Transcript Faculty Advisor Meeting

Practicum Meeting
October 19, 2009
Year 2 Teacher Candidates
Welcome to 2009-10
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Term One highlights: iTeach
Workshops, GO conference (P/J)and
EQAO/ESL presentations (J/I) on
November 23
Practicum is on Oct.26, Nov.2,9,16,30
First term evaluation is due from
associate teachers on Dec.11
Year Two Expectations
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Practicum binder
Observe and assist in classroom
Conduct routines
Plan and teach lesson by mid-Nov.
Teach a minimum of one lesson per
practicum day with full lesson plan
“Learning to Teach and
Teaching to Learn”
A cyclical process of planning, teaching,
reflecting and learning
The more you teach, the more you
learn…
The practicum is the opportunity to
observe and explore various teaching
styles
The Components of the
Practicum
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Privilege
Reality
Application
Cooperation
Teaching
Inquiry
Collegiality
Understanding
Mentorship
Professionalism
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Professional dress and demeanour
Punctuality and regular attendance
Positive speech and interactions
Use digital etiquette
Confidentiality is important
Healthy and Safety protocols
Role of the Faculty
Advisor
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Ongoing contact and support
Coaching, suggesting, advocating for
our students
Ensuring a standard of professionalism
Maintaining expectations of the school
and the program
Evaluating one formal lesson for final
report
Evaluation Schedule
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Faculty advisor should make one
informal visit in term one and a formal
evaluation of a lesson in term two.
Evaluations are about one hour in
length and based on the teach of a
lesson.
Lesson plan should be emailed to the
advisor prior to the evaluation
Final Report/Evaluation
Form
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The Faculty Advisor may provide a
paper copy with notes
The final report will be completed online and submitted to the Practicum
Office
The Practicum Office will provide the
final copy to students and keep on file
Unusual Situations
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The Practicum Office has established a
committee (PAC) to review each case
and make recommendations
We will attempt to make the practicum
successful
Removal of the candidate is only in
extenuating circumstances
If unsuccessful, will have to make-up
the placement-only can happen once
Characteristics of
Exemplary Teaching
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Interacts positively with staff and learners
Engages learners
Differentiates instruction
Takes initiative and reflects often
Plans and assesses thoroughly
Integrates interesting materials and technology
Motivates and involves learners
Paces and times lesson
Communicates and questions clearly
Recognizes and reinforces appropriate behaviours
Lesson Plans
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Two templates
Teacher Directed and Activity Based
Each section should be completed
electronically
Uses clear directions for teacher and
students
Expectations are assessed
Comprehensive and detailed
Practicum overview
Minimum of 8 weeks from OCT
 Average of 12 weeks in most programs: some
dyads
 In our five year program, you will have:
 Year one: 4 weeks
 Year two: 4 weeks
 Year three: 4 weeks
 Year four: 4 weeks (alternate)
 Year five: 8 weeks
 Total = 24 weeks
This is a very expensive program to deliver.
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Mentorship
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Pair a first year candidate with an upper
year candidate, usually in the same class
Piloted in King George School (07-08)
Implemented for most teacher candidates in
2008-09
Based on New Teacher Induction Model and
Principal Mentoring Model
Challenges: role descriptions
Advantages: shared knowledge and skill
development
Develops necessary mentoring skills
Mentor activities
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Become familiar with classroom
Become familiar with novice
Explain routines and resources
Offer to review lesson plans
Assist in planning and teaching
Provide reflections and feedback
Areas to address:
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“I think we should have met our mentors
earlier so that when we went into the
classroom we were more comfortable with
each other.”
“More guidance is needed: I don’t think
anyone really understood the roles of the
two candidates in the same classroom.
While this allowed us to form a
relationship/balance that works for us, some
more suggestions would have been good.”
Strengths
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“Studies have shown teaching is the best way to
learn something. By telling my mentorship partner
my methods, I am reviewing them in my mind and
becoming more familiar and comfortable with them.
It is also a great way to widen your network. I am
learning quite a bit from my mentorship partner’s
observations too. They notice different things
than I do and it helps to discuss them.”
“It gives you a lot of support and confidence, and I
feel that it is the best program I have heard of in
comparison to others in Ontario.”