Cooperating Teachers

EDAS 1181 Field Practice (previously known as EDAS 181) is two, full days a week for the length of the Winter term. This is an EA student’s opportunity to put a theory to practice by developing their skill within the EA profession.  Students are placed in K-12 classroom settings to work with Alberta-certified teachers that use the Alberta Program of Studies in public or accredited private schools. The cooperating teacher will support the EA student in their role of refining academic and behaviour supports in the classroom.

For further information review the EDAS 1181 Course Overview.

EDAS 1114 Field Experience (previously known as EDAS 114) is Monday to Friday (full days) for 4 weeks. In EDAS 1114, EA students continue to develop their skill set from theory and previous practicum experience. Students are placed in K-12 classroom settings to work with Alberta-certified teachers that use the Alberta Program of Studies in public or accredited private schools. The cooperating teacher supports the EA student in their role of refining academic and behaviour supports in the classroom. 

For  further information review the following course overviews (for the appropriate term):

• EDAS 1114 Course Overview (Fall) 

• EDAS 1114 Course Overview (Spring)

To be a mentor teacher you must have:

• your Bachelor of Education (or equivalent)

• your permanent teacher certification 

• a minimum three years of successful teaching experience 

• support of the school administration

 If you are hosting practicum students across multiple programs, please contact edpracticum@rdpolytech.ca for discussion.

Please view the Information Package for Cooperating Teachers for the following information:

• Co-operating teacher responsibilities.

• EA practicum student responsibilities.

• Tasks that may be performed during practicum.

• ATA policies regarding Teacher Assistants and the education of students with special needs.

• ATA policies regarding Inclusive Education.

Types of Support provided by the Cooperating Teacher and Instructor

Evaluation Forms

• EA 1181 Evaluation Form 

• EA 1114 Evaluation Form

If you have questions at any time about the evaluation form, please contact the RDP instructor who is responsible for your practicum student. We expect that EA students will be able to provide you with competent assistance in your classroom and that you will be willing to offer helpful advice to them as they seek to improve their performance.

• Daily feedback is recommended throughout the practicum so the student may demonstrate a willingness to accept and carry out constructive suggestions for improvement.

• A meeting with the RDP instructor, cooperating teacher, and EA student may be called at any time that one or more of those involved feels it is necessary. The purpose of such a meeting would be to resolve concerns and clarify any expectations that may have been misunderstood.

Your evaluations are extremely important, and the EA student must receive a copy so that she/he can use them for job application purposes if they so choose. 

What happens if things are not going well?

Conversations between the cooperating teacher, RDP instructor, and EA student are on-going throughout the practicum. If a concern is raised, a process will begin to create short term goals that the EA student will need to meet. If a concern continues and the EA student is at risk of failing or receiving a poor Final Formative Assessment, not meeting expectations, the cooperating teacher and instructor will inform the EA student and a plan will be put in place. 

1. To avoid this, EA students are expected to:

   • Always consider professionalism

   • Strive for proficiency in any of the evaluation categories

2. Communication is vital between the EA student, cooperating teacher and RDP instructor about expectations.

3. The cooperating teacher will communicate with the Instructor as soon as possible if a concern is evident. 

• Due to the fluid nature of Field Experience placements for Educational Assistant and BEd students across the province, RDP Instructors and Practicum Advisors may engage in virtual observation and support conversations with mentors and RDP students. The virtual observations and conversations will be in place of conducting in-person visits to the school in areas outside of Red Deer. 

• For further information, please  click here.

• Teachers and Educational Assistants (The Alberta Teachers' Association)