Inspiring Future Caregivers through the Living Classroom

Among many teachings Ron Schlegel offered his three sons as they grew to eventually lead the organization he founded, he taught them to trust in the power of partnerships, but also to be sure to choose any partner in life wisely. Schlegel Villages president and CEO Jamie Schlegel shared this insight as he spoke at the opening of the new Living Classroom satellite training campus at The Village of Tansley Woods in Burlington, developed alongside Hamilton’s Mohawk College.
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By Kristian Partington
Reprinted from Schlegel Villages News

Among many teachings Ron Schlegel offered his three sons as they grew to eventually lead the organization he founded, he taught them to trust in the power of partnerships, but also to be sure to choose any partner in life wisely.

Schlegel Villages president and CEO Jamie Schlegel shared this insight as he spoke at the opening of the new Living Classroom satellite training campus at The Village of Tansley Woods in Burlington, developed alongside Hamilton’s Mohawk College.

“My dad has always reminded me and encouraged me to choose your partners in life carefully and make sure that those partners are aligned from a values standpoint,” Jamie said. “I can say without hesitation that we found such a wonderful partner in Mohawk College, that is aligned with our values and aligned with our objective and vision for doing the training of healthcare workers in a different and innovative way.”

Group photo of people celebrating the opening of the new Living Classroom
Representatives from Schlegel Villages, Mohawk College and The Village of Tansley Woods marked the opening of a new Living Classroom training campus within the Village.
PSW student Kim Hulme stands at a podium with Schlegel Villages VP of People Christy Parsonsium.
PSW student Kim Hulme (right) stands with Schlegel Villages VP of People Christy Parsons and shares her views on the opportunities the Living Classroom offers future students like her.

The development of engaged teams that are driven by the concept of relationship-centred care is one the most important priorities at Schlegel Villages, which is why it invests in the training of new caregivers through its in-house Living Classrooms. This new campus, located within Tansley Woods, is the fourth of these innovative classrooms Schlegel Villages has developed.

This model, Jamie explains, “allows students to learn right in the environment they’re ultimately going to work in and the neat part about this arrangement is it allows the residents and our existing team members to be part of the learning journey, and it creates such a rich and deep and relevant learning experience.”

The feedback from students who have graduated from previous Living Classroom cohorts over the years at Wentworth Heights, University Gates or Riverside Glen consistently point out the superiority of the immersive experience that this model offers future caregivers.

Kim Hulme is a Personal Care Aide working in the retirement neighbourhoods at Tansley Woods, and she is also training through Mohawk College to be a Personal Support Worker. She says her clinical placement next door in the Long-term Care neighbourhoods has been invaluable, and she believes the Living Classroom model will only enhance the experience for future students.

“The people that I’m working with are wonderful,” Kim says. “Everyone works as a team; I learn something new every day and I’m very well honoured to be part of this team.

“What a great opportunity and it’s just wonderful that the Living Classroom is here in Burlington.”

As Mohawk College’s Chief Operating Officer Paul Armstrong reflected on the partnership, which began with the college’s first Living Classroom at The Village of Wentworth Heights in 2019, he also spoke of shared values. “In any relationship, there’s just something in your gut that tells you it feels right,” he said. “Everything I’ve seen and every opportunity I’ve had to engage with (Schlegel leaders), it is really clear where your values and principles and priorities lie and it’s in the same place where they lie for me personally and where they lie for us as Mohawk College.”

The first students will begin their training in the fall of 2023 and will have every opportunity to work within Schlegel Villages once their education is complete.

Free tuition for PSW program offered at Marianhill in Pembroke

A long-term care home in Pembroke is offering a tuition free PSW program. Linda Tracey, the CEO at Marianhill Long-Term Care and Community Services, says they are offering a five month accelerated program to train personal support workers (PSW)…. Continue reading

Reprinted from Pembroke Today

A long-term care home in Pembroke is offering a tuition free PSW program. Linda Tracey, the CEO at Marianhill Long-Term Care and Community Services, says they are offering a five month accelerated program to train personal support workers (PSW).

Tracey says PSW professionals are in high demand and adds they are excited to be partnering with the Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario to offer the tuition free program.

Tracey says the accelerated PSW program will typically run Monday to Friday between 8:30am and 3:00pm with some variation during clinical placements. Applications must be submitted by January 13th, 2023 and Tracey says they have 25 to 30 spots available.

PSW Program Coordinators are available to support you throughout the registration process by answering any questions you may have about the program, application process and funding opportunities.

In addition to free tuition, graduates of the PSW program who commit to working at Marianhill are eligible to receive $2,000 after two months and $5,000 after six months of employment. Marianhill is also providing earn-as-you-learn employment opportunities and those interested are asked to submit a resume with a list of positions available online here.

Tracey says Marianhill is undergoing a multi-million dollar redevelopment project that will see the long-term care home grow from 131 to 160 beds.

Students, Community Partner Laud Board’s PSW Program

The first class of personal support worker (PSW) students is about halfway through Near North District School Board’s (NNDSB) unique program, which re-engages learners while assisting to close the gap in employment needs in the healthcare sector. The program sees students learn in living classrooms – they learn theory and often within hours are on the floor putting into practice what they’ve just learned…. Continue reading

By Kelly Hart. Reprinted from Muskoka411.com.

PHOTO: Arianna Poullas and Jillian Hewitt are two of the PSW students in the inaugural program running at Cassellholme.

The first class of personal support worker (PSW) students is about halfway through Near North District School Board’s (NNDSB) unique program, which re-engages learners while assisting to close the gap in employment needs in the healthcare sector. The program sees students learn in living classrooms – they learn theory and often within hours are on the floor putting into practice what they’ve just learned.

The program is running in Parry Sound and North Bay, with community partners Belvedere House and Cassellholme, which are providing the classroom space and mentorship of the PSW students.

The in-class sessions will wrap up June 30, then students will have to fulfil placement hours in both long-term care and community care settings.

In North Bay, instructor Nancy Corbett is no stranger to Cassellholme. She’s been a registered practical nurse (RPN) there for 25 years and has worked as a preceptor for practical nursing students.

She loves teaching in the living classroom, where students start to learn slowly with portering and feeding residents before they learn about hygiene and other aspects of care. Corbett says when students get to shadow PSWs, they learn by seeing others do the work, then get to try it themselves. She says living classrooms “are the way to teach. It’s the way to go,” because of the shortened timeframe between learning and doing.

The hands-on learning is what appealed to Arianna Poullas. The North Bay resident studied for a year at college but didn’t enjoy learning in a classroom from a textbook. The PSW program appealed to her because after theoretical learning, there is application of the knowledge.

“I like being able to do things with my hands,” says Poullas. “It makes things make sense to me.”

She says the small class size helps the group all feel like family, and says it’s been like that since the first day. The students are supportive of each other, and Poullas says this is the best program she’s ever been involved in. She says learning by reading “just doesn’t stick in my head”; she likes being out on the floor and is happy to not be learning solely by books.

PSW student Jillian Hewitt is also a part-time employee and single mom who enjoys the flexibility of the program.

She enjoys observing and learning from the PSWs, as she finds every person does things a little differently. Watching the others lets her find the best way for her to do the job.

Hewitt says the program is well-organized and the way it’s been taught has made the content “easy to absorb.” She feels supported by Corbett, her peers and staff at Cassellholme, and is confident in the skills she will have when she graduates after her placement hours.

Poullas loves working with Cassellholme’s residents and is hoping for a job in long-term care. She’s already been hired in the home’s Helping Hands program; Cassellholme Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jamie Lowery says it’s like a pre-PSW job position in which staff assist the PSWs.

Poullas is one of seven of the PSW students who have been hired as Helping Hands at Cassellholme. Lowery says the work that was done in vetting candidates has created a class of students who have “an inherent desire to be a PSW.” He says staff is “blown away” by the quality of students and of the course being taught.

NNDSB’s intake process is credited with successful inaugural classes.

Lisa Spencer, who facilitates specialist high skills majors and experiential learning for NNDSB says, “Our intake process consisted of an initial literacy assessment and interview where our team had the opportunity to meet and support each student individually. As a continuing education program, not all our students came to us with their high school diploma so really understanding the pathway for our students helped us to support the initiation process. We can see that our intake process is supportive, and we are very proud of all our students. They can earn their high school diploma while participating in a state of the art post-secondary program.”

Corbett says the interview process gleaned candidates who were best suited to the work of a PSW and who displayed the commitment needed to complete the course. Lowery says he was impressed with NNDSB and its flexibility in designing the program. Teaching learners to deal with difficult people is a skill that the PSW students can use in many aspects of life, not just at work.

He adds that for some, working as a PSW may be only the first step in a healthcare career. Cassellholme has a training budget for its staff which can help people meet their career goals.

There are plans to run the PSW program in September in West Nipissing and Mattawa, too. People interested in taking the PSW course can visit this page for more information. It contains links to an information session, information about the literacy assessment, and a fillable form to register interest in the program. Spaces are limited so potential students are urged to register as soon as possible.

NNDSB Expands PSW Opportunity in Living Classroom Program to Belvedere Heights, Lakeland Long-Term Care in Parry Sound

Near North District School Board (NNDSB) is excited to announce the expansion of the Personal Support Worker (PSW) training opportunity and a promising partnership in the Parry Sound region. The partnership with Belvedere Heights and Lakeland Long-Term Care are welcome news in an area where PSWs are in high demand.

NNDSB will provide PSW training on site at Belvedere Heights and Lakeland Long-Term Care in a living classroom environment. Participants in the program will do their theoretical learning in a classroom at Belvedere Heights, then be able to apply those skills on the floor of both long-term care homes, without having to wait for theory work to end before experiencing placement.

NNDSB hopes to help fill a growing demand for trained PSWs across the Near North region and to provide people 18 years of age and older with an exciting career path. NNDSB will work closely with community partners to establish a hands-on program, inclusive of placements, in partnered long-term care facilities.

A female PSW stands behind an older woman sitting in a wheelchair
PSWs are often referred to as the backbone of healthcare. Halle Stringer is a recent PSW grad working at Lakeland LTC, seen here with resident Dorothy O’Rourke.

A PSW looks after the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of someone who is not able to do so themselves, frequently in the elderly population. The main responsibilities of a PSW include ensuring the patient has healthy and nutritious meals, helping with daily tasks and working with an interdisciplinary team to ensure the best quality of care.

People who do not currently possess their Grade 12 are also eligible. This unique program allows NNDSB to support students in completing their OSSD in tandem with this program. If you are interested, you can request an educational assessment by contacting Trina Nelson in student services at Parry Sound High School, 705-773-7979 extension 8438.

NNDSB Director of Education Craig Myles, who has been instrumental in seeking opportunities for the board to provide this innovative programming states, “NNDSB is thrilled to expand this opportunity to the Parry Sound region. The program contributes to an emergent and vital need for the Near North region. We are proud to offer a program that supports adults (18+) to find a rewarding career path in the health care industry and respond to a community need.”

Supported by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health, the student costs of this specialty program will be subsidized. Successful students of this program will become fully qualified as PSWs. The PSW program can be only the beginning of a journey into many healthcare opportunities. PSWs are employed in many care sectors such as homecare and assisted living and in various care facilities.

NNDSB’s partners in this program, are “excited by this awesome opportunity,” says Belvedere Heights Home for the Aged Administrator Kami Johnson.

“Our homes in Parry Sound are incredibly fortunate to work with a partner like our local high school,” says Steve White, administrator of Lakeland Long-Term Care. “Kami and I believe the Near North District School Board is not only going to make a difference in the lives of adults learning a new career, but in the daily lives of our seniors and most vulnerable.”

NNDSB is in the process of hiring qualified instructors for North Bay and Parry Sound. Instructors will be RNs or NPs with experience working in this field. Please refer to www.nearnorthschools.ca and select Join Our Team in the top right corner for employment information. NNDSB is excited by the expansion and still aiming for the new year to begin both programs. Registration is planned for January with an expected start of February 2022.

Spaces are limited. Anyone interested should plan to attend one of the two following information sessions: Nov. 16 at 1 p.m. online or Nov. 18 at 6 p.m. online. (Meetings are hyperlinked.)

NNDSB Chair Jay Aspin says, “The partnership in Parry Sound and the expansion of this programming is exactly what we aimed for. The alignment with the Board goals of excellence in innovation and excellence in building relationships is clear. We are eager to work in partnership with Belvedere Heights and Lakeland Long-Term Care on a sustainable pipeline of PSW students choosing highly rewarding programming in Northern communities.”

NNDSB is seeking partnerships with local long-term care homes in all regions of the board to re-engage learners who are 18+ interested in training to become a PSW. Any long-term care home interested in partnering should contact Liana Blaskievich, NNDSB’s Officer Corporate Affairs at 705-472-8170 ext. 5056 or liana.blaskievich@nearnorthschools.ca.

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For more information, please contact:

Deb Bartlett
Communications Officer
Near North District School Board
P. (705) 472-8170, extension 5010
E. Deb.Bartlett@nearnorthschools.ca

NNDSB Launches Innovative PSW Living Classroom Program at Cassellholme North Bay

Near North District School Board (NNDSB) is excited to announce the first of what it hopes will be many sustainable partnerships with long-term care facilities in all regions of the NNDSB.

NNDSB is proud to partner with Cassellholme in North Bay to provide Personal Support Worker (PSW) training in a living classroom environment at Cassellholme. Participants in the program will do their theoretical learning in a classroom at Cassellholme, then be able to apply those skills on the floor of the long-term care home, without having to wait for theory work to end before experiencing placement.

NNDSB hopes to help fill a growing demand for trained PSWs and to provide people 18 years of age and older with an exciting career path. NNDSB will work closely with community partners to establish a hands-on program, inclusive of placements, in partnered long-term care facilities.

A PSW looks after the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of someone who is not able to do so themselves, frequently in the elderly population. The main responsibilities of a PSW include ensuring the patient has healthy and nutritious meals, helping with daily tasks and working with an interdisciplinary team to ensure the best quality of care.

People who do not currently possess their Grade 12 are also eligible. This unique program allows NNDSB to support students in completing their OSSD in tandem with this program. If you are interested, you can request an educational assessment by contacting Vice-Principal Sarah Spence at Laurentian Learning Centre, 705-472-5419.

NNDSB Director of Education Craig Myles has been instrumental in seeking out opportunities for the board to provide innovative programming. He stated, “Providing this type of opportunity is extremely important to the Near North community in that it serves adult students who need that leg up to a diploma and a rewarding career with many opportunities for growth. The program supports an emergent and vital need for the Near North region. We are proud to offer programs that support students and respond to a community need.”

Supported by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health, the student costs for this specialty program will be subsidized. Successful students of this program will become fully qualified as a PSW. The PSW program can be only the beginning of a journey into many healthcare opportunities. PSWs are employed in many care sectors such as homecare and assisted living and in varied long-term care facilities.

NNDSB’s partner in this program, Cassellholme, has engaged employees in continued opportunities to learn as they earn and seek certification as Registered Practical Nurses (RPN), Registered Nurses (RN) or Registered Nurse Practitioners (NP). “Cassellholme is always looking for ways to be a community partner. By working with NNDSB, we can help foster a new generation of healthcare professionals which may very well be someone’s first step to a rewarding career,” said Cassellholme Chair Chris Mayne.

NNDSB is in the process of hiring a qualified instructor who is a RN or a NP with experience working in this field. Excited to start, NNDSB is aiming for the new year to begin this program. Registration is planned for January with an expected start of February 2022.

Spaces are limited. Anyone interested should plan to attend one of the two following information sessions: Nov. 16 at 1 p.m. online or Nov. 18 at 6 p.m. online. (Teams meeting information is hyperlinked.)

Near North District School Board Chair Jay Aspin said, “This is another proud moment for Near North District School Board in supporting our community. This innovative new program aligns with the Board goals of excellence in innovation and excellence in building relationships. We are enthused to work in partnership with Cassellholme and Ontario Health on what looks like just the beginning of highly rewarding programming in the North.”

“This partnership is a good example of increasing the accessibility of PSW training and education – a focus area of the North East Ontario Regional PSW Workforce Steering Committee,” said Michel O’Connor, Ontario Health North Eastern Region. The committee has come together to identify and to socialize some of the challenges affecting the retention, the recruitment and the sustainability of the PSW workforce. “We hope that the success of this collaboration will be sustained in the future and that the area will benefit from the investment in health human resources required to deliver healthcare services,” he said.

NNDSB is seeking partnerships with local long-term care homes in all regions of the board to re-engage learners who are 18+ interested in training to become a PSW. Any long-term care homes interested in partnering should contact Liana Blaskievich, NNDSB’s Officer Corporate Affairs at 705-472-8170 ext. 5056 or liana.blaskievich@nearnorthschools.ca.

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For more information, please contact:

Deb Bartlett
Communications Officer
Near North District School Board
P. (705) 472-8170, extension 5010
E. Deb.Bartlett@nearnorthschools.ca

Webinar – Grow Your Own PSWs: Regional Adaptations of the Living Classroom in Long Term Care

Join us for a Living Classroom webinar, part of AdvantAge Ontario’s Virtual Summer School. Visit the website for the full program and registration details.

Grow Your Own PSWs: Regional Adaptations of the Living Classroom in Long Term Care

Tuesday, August 11, 2020, 10:15 am-11:15 pm

  • Learn about the benefits of the Living Classroom, a postsecondary partnership program for addressing PSW shortages, including its impact on PSW recruitment and retention.
  • Explore evidence collected from use and regional adaptation of this model in different long-term care settings, and implementation strategies for successful program delivery from a range of stakeholder perspectives.
  • Identify how to assess your organization’s readiness to start a Living Classroom.

Speakers

Photo of Scott MitchellScott Mitchell, Knowledge Broker, Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging

Scott Mitchell is a Knowledge Broker at the Ontario Centre for Learning, Research and Innovation in Long-Term Care (CLRI) hosted by the Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging in Waterloo. He is a co-founder and coordinating committee member of the Canadian Knowledge Transfer and Exchange Community of Practice.


Photo of Shelley SheedyShelley Sheedy, Director, Long-Term Care, Bonnechere Manor, Renfrew and Miramichi Lodge, Pembroke

Shelley Sheedy is an experienced health care leader with a diverse range of acute care, community, education and long-term care experience. Within long-term care, Shelley has held progressive leadership positions including Resident Care Co-ordinator, Director of Care, Administrator and is currently the Director of Long-Term Care for both of the County of Renfrew’s Homes — Bonnechere Manor and Miramichi Lodge — with responsibility for 346 residents, over 500 staff, approximately 300 volunteers and a $32M budget. She also oversaw the redevelopment of the 166-bed Miramichi Lodge. Both Homes have achieved Accreditation Canada’s highest “Accreditation with Exemplary Standing” Award.

Shelley holds a Masters degree in Health Studies and a certificate in Healthcare Leadership from the Telfer School of Management (University of Ottawa) and sits on a number of regional and provincial committees. She has published several articles including “A Call to Action — Dispelling the Myths and Reducing the Negative Factors Impacting Nursing Recruitment in LTC”; “Should Upper Tier Municipalities in Ontario Contribute to the Operations of a LTC Home?”; and “Improving the Image of Nursing in Ontario — What Can you Do?”

Shelley’s career passions include leading change with a continuous quality improvement focus on evidenced-based practices and implementing innovative human resource practices.

Photo of Heather Klein-HorsmanHeather Klein-Horsman, PSW and PN Program Coordinator, Algonquin College

Heather Klein-Horsman, RN, graduated from University of Ottawa in 2006 and continued on to complete her Critical Care Course through Algonquin College. She worked at the intensive care unit at the Ottawa Civic Hospital from 2006-2009. In 2009 she moved to the Renfrew Valley region and started in the ICU/ER department at the Pembroke Regional Hospital and part-time clinical teaching with Algonquin College Pembroke campus. She completed her Masters in Nursing through Charles Sturt University, was hired full time at Algonquin College in 2014 and now coordinates both PSW and PN programs (the PSW Living Classroom is in its second year) and teaches throughout the Nursing programs. Heather has a passion for teaching, leadership and change management and serves on multiple committees through the College and Provincial level.

Photo of Lori CrossonLori Crosson, Director of Continuing Education and E-Learning, Sault College

Lori is responsible for various PSW programming including online offerings, in-community offerings and in-facility offerings. She has been a member of the Sault College Continuing Education team for over 10 years and has experience in various models of flexible education.

Enhancing nursing home care for seniors: impact of a living classroom on nursing assistant’s education

Veronique M. Boscart, Lynn McCleary, Paul Stolee, Linda Sheiban Taucar, Jessica Wilhelm, Keia Johnson, Josie d’Avernas, Paul Brown & Marlene Raasok, Educational Gerontology, 46:8, 461-472
https://doi.org/10.1080/03601277.2020.1774842

Abstract

Nursing Assistants (NAs) are the largest workforce in nursing homes, but often lack adequate preparation for their role. The Living Classroom (LC) is an integrated learning approach, whereby a NA program is delivered in a nursing home (NH) in collaboration with a community college. This paper describes the implementation and evaluation of the LC. Mixed methods were used to gather data from 48 NA students, 5 faculty, and 42 NH staff over 30 weeks. Students, faculty, and nursing home staff described the LC as a positive learning experience. Students’ gerontological knowledge increased over time (p = .0012). Students reported very positive relationships with program mentors and NH residents. The LC provides a unique approach to prepare NAs to work in nursing homes. This model could expand to other educational programs with a gerontology focus.

Grow Your Own PSWs: Regional Adaptations of the Living Classroom in LTC

UPDATE (March 18): The AdvantAge Ontario conference has been cancelled due to COVID-19. … Continue reading

UPDATE (March 18): The AdvantAge Ontario conference has been cancelled due to COVID-19

Join us for a Living Classroom presentation on Friday, April 24, 11:15 am-12:15 pm, at Advancing Senior Care, AdvantAge Ontario’s annual general meeting and convention.

  • Learn about the benefits of the Living Classroom, a postsecondary partnership program for addressing PSW shortages, including its impact on PSW recruitment and retention.
  • Explore evidence collected from use and regional adaptation of this model in different long-term care settings, and implementation strategies for successful program delivery from a range of stakeholder perspectives.
  • Identify how to assess your organization’s readiness to start a Living Classroom.

Speakers

Photo of Scott MitchellScott Mitchell, Knowledge Broker, Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging

Scott Mitchell is a Knowledge Broker at the Ontario Centre for Learning, Research and Innovation in Long-Term Care (CLRI) hosted by the Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging in Waterloo. He is a co-founder and coordinating committee member of the Canadian Knowledge Transfer and Exchange Community of Practice.


Photo of Shelley SheedyShelley Sheedy, Director, Long-Term Care, Bonnechere Manor, Renfrew and Miramichi Lodge, Pembroke

Shelley Sheedy is an experienced health care leader with a diverse range of acute care, community, education and long-term care experience. Within long-term care, Shelley has held progressive leadership positions including Resident Care Co-ordinator, Director of Care, Administrator and is currently the Director of Long-Term Care for both of the County of Renfrew’s Homes — Bonnechere Manor and Miramichi Lodge — with responsibility for 346 residents, over 500 staff, approximately 300 volunteers and a $32M budget. She also oversaw the redevelopment of the 166-bed Miramichi Lodge. Both Homes have achieved Accreditation Canada’s highest “Accreditation with Exemplary Standing” Award.

Shelley holds a Masters degree in Health Studies and a certificate in Healthcare Leadership from the Telfer School of Management (University of Ottawa) and sits on a number of regional and provincial committees. She has published several articles including “A Call to Action — Dispelling the Myths and Reducing the Negative Factors Impacting Nursing Recruitment in LTC”; “Should Upper Tier Municipalities in Ontario Contribute to the Operations of a LTC Home?”; and “Improving the Image of Nursing in Ontario — What Can you Do?”

Shelley’s career passions include leading change with a continuous quality improvement focus on evidenced-based practices and implementing innovative human resource practices.

Photo of Heather Klein-HorsmanHeather Klein-Horsman, PSW and PN Program Coordinator, Algonquin College

Heather Klein-Horsman, RN, graduated from University of Ottawa in 2006 and continued on to complete her Critical Care Course through Algonquin College. She worked at the intensive care unit at the Ottawa Civic Hospital from 2006-2009. In 2009 she moved to the Renfrew Valley region and started in the ICU/ER department at the Pembroke Regional Hospital and part-time clinical teaching with Algonquin College Pembroke campus. She completed her Masters in Nursing through Charles Sturt University, was hired full time at Algonquin College in 2014 and now coordinates both PSW and PN programs (the PSW Living Classroom is in its second year) and teaches throughout the Nursing programs. Heather has a passion for teaching, leadership and change management and serves on multiple committees through the College and Provincial level.


Photo of Pamela FicocielloPamela Ficociello, Executive Director, Algoma Manor

Pamela Ficociello serves as a AFS Board President, GPA Certified Coach and is a part of the Sault College Business Advisory Committee, and LTC Regional Committee. She has over 10 years of experience in a long-term care setting and 6 years of experience working in the mental health field as a Clinician Care and Treatment Worker.


Photo of Lori CrossonLori Crosson, Director of Continuing Education and E-Learning, Sault College

Lori is responsible for various PSW programming including online offerings, in-community offerings and in-facility offerings. She has been a member of the Sault College Continuing Education team for over 10 years and has experience in various models of flexible education.

The Living Classroom and Health Human Resources in Long-Term Care

The Ontario Centres for Learning, Research and Innovation in Long-Term Care (CLRI) will be presenting on the Living Classroom at the AdvantAge Region 7 meeting in Ottawa on Friday, November 8, 2019. This interactive presentation by the Ontario CLRI and invited guests will explore successful Living Classroom models in Ontario (including the Ottawa region)…. Continue reading

The Ontario Centres for Learning, Research and Innovation in Long-Term Care (CLRI) will be presenting on the Living Classroom at the AdvantAge Region 7 meeting in Ottawa on Friday, November 8, 2019. This interactive presentation by the Ontario CLRI and invited guests will explore successful Living Classroom models in Ontario (including the Ottawa region), engage participants in a hands-on activity to assess their own readiness to start a Living Classroom, and discuss the impact on health human resource challenges in LTC. Information about other CLRI initiatives to address HHR issues will also be provided.

Location: Hillel Lodge, 10 Nadolny Sachs Private, Ottawa
When: November 8, 2019, 8:00 am-3:00 pm
Cost: $20 (cash) per person

RSVP: Kelly Thompson, Kelly@hillel-ltc.com

Full-Day Workshop: Best Practices in Implementing a Living Classroom for Programs in Seniors Care

Join us on Friday, November 22, 2019, for an opportunity to understand the key features of implementing a successful Living Classroom for post-secondary education in seniors care. Conestoga College in partnership with Schlegel Villages and the Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging, has over a decade of experience operating a living classroom. Benefit from the experience and expertise of Dr. Veronique Boscart and the Living Classroom Team…. Continue reading

Workshop Description

An opportunity to understand the key features of implementing a successful Living Classroom for post-secondary education in seniors care. Conestoga College in partnership with Schlegel Villages and the Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging, has over a decade of experience operating a living classroom. Benefit from the experience and expertise of Dr. Veronique Boscart and the Living Classroom Team.

The Living Classroom is an innovative educational experience for students whose career path will lead them to work with older adults. The education program is delivered in a long-term care home, led by a post-secondary educator and involving students and those living and working in the long-term care home within a culture of interactive learning.

» Download the Event Flyer (PDF)

Workshop Details

Date: November 22, 2019, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Location: Conestoga College, Doon (Kitchener) campus
Cost: $300 per participant including lunch and refreshments (provided by The Ontario Centres for Learning, Research and Innovation in Long-Term Care (CLRI)), parking and materials

Presenter

Dr. Veronique Boscart, RN, PhD
Executive Dean, School of Health & Life Sciences
CIHR/Schlegel Industrial Research Chair for Colleges in Seniors Care
Executive Director, Schlegel Centre for Advancing Seniors Care
Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning

Participant Benefit

College administrators and faculty will learn in an interactive environment about key success factors and practical applications to grow and sustain an innovative Living Classroom within the college and LTC context.

Registration

CLICK TO REGISTER Register by November 15, 2019

For more information, contact
Regina Dryngiewicz, Program Assistant
519-748-5220 ext. 3635
SchlegelCentre@conestogac.on.ca