Associate Teachers
Teacher Candidate Evaluations
Considerations for Evaluating the Field Experience Placement
The evaluation of the Teacher Candidate should consider their status as a developing teacher and not that of an experienced educator.
Some Teacher Candidates will require extra assistance, guidance, and encouragement.
If two Associate Teachers work with a Teacher Candidate for relatively equal amounts of time, they are asked to each contribute to the Practicum Interim Report and the Associate Teacher Field Experience Final Report.
📝 Evaluating the Teacher Candidate
1. Providing Feedback (Formative)
Your feedback is key to the learning and growth of the Teacher Candidate who benefit greatly when they receive realistic and constructive feedback on a regular basis.
Engage daily in conversation with the Teacher Candidate to discuss strengths and areas for improvement.
Review, observe, and provide written comments about lesson/unit plans and their implementation.
Feel free to use this daily feedback resource to guide your formative feedback.
Use the Practicum Interim Report as a guide to assist with the oral feedback process. The performance indicators listed on the observation sheets include all of the “look-fors” that will be included in the Associate Teacher Field Experience Final Report.
Select one area to comment on each day (for example, focus on communication for one lesson and class management for another).
2. Practicum Interim Report (Formative)
Complete the Practicum Interim Report at the end of Block Week Two.
Please see the Practicum Evaluation Rubric for more information and guidance.
Please provide the Teacher Candidate with a copy of the completed Practicum Interim Report; the Teacher Candidate is responsible for sharing this with the University.
If the Teacher Candidate receives any Level 1s on the Practicum Interim Report, please follow the Steps to Take if the Teacher Candidate is Experiencing Difficulty.
3. Field Experience Final Report (Summative)
Complete the Final Report at the end of the Field Experience. Final Evaluation reports are official documents and will be used by Teacher Candidates when they are applying for teaching positions.
This report is a web-based version of the Practicum Interim Report and will be completed in the Field Experience Portal online.
The Associate Teacher will receive an email from the Practicum Office during the latter part of the Placement Block with instructions and a link to complete the Final Report.
Support and assistance for completion is available through the Practicum Office.
4. If the Teacher Candidate is Experiencing Difficulty
Since all situations vary, the issues that occur will be addressed in an appropriate and collaborative manner based on the professional judgement of the Associate Teacher, Foundations Instructor, and Practicum Specialist.
The Associate Teacher is encouraged to keep appropriate documentation, and if the Teacher Candidate demonstrates a Level 1 rating in any of the ‘Look Fors’ on the Practicum Interim Report the Associate Teacher should contact the Foundations Instructor.
Using the Practicum Interim Report as a basis for discussion, the Associate Teacher should discuss the areas for improvement and concerns with the Teacher Candidate by offering constructive suggestions, guidance, and assistance where necessary.
The Associate Teacher should use the Improvement Action Plan (IAP) to set reasonable and realistic goals for improvement.
The Foundations Instructor will ensure that the Teacher Candidate understands the concerns outlined in the IAP, as well as the necessary action required to improve and continue in the placement by a specified timeline.
The Practicum Specialist will be available to provide support, suggestions and guidance to the Associate Teacher in developing the IAP and in monitoring subsequent performance of the Teacher Candidate.
The Associate Teacher should:
Inform the school Principal.
Contact the Foundations Instructor.
Complete the Improvement Action Plan (IAP), and give copies to both the Teacher Candidate and the Foundations Instructor.
The Associate Teacher and the Foundations Instructor will monitor subsequent performance of the Teacher Candidate and determine whether or not the Teacher Candidate may continue the placement.
The Foundations Instructor will inform the Practicum Specialist of the progress of the Teacher Candidate.
The Foundations Instructor, Associate Teacher, and Practicum Specialist will discuss next steps and take the appropriate action.
❗ Teacher Candidate Removal from the Field Experience Placement:
The Teacher Candidate may immediately be withdrawn from the Field Experience Placement for reasons including (but not limited to):
A report by school personnel and/or Foundations Instructor of physical or sexual abuse;
A report by school personnel and/or Foundations Instructor of unprofessional conduct as regulated by the Education Act, The Teaching Profession Act and the Ontario College of Teachers Act;
An assessment by school personnel and/or Foundations Instructor that the Teacher Candidate’s behaviour seriously or chronically affects the emotional or physical health of pupils;
In the opinion of the Faculty of Education or the Associate Teacher or school Principal, evidence that continued placement could have a detrimental effect on the school staff, program, students or Teacher Candidate; and
Legitimate factors that affect the Teacher Candidate’s performance to the extent that successful completion of the placement is unlikely.
When the Teacher Candidate is withdrawn from a Field Experience placement, the Practicum Specialist will meet with the Associate Teacher and other school and University personnel as necessary. The Practicum Placement Review Committee will determine whether the withdrawal will result in failure for that placement.