Associate Teachers
For any questions or concerns, please contact the Practicum Office at practicum.edu@ontariotechu.ca or the Practicum Specialist.
General Tips
Offer encouragement; the Teacher Candidate may be nervous, and a little praise may go a long way.
Teacher Candidates are not teachers... yet! As a mentor, provide constructive feedback so that they can work on the areas that require improvement.
The Teacher Candidate will learn so much from simply being with you, the professional! Your feedback and exemplary teaching will provide great learning opportunities for the Teacher Candidate.
We recognize that IEPs, Student Safety Plans, Medical Plans, etc. are sensitive and confidential documents but it is important information of which Teacher Candidates need to be aware.
It may sometimes be difficult to give constructive criticism; the Teacher Candidate knows that your job is to assist them in becoming the best educators they can be.
Always apprise the Teacher Candidate of any special needs or medical needs in the classroom.
Teacher Candidates require permission to attend parent/teacher interviews, PA Day activities, and any out of school activities. Permission is at the discretion of the Principal and Associate Teacher.
Gradual Increase of Responsibility
Please allow for sufficient observation time for the Teacher Candidate to review routines.
The Teacher Candidate can learn so much about establishing relationships with students, classroom management, and communication just by leading the class through general routines such as entry/exit routines, or any other regular classroom activity that is part of the daily classroom activity.
Examples of Routines Might Include:
School / classroom entry and dismissal procedures or routines.
Attendance, late routine, and processes for ensuring absent students can access the work/lesson upon returning.
Routines for responding to parent communication.
Distributing / collecting forms or assignments.
Communication routines with EAs and ECEs.
Any routine that is specific to your class (i.e., washroom breaks).
Routines for technology.
Teacher Candidate Attendance Protocol
If, for any reason, a Teacher Candidate is absent during a Field Experience, the following protocol must be followed:
The Teacher Candidate shall notify the Associate Teacher and Foundations Instructor via an agreed upon method (e.g., email, text, via the school office) before school begins for the day. Failure to do so may result in removal from the practicum.
If an Observation or Placement Day falls on a PA Day for the board, the Teacher Candidate may be invited by the Associate Teacher (with permission of the principal) to attend and is encouraged to do so by the faculty. If they are not invited, the day must be rescheduled.
The Teacher Candidate is expected to submit all lesson plans and related materials when absent. If the Teacher Candidate is scheduled to teach on the day of absence, the Teacher Candidate must submit lesson plans to the Associate Teacher before school begins for the day.
The Teacher Candidate must make up any missed Field Experience days, mutually agreed upon with the Associate Teacher.
In the case of inclement weather, the Teacher Candidate should follow the procedure as outlined by their host school/board.
If you are concerned at all about days missed, please reach out to the Foundations Instructor / Liaison or practicum.edu@ontariotech.ca
Thank You!
The Associate Teacher’s role is critical to the education, success, and growth of Teacher Candidates as educators. The Faculty of Education values the expertise, commitment, and time given by Associate Teachers to mentor our Teacher Candidates. Associate Teachers not only demonstrate exemplary practices, but also mentor, guide, and assist Teacher Candidates in becoming teachers. You are the key to the success of our Field Experience!
The Practicum Team is committed to working closely with schools and Associate Teachers to make this a successful and rewarding experience.
We thank you for your time, energy, and patience.