Structured Experience Days

Teacher candidates complete structured observation all-day on scheduled Wednesdays until the Internship begins in December. The Structured Experience Days are designed to provide the teacher candidates with insights into the community, programs, and philosophical structures that are unique to the entire school.

*There is no evaluative component for the Structured Experience Days.

Internship

Teacher candidates are in schools for a two-week Internship in December. During the Internship, teacher candidates complete several tasks including: submitting complete lesson plans for discussion and feedback with the associate teacher; maintaining an up-to-date, current and complete daybook, including seating plans, lesson plans and assessment records; and applying classroom management strategies with assistance. Also:

• P/J/I – teacher candidates micro-teach one lesson with feedback from peers and the practicum advisor and assists the classroom teacher with his/her other lessons. The P/J/I teacher candidates also contribute one lesson per day, related to Math or Literacy, during the second week.
• I/S – teacher candidates teach one class per day and assists the associate teacher with the two other classes.

*Associate teachers are asked to provide assessment on the Internship Checklist.

Block 1

Teacher candidates complete a 5-week practicum placement.

• At the P/J/I level – The Block 1 placement takes place in January/February. The focus of this placement is on Literacy and Math but the candidate teaches a minimum of 50% of all subjects at the end of the five weeks, with possibility of teaching up to 75% percent. Please note that the teacher candidates are not expected to teach 100% during this placement.
• At the I/S level – The Block 1 placement takes place in April/May. During this placement the teacher candidate teaches/manages one class per day during the first placement. In addition to teaching one class per day, teacher candidates are also responsible for observing/assisting in two other classes per day.

*Associate teachers are asked to complete a formative assessment on the Mid-Practicum Evaluation Form mid-way through the placement and a summative online evaluation at the end of the placement.

**Practicum Advisors will be visiting teacher candidates during the placement to complete an evaluation and to conference with the teacher candidates.

Block 2

Teacher candidates complete a 6-week practicum placement.

• At the P/J/I level – The Block 2 placement takes place in November/December. During this placement the teacher candidate teaches a minimum of 75% percent of all subjects increasing to 100% by the end of the six-week placement.
• At the I/S level – The Block 2 placement takes place in November/December. During this placement the teacher candidate teaches two classes per day. In addition to teaching two classes per day, teacher candidates are also responsible for observing/assisting in a third class.

*Associate teachers are asked to complete a formative assessment on the Mid-Practicum Evaluation Form mid-way through the placement and a summative online evaluation at the end of the placement.

**Practicum Advisors will be visiting teacher candidates during the placement to complete an evaluation and to conference with them.

Block 3

Teacher candidates complete a 6-week practicum placement.

• At the P/J/I level – The third and final placement takes place in February/March/April. During this placement the teacher candidate teaches 100% throughout the six-week placement.
• At the I/S level – The third and final placement takes place in February/March/April. During this placement the teacher candidate teaches three classes per day.

*Associate teachers are asked to complete a formative assessment on the Mid-Practicum Evaluation Form mid-way through the placement and a summative online evaluation at the end of the placement.

**Practicum Advisors will only visit teacher candidates if there is a challenge during the placement. Advisors will be available by phone or email throughout this placement.