Paving roads to success: The Boulet family's commitment to supporting student teachers in rural placements

Dedicated alumni Toby (BEd ’89, MEd ’04) and Bernadine (Bernie) (BEd ’88) Boulet are taking a significant step in supporting the next generation of educators by championing the University of Lethbridge Faculty of Education’s new initiative, Paving Roads to Success — a transformative fundraising campaign that addresses the support needs of third-year student teachers pursuing rural placements. With over 60 years of combined teaching experience, Bernie and Toby understand the impact of student teachers and the importance of ensuring equal opportunities for them to thrive.

“I taught in Lethbridge, working with student teachers and giving back to the community of education," says Toby. "We need student teachers. They are a massive part of our community, and we recognize that students in rural placements need help financially because they’re paying additional expenses. Supporting our future teachers benefits everyone and we feel as though we have a responsibility to help. It’s what communities do, support each other.”

Student teachers in rural placements face greater financial challenges due to additional travel and living expenses. The campaign aims to reduce financial stress and empower student teachers to bring quality education to underserved communities across Alberta. 

“This initiative will really help our students; they are facing the most economic stress university students have ever experienced,” says Dr. Doug Checkley, instructor and assistant dean of field experiences. "It’s also a great initiative because it will support our rural partners. They now have the opportunity to host third-year student teachers. When students spend a full 16-week practicum in a smaller community, the chances of them looking for employment there greatly increases. It’s a win for the students and a win for our rural partners who we are hoping to support in finding new teachers for their communities.”

Earlier this year, Bernie announced her retirement from a 36-year teaching career that began in a rural setting. Drawing from her first-hand experience, she attests to the invaluable benefits that student teachers gain from being part of a community beyond the walls of a school. Bernie maintains this campaign will additionally benefit rural schools as student teachers bring new energy, talent and resources.

“The opportunity I had to be part of a rural community and what I learned about Indigenous culture, I carried with me through my entire career," she says. "In a rural placement, you gain an appreciation of what it’s like to be part of a rural school and understand the impact a school can have when it is the hub of a community." 

Discussing the influence that rural areas can have on an individual, Bernie and Toby reflected on their son, Logan, who developed an admiration for the city of Humboldt during his time playing hockey for the Humboldt Broncos. Logan was one of the 16 victims of the Humboldt Broncos bus crash in 2018.

“He had been registered at the University of Lethbridge to go into education and was going to be a teacher," says Toby. "He told me and Bernie, ‘Humboldt is a nice town; I could teach here. I could live in Humboldt and teach here’. He was born and raised in Lethbridge, and he had one major experience for 21 months over three years, living in a centre like that. So, if a student gets a chance to go somewhere, they could think, ‘I could live here, I could be a teacher here, I could do this.'"

Toby and Bernie now urge others to make their mark as donors by supporting the Faculty of Education's new campaign. Any donations to the Paving Roads to Success campaign will be matched by the ULethbridge Board of Governors as part of their $10-million pledge to student awards.

“This is a chance to give back to education, to the faculty and to the students. This money goes directly to students and allows them to focus on their teaching and experience the benefits of being in a smaller community."

If you are interested in supporting this initiative, click here.