Pre-service Teacher Information

1. You must register via Bear Tracks in the appropriate EDFX course. As an IFX student, you must register in an on-campus seminar, which will automatically register you for the student teaching portion of the field experience. 

2. Provide information using the step-by-step instructions to navigate the campusBRIDGE portal. We anticipate that campusBRIDGE will be available to students mid-April.

If you have additional information that was not able to be included in your campusBRIDGE submission (i.e. extenuating circumstances and special requests), please refer to the forms cabinet for these additional forms. 

• Please contact your placement coordinator for further assistance. 

• Local elementary: edfx.elementary@ualberta.ca 

• Local secondary: edfx.secondary@ualberta.ca 

• Regional elementary & secondary: edfx.regional@ualberta.ca 

IFX and AFX Placements

Requests for local or regional placements must be submitted in CampusBRIDGE (Steps #1 and #2). Deadline for this submission varies. Please refer to Field Experience Dates 

EDFX 495 Placements

•  EDFX 495 is offered exclusively as a local placement; the campusBRIDGE steps generally need to be completed 2 months prior to the start of this FX. Once registered in this course, the Placement Coordinator will reach out to you. 

Local (Edmonton and Area) Placements

• Program match is the primary source used to determine where you will be placed for your field experiences.

• Students can expect to be placed within a 90 minute (one way) commute from their home address. 

• The Edmonton area includes Devon, Fort Saskatchewan, St Albert, Sherwood Park, Leduc, Spruce Grove, Stony Plain, and any other community located within 40 km of the University of Alberta campus.

Regional Placements

• A placement is considered "regional" if the school is located more than 40 km from Edmonton. Students will offer 3 communities where they are open to be placed.

Placement Guidelines

• The field experience unit has the sole authority to arrange all the placements. 

• Program match is the most important factor when making placements. Access to transportation will not be a determining factor when making placements in the greater Edmonton area.

• In the Introductory Field Experience (IFX), two (2) pre-service teachers can be placed with one (1) mentor teacher. 

• In both IFX and AFX, one (1) pre-service teacher can be placed with two (2) mentor teachers. 

• Pre-service teachers are encouraged to apply for a Regional Placement.

• Pre-service teachers are not placed in schools for the following reasons, and are obligated to notify field experience staff of any of the following conflicts:

  • have attended as a student within the last 5 years

  • have immediate family members currently enrolled (spouse, parent, children, siblings, aunt/uncle)

  • have immediate family members on staff (spouse, parent, children, siblings, aunt/uncle)

  • have been employed (within the last 5 years), or are currently employed 

  • We strive to match secondary placements primarily a student’s major it is not uncommon to also teach subjects in other areas. 

Police Information Check and Alberta Intervention Record Check

All pre-service teachers registered in EDFX 200, 495, 325, 350, 425, 450, 498 or 499 must have a *current Police Information Check (including a Vulnerable Sector Check) prior to starting their field experience placement. Additionally, a *current Alberta Intervention Record Check is also required for all pre-service teachers registered in EDFX 495, 325, 350, 425, 450, 498 or 499. 

NOTE: 

• Most school districts consider PICs and IRCs valid for 6 months. 

• Your PIC and IRC must be within 6 months of the ENDING date of your practicum so that they do not expire while you are in your placement. 

  • For fall term field experiences, your PIC and IRC must not be dated earlier than July 1.

  • For winter term field experiences, your PIC and IRC must not be dated earlier than November 1.

  • All students must then upload their completed checks into campusBRIDGE. 

  • The education module in campusBRIDGE is periodically closed to students. If you are having difficulty uploading, please email your checks to fxchecks@ualberta.ca and we will complete these steps for you.

  • If you have any concerns about your ability to clear these checks, please contact the Lead Field Experience Associate  fxchecks@ualberta.ca as soon as possible after registering for your field experience. 

Police Information Check (including Vulnerable Sector Check)

• The cost of the Police Information Check varies and is tax deductible. The cost is the student's responsibility. 

• All students require a Police Information Check (with a Vulnerable Sector Check)

Students with a current Edmonton address:

• must complete a record check with Edmonton Police Service (including a Vulnerable Sector Check). For further information, see the Police Information Check Section on the EPS website. 

Students residing outside of Edmonton:

• must follow the directions on the RCMP website and follow up with the local RCMP detachment (required for the Vulnerable Sector Check). For further information, see the Criminal Record including Vulnerable Sector Check Section on the RCMP website. 

Alberta Intervention Record Check

Please complete the digital IRC Intervention Record Check  and follow the steps below:

• You will require Adobe Acrobat Reader on your device. Do not print or photograph the digital pdf form. Do not change the form to a Word document. Use the fill and sign.  Note: This form may have issues (come through blank) if completed on a Mac, Chromebook, or iPhone. Ensure you ‘save as’ and re-attach the document to the email you send in. 

• Email the form to the IRC unit closest in your region. (see email address below). 

• Attach a copy of two pieces of government ID to the same email, send it as a second attachment to the same email address. 

• Government ID must include at least 1 piece with a photo. Examples of accepted forms of ID: driver’s license, AB identification card, Treaty Status card, Alberta Health Care card, firearms license, birth certificate, passport. Do not send a copy of your Social Insurance Number.
  
  

 The IRC mailboxes for Alberta’s 5 Regions are : 

• North Region – CS.IRCNorth@gov.ab.ca  780-675-6872 (North Region)

• Edmonton Region – CS.IRCEdmonton@gov.ab.ca  780 427 1471 (Edmonton Region)

• Central Region – CS.IRCCentral@gov.ab.ca  403 341 8642 (Central Region)

• Calgary Region – CS.IRCCalgary@gov.ab.ca  403 297 6100 (Calgary Region)

• South Region – CS.IRCSouth@gov.ab.ca  403 362 1284 (South Region)

Before submitting your request, please check that you have:

• Entered your personal information – name, complete address, aliases, children, DOBs, etc. If the postal code does not work please put it in after the city.

• Identified the organization & type of position you are applying for  ( Organization = U of A  Type of Position = Student teachers)

• Type your name and date at the bottom of sections 1 & 2 to verify the information provided is correct and to consent to having the check completed (ensure you check the box in front as well).

• Ensured that the completed IRC form is attached as a PDF. Do not include pictures, apps, or web links as they cannot be opened.

• Your request should be sent to the Regional IRC unit closest to you for processing. 

NOTE: Incomplete requests will be returned for correction and will create delays in processing. Please note that processing times may take up to 30 business days and will depend on the volume of requests.

If you have any concerns about your ability to clear these checks, please contact baril@ualberta.ca as soon as possible after registering for your field experience.

IFX AND AFX Introductory Form

What is the purpose of the introduction?

It serves as a way for the mentor teachers and school coordinators to gain background knowledge about pre-service teachers and their prior experiences. 

What information do I include in the introductory form?

• what you hope to learn and experience during the field experience.

• your background working with children and/or youth.

• your personal interests and skills.

• your emergency contacts and medical alerts (if any).

The introductory form can be found under the forms tab. The information should be written in a friendly, yet professional tone, using full sentences. The introduction provides the first impression of you as a pre-service teacher. Please do not exceed one page in length and ensure you have someone proofread it. Should you require editing/proofreading assistance, the U of A Writing Services offers FREE writing workshops and tutorials. 

Who do I share the form with when I am done?

All pre-service teachers must use their ualberta e-mail account for communication to mentor teachers, school coordinators or other school personnel; as well as, when communicating with the University of Alberta about their field experience.

Share your introductory form as a Google doc, using view-only mode, with your school coordinator, mentor teacher, and university facilitator. (Note that  your university facilitator will be  listed as "field supervisor" in campusBRIDGE.)

When do I need to send it?

Both IFX and AFX students should refer to the Important Dates document on the EDFX homepage for information about when to share your completed introduction form.

Student Accommodation Policy

The University of Alberta has committed to nurturing an inclusive learning community that centres equity and diversity in its environment and recognizes the inherent dignity of all learners. As such, accommodation support is available to remove barriers for eligible students who encounter limitations or restrictions to their ability to perform the activities necessary for university life. If you are a student with a documented condition affecting mobility, vision, hearing, learning, and physical or mental health, you may have the opportunity to receive accommodations during your field placement, if you feel they are required.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

1. Your class accommodations DO NOT CARRY OVER to your field experience. Even if your class accommodations letter mentions field placement or practicum, you must contact your Accessibility Advisor to start a separate process specific to your education field experience.

2. If you received accommodations in previous field experiences, and wish to have accommodations in your next placement, you must also contact your Accessibility Advisor ASAP to let them know that you wish to have another accommodation plan. Your previous accommodation plan will not automatically carry over into your next practicum.

If you want to consider accommodations for your practicum, or have any questions about your eligibility for accommodations, you are strongly encouraged to contact the Academic Success Centre as soon as possible to connect with an Accessibility Advisor to start the process. 

• Preparatory Seminar Series: 7-8 weeks of seminars prior to the in-school placement

• Orientation Days - 3 full days of orientation prior to the IFX start date. Note: Pre-service teachers will schedule orientation days in collaboration with their mentor teacher. They MUST NOT be scheduled during U of A classes, including EDFX seminars. 

• Full-time In-school Placement - 25 full-time and continuous days in a school placement. (Note: The 25 teaching days are calculated based on the school district’s calendar, therefore ending dates will vary.) 

General Expectations

The University of Alberta expects students in their IFX to:

• adhere to the New Professional Code of Conduct at all times; link on manual

• adhere to the guidelines from the Alberta Teachers' Association

• send the introductory form prior to the field experience

• attend all orientation days;

• be present on all school days (IFX students are only allowed two days of unavoidable absence without jeopardizing their field experience)

• Pre-service teachers are expected to approach field experience as a full-time teaching position, realizing that a teacher’s work day does not start and end with the students’ class times. Plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before the first bell, or as directed by your mentor teacher, and remain at least 30 minutes after school, or as required, to prepare for the next day's lessons, and for discussions, meetings, school events, extra-curricular duties, supervision duties, etc. Pre-service teachers are expected to be flexible and agreeable to the time required of teachers in addition to regular class times, such as before classes begin, during lunch, and after students are dismissed. 

IFX Seminar

The IFX Seminar Series is an integral component of the field experience course. Pre-service teachers meet weekly with a field experience associate (FEA) during the months leading up to their field placement. This seminar series was developed to prepare pre-service teachers for their introductory field experience (IFX). The seminar provides pre-service teachers an opportunity to connect the content of their education coursework with the expectations for pre-service teaching. 

Seminar topics include demonstrating professionalism, establishing positive student-teacher relationships, exploring classroom management strategies, supporting positive student behaviour, planning effective lessons, becoming a reflective practitioner, growth mindset, welcoming feedback, developing a growth plan, and understanding practicum expectations. 

Seminar Attendance: Pre-service teachers are expected to attend every seminar, and actively participate in all activities. Attendance is monitored as this is a mandatory component of a credit course. Absences may jeopardize field experience placement in a school. 

Orientation Days 

Orientation days are important to assist pre-service teachers to become familiar with their mentor teacher, the students, the classroom routines, and the school community. Pre-service teachers must arrange with their school coordinator / mentor teacher three (3) mutually convenient full school days for orientation prior to the start date. Due to a pre-service teacher’s course schedule, 2 half-days may be scheduled to make up a full day if necessary. Pre-service teachers must not use university class time, including EDFX seminar time, for orientation days. 

DETAILED TIMELINE AND EXPECTATIONS: Please refer to the INTRODUCTORY FIELD EXPERIENCE MANUAL for a complete overview of IFX, plus a detailed timeline of how the IFX progresses through 25 days.  

The advanced field experience (AFX) provides the opportunity for Pre-service teachers to further develop TQS competencies in areas such as,

• planning and teaching lessons and units;

• individualizing teaching to meet the diverse learning needs of all students;

• managing the classroom; and

• assessing student progress.

NOTE:  It is important that you read through the Advanced Field Experience Manual and AFX Guidebook located on the home page.  

General Expectations 

Please note, start and end dates for the 45-day AFX placement may vary according to school district and/or school alternative calendars.

The University of Alberta expects students in their AFX to:

• adhere to the New Professional code of Conduct at all times; link is on the manual

• provide the introductory form prior to the field experience;

• be present on all school days (AFX students are only allowed three days of unavoidable absence without jeopardizing their field experience);

Preparing for your Advanced Field Experience

The field experiences team has developed two publications to help you get ready for your upcoming AFX. It is important that you carefully read the two documents prepared for you. 

1. The Advanced Field Experience Manual  contains detailed information about expectations, requirements, and timelines for AFX. It is the main reference used by pre-service teachers, mentor teachers, and university facilitators. 

2. The Advanced Field Experience Guidebook for Pre-service Teachers was written specifically for AFX pre-service teachers as a companion to the manual. It provides advice, tips, information and reminders. 

Meet & Greet - Soon after placements are released, you will receive an email from your zone field experience associate (FEA) inviting you to a Zone Meet & Greet. Make every effort to attend! This is your opportunity to meet your FEA, your university facilitator (UF) and connect with fellow student teachers in your zone. This is also a great time to ask questions! Keep an eye on your email for that invitation. 

General Concerns

Pre-service teachers should begin by discussing the problem with their mentor teacher. If it cannot be resolved at that level:

• AFX students should make contact with their university facilitator. If the problem is still not satisfactorily resolved, the student teacher should then contact their zone field experience associate.  

• For all IFX students, your zone university facilitator associate is the primary contact.

Notification of Concern (NOC) 

Pre-service teachers are developing as professionals.  As such, individuals may require varying degrees and types of support to be successful in their field experience.  However, it is expected that pre-service teachers and mentor teachers discuss and analyze plans, lessons taught, teaching strategies, classroom management, etc. on a regular basis.  Occasionally, a pre-service teacher may not progress as expected and may fail to address the weaknesses in their performance as identified by their mentor teacher.  To clearly identify these concerns, a Notification of Concern should be issued.

A Notification of Concern (NOC) is a formal tool used to identify and emphasize areas requiring improvement and establishes a plan to deal with areas of significant weakness. Typically, the NOC is administered in cases where persistent problems have not been addressed, despite sufficient feedback from the mentor teacher and university facilitator.

While serious, the document is not intended to be punitive, and should focus on the improvements required to be successful. The document should identify:

1. The specific areas of practice that need to be dealt with.

2. A detailed plan for addressing the problem areas.

3. A description of what will be considered an acceptable level of improvement.

4. A target date for improvements (usually 3-5 days from issuance of NOC).

The mentor teacher usually initiates the NOC, with the support of the university facilitator (UF) as required. The UF and the mentor teacher should meet to issue the NOC to the pre-service teacher, The school coordinator and/or field experience associate may also be involved, if desired. The NOC is stored in the student’s file at the university, but does not become part of their permanent record.

If you do not satisfy the terms of the NOC in the prescribed period, various options can be considered including the issuance of a second NOC, the extension of the target date, course failure, or the early termination of the placement. In these cases, the mentor teacher should consult with the UF and/or FEA.

Termination Policy

While the vast majority of our students are successful in their field experience, we recognize that very occasionally a student’s involvement may in some way negatively impact the school community significantly enough that the placement should not continue. We respect that school principals must act in the best interest of their school communities and that they are able to unilaterally terminate a placement at their discretion.

Field Experience Intervention Policy

The Dean, or designate acting on behalf of the Dean, may immediately deny assignment of a student or withdraw a student from, or vary terms, conditions or site of a field experience placement if the Dean or designate has reasonable grounds to believe that this is necessary in order to protect the public interest.  Please refer to the Field Experience Intervention Policy for further information.

Appeals

Advice on the preparation and submission of appeals is available from the Director of Support, Undergraduate Student Services, Faculty of Education and from Student OmbudService.  

Please refer to the Academic Appeals Policy for further information.

Please visit  https://www.ualberta.ca/registrar/scholarships-awards-financial-support/undergraduate-awards/undergraduate-academic-scholarships.html site for information on applications, etc. 

The E. E. and G. S. Lord Memorial Prize is awarded annually to a student in the Faculty of Education who is recognized as an outstanding pre-service teacher in the advanced field experience  (AFX).

The Alberta Retired Teachers' Association (ARTA) Prize is awarded annually to a student who has completed an introductory field experience (IFX) in the Faculty of Education.

Placements

What is considered local Edmonton area?

40 kilometers from Edmonton city centre is considered a Local (Edmonton Area) placement. This includes Ardrossan, Beaumont, Devon, Fort Saskatchewan, Leduc, Morinville, St. Albert, Sherwood Park, Spruce Grove, and Stony Plain. 

Where can I do a regional placement?

Students are encouraged to apply for a regional placement. Generally, we can place students from anywhere in the province, provided the school teaches Alberta curricula and if a suitable mentor is available. 

What if you cannot place me in the regional areas that I requested. Could I be placed anywhere?

If it is not possible to place you in the regional town or city that you requested, the regional placement coordinator will contact you to discuss further options. If a suitable regional placement is not possible, you will be placed in the local Edmonton area.

What if I have a concern about where I am placed?

 If you have a concern about where you have been placed, please contact the elementary, secondary or regional placement coordinator within 2 business days after placement information is released. (edfx.elementary@ualberta.ca  /  edfx.secondary@ualberta.ca  /  edfx.regional@ualberta.ca) 

My placement is located on the other side of the city. Why couldn't I be placed closer to where I live?

Program match is the primary criterion for student teacher placement. Every effort is made to place pre-service teachers within a reasonable traveling distance from their place of residence. Based on available school sites this cannot be guaranteed. Paragraph (11) of 73.2.3 university calendar: "Access to transportation is not considered in making placements in the Edmonton area. Placements can be made anywhere in the Greater Edmonton area including Devon, Fort Saskatchewan, Leduc, Morinville, St. Albert, Sherwood Park, Spruce Grove, Stony Plain, Ardrossan, and Beaumont.

Can I request a specific school or teacher for my field experience?

We attempt to ensure a placement for the best possible field experience for our students by placing you only with mentor teachers recommended by their principal. Pre-service teachers MAY NOT and MUST NOT recruit/select their own school or mentor teacher. The field experience staff have the authority and responsibility for arranging all pre-service teaching placements. Note: A school principal may make a formal request for a particular individual pre-service teacher to be placed at their school using the Principal Request Form (deadlines apply).  

Are placements made on a ‘first come, first served’ basis?

No, we wait until the online registration closes before we start matching students to schools.

When and where will I find my field experience information?

Fall term placements are posted by the end of September. Winter term placements are posted by the end of January. At that time, students can access their placement information on campusBridge.

Can I trade placements with another student?

No. Pre-service teachers are placed with a great deal of effort according to established criteria. If you have a concern about where you have been placed, please follow the instructions in the placement information email. 

Registration

What if I cannot register in the classes linked to the field experience?

Contact Education Student Services for help from a student advisor.

When can I register, and what are the deadlines, to complete the online registration?

The campusBRIDGE registration is available in early April for the following fall and winter terms. The deadline to complete this information is usually the first week of September for the fall term and the third week of November for the winter term. 

What if I miss the deadline to complete the online registration?

As long as you are registered in an EDFX course, we will attempt to arrange a placement for you, but you will not be able to indicate any preferences. Email a placement coordinator for further information.

Field Experience

What is a Field Experience Associate (FEA)?

Field experiences associates are University of Alberta personnel (master teachers) who provide leadership and assist with coordinating field experiences.

How is the field experience course graded?

You will either receive credit (a CR notation) or will not receive credit (NC) on your transcript. There is no number or letter grade. You will also receive a written final assessment from your mentor teacher that you will use when applying for teaching positions. 

If I do a field experience in the winter, will I get the U of A reading week?

Please review the Dates by District document on the home page. During your field experience, you will follow the school’s calendar, not the university calendar. For example, if the school district has a fall or spring break during your placement, you will also have a break. If university reading week occurs during your placement, you will not get reading week. 

What are alternative calendar or year-round schools?

Several schools in the Edmonton area operate on an alternative calendar.  Placements for pre-service teachers assigned to one of these schools will be extended as required.

What happens when a substitute teacher replaces my mentor teacher?

Where the absence of the mentor teacher is likely to be of short duration, a substitute may fulfill the role of mentor teacher. If the absence is of a longer duration, the school coordinator and university facilitator or FEA should be involved in determining a course of action.

Who should I contact if I am experiencing a problem during the field experience?

Pre-service teachers should begin by discussing the problem with their mentor teacher. If it cannot be resolved at that level, they should make contact with their university facilitator or FEA. Refer to the Dealing with Issues section.

Who should I contact if I decide to withdraw from field experience?

If problems arise prior to or during the field experience that necessitate deletion or withdrawal from the EDFX course, please communicate this to your mentor teacher and university facilitator or FEA. Deleting or withdrawing  is completed on Beartracks. Refer to the Field Experience Dates document for deletion and withdrawal deadlines.