching a Grade 2 class of students with special needs at the school located in Toronto’s Riverdale neighbourhood.

“You really get to know the students,” said Nazeem.

As part of her studies at OISE, she’s pursuing her designation to teach students with special needs.

Before graduating from the University of Guelph-Humber, Nazeem received the Michael Nightingale Community Enrichment Award. She found her place here and that, said Nazeem, has helped her fit in at OISE, where class sizes are also predominantly small.

“I’ve gone from one small community to another.”

Find out more about the Early Childhood program at University of Guelph-Humber.

Get in touch with Career & Placement Services for advice on applying to graduate programs.

Sean Flinn, Web Communications Specialist, 416-798-1331, ext. 6299, sean.flinn@guelphhumber.ca