Associate Teachers’ Information

Thank you for participating in Brock’s teacher education program as an Associate Teacher. Teacher Candidates often tell us how much they appreciate the guidance they receive from teachers in the field. Your continuing support is an invaluable contribution to the teacher education program.

As a partner in education, your time and attention are in demand and we appreciate you taking some of your valuable time to contribute to the professional development of our teacher candidates while they navigate their way into the profession.

What placements look like over the 2 years + Expectation Documents

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.

Notes

  • Just a friendly reminder that as per ETFO and OSSTF, associate teachers are “legally responsible for the students in their classes and so under no circumstances should Teacher Candidates be left alone in the classroom. Associate teachers must be in the class or just outside of the class where they can hear/see what is happening. This is both for the associate teachers protection as well as that of the Teacher Candidate”. As well,”Teacher Candidates are not to be used as “on-call” teachers without a certified teacher also present, and absolutely not as supply teachers.” (OSSTF, 2008).
  • While in placement, teacher candidates are required to follow the school board policy for inclement weather and follow the lead of the school they are placed at in terms of school closures due to weather.

Resources

  • P/J/I Associate Teacher Package
  • I/S Associate Teacher Package
  • Final Evaluation Information & Rubric
  • Teacher Education Program Handbook
  • What to do if there is a challenging placement (checklist)
  • Contact information