Practicum Information

Faculty of Education 2012-2013

Please read the information below then complete and submit the electronic Photo/Video Release form, Candidate Background Information form, and Practicum Arrangement form.

These forms must be submitted to the Practicum Office, Faculty of Education, Queen’s University, by April 20, 2012. The form can only be submitted once. If for any reason, a change or addition needs to be made to this information, you must contact the Practicum Office by email at practicum.office@queensu.ca. Be sure to read the Police Record check information carefully.

Format

September 4, 2012 : Registration, education photos, plenary sessions (mandatory attendance) (September 3 - Labour Day)
September 5 – October 5, 2012 : Classes begin (23 days)
Teacher Candidates attend classes and prepare for the start of practicum. Courses in Theory and Professional Practice, Critical Issues and Policies in Education, as well as Curriculum courses will be introduced.
October 9 – 26, 2012 : First Practicum Block-Part 1 (14 days) (Oct. 8 - Thanksgiving)
Teacher Candidates start the first part of the fall practicum block. Both parts of the first practicum block are completed with the same Associate Teacher. Only candidates in the Outdoor & Experiential Education Program (separate admission requirement) will get experience in both teaching subjects or divisions in the fall term. During the practicum there are some assignments for curriculum courses, and candidates work on the two field-based courses PROF 190/191 and PROF 100/101.
October 29 – November 30, 2012 : on-campus weeks (25 days)
Continuation of classes.
December 3 – December 21, 2012 : First Practicum Block-Part 2 (15 days)
Teacher Candidates return to the same Associate Teacher for the remainder of the teaching block.
January 7 – February 8, 2013 : Winter term begins (classes - 25 days)
Winter Term classes.
February 11 – March 8, 2013 : Second Practicum Block (19 days) (February 18 - Family Day)
Candidates normally return to Associate School to complete the second teaching block.
March 11 – 28, 2013 : Alternative Practicum (14 days) (Includes March Break; March 29 - Good Friday)
Candidates complete the Alternative Practicum in a setting that relates to their FOCI course. Consecutive PJ candidates who do not choose a FOCI course are automatically enrolled in FOCI 000 so they can be assigned an advisor. The topic of exploration for candidates in FOCI 000 should be consistent with your EDST course, your FOUN course, or a topic addressed in PROF 190 or PROF 155.
April 1 – 26, 2013 : Classes resume (20 days)
Culmination of classes.

Practicum Placement Process

Under no circumstance are teacher candidates allowed to arrange their own practicum. Candidates are placed in identified Associate Schools within the listed District School Boards.

Identifying Associate Schools

· The Practicum Office works with representatives from District School Boards in a specific catchment area, to identify schools to partner with our BEd program as Associate Schools. (District School Boards working with Queen's Faculty of Education are listed below as well as on the maps.) Some District School Boards take in a large geographic area so candidates should be aware that placements could be made in any of the Associate Schools within the district board. Travel and accommodation is the responsibiliy of Teacher Candidates.

Identifying Candidate Preferences

· Teacher Candidates are asked to identify (in order of preference) four of the District School Boards listed where they could complete their practicum. Normally, candidates will be placed in one Associate School for both practicum blocks (10 weeks of practicum). Candidates can be more specific about the area within the boards they have chosen (e.g., east, west, etc.) in the "Board Notes" field. This will not guarantee a placement in that area of the board. The Board Notes will not be taken into consideration for the Limestone District School Board.

Matching Process

· Based on candidate information, school information, and assigned course weight of each Faculty Liaison, the Practicum Office then tries to match candidates with identified Associate Schools. The process starts with placing candidates with special circumstances (e.g., medical, single parent, childcare). When placing the remaining candidates, many variables are taken into consideration (e.g., board choices in order of preference, subject discipline availability in secondary schools, school preference for maximum allotment of candidates, maximum allotment of candidates per Faculty Liaison). The BEd program at Queen's is based on an Associate School model and Candidates are placed in cohorts of 3 or more in each Associate School.
 
· The Practicum Office does their best to accommodate first choices; however, there is no guarantee the practicum will be made in any of the four choices. Teacher Candidates will be contacted for additional input if no placement can be found in the initial four choices.
 
· Candidates are asked to identify the secondary school in which they graduated (if in Ontario).
 
· Candidates are asked to identify any schools within the four chosen boards in which there may be a conflict of interest (e.g., school attended by candidate's children, school in which a close relative teaches, school in which the candidate has been a volunteer).

Intermediate-Senior Placements

·Where possible, Intermediate-Senior candidates will be placed in their first teaching subject for block one (Part 1 and 2). Block two will be completed in the teaching subject not covered in block one.

Primary-Junior Placements

·Primary-Junior candidates are placed in one division (primary, junior, or intermediate) for block one (Part 1 and 2). Block two will be in a division not covered in block one. Primary-Junior candidates will get experience in two divisions.
 
· Primary-Junior candidates will not be placed for a full block in a specialized classroom (e.g. French Immersion or Special Education). Candidates can complete a half-day in a specialized classroom, during the second block.

Outdoor and Experiential Education Candidate Placements

· Candidates in the Outdoor and Experiential Education Program (special program track with a different application process) are placed in either both subjects (IS) or two divisions (PJ) in the fall term. Candidates will be placed with Ontario Certified Teachers in an Ontario Outdoor or Experiential Education setting for winter term practicum block (P2).

Catholic School Placements

· Some Catholic District School Boards require evidence of Catholic faith to request a practicum in their board. This is indicated on the list of District School Boards. If a Catholic District School Board is listed as a choice, it will be assumed the candidate is comfortable teaching in the Catholic school system. The Practicum Office will try to accommodate Catholic School Board first choice requests but it is not guaranteed. Teacher Candidates who do not choose a Catholic District School Board will not be placed in a Catholic school. Non-Catholic Teacher Candidates have had successful placements in Catholic schools. DO NOT ask for a Catholic school board if you do not want your practicum placement in a Catholic school.

Additional Information

· The Practicum Office is aware that changes in Teacher Candidates' lives cannot be predicted; however, once a placement has been made, it will only be changed under dire circumstances. The information you give on this form must be as accurate as possible, with as much information that will help the Practicum Office as necessary. Please indicate below if there are special needs of which the Practicum Office needs to be aware (e.g., single parent, medical condition, child-care responsibilities, married candidate, varsity athlete, applicable disability registered with Queen's Disability Services that may require special accommodation for the practicum). Lack of a vehicle, care of pets, etc. do not fall under special circumstances.

Background Information Form

· Be brief but informative. You are allotted 1500 characters including spaces for each question (anything beyond 1500 characters will be cut off, possibly affecting the information you are trying to convey). It is recommended that a minimum of four to five sentences be used in questions 1 and 2, as principals and liaisons want to know about the candidates they are accepting as guests in their schools. Choose your words carefully as placements have been won and lost based on the content of the background form.

Candidates with Special Needs

· Queen's University is committed to facilitating the integration of students with disabilities into the University community. While all students must satisfy the essential requirements of courses and programs, the administration, faculty, staff, and students at Queen's are expected to provide reasonable accommodation to exercise creativity and flexibility in responding to the needs of students with disabilities while maintaining academic standards. We encourage candidates to contact Queen's Disability Services:
LaSalle Building
146 Stuart Street
613-533-5467
TTY 613-533-6566

Vulnerable Sector Police Record Checks

· All District School Boards require a Police Record Check that includes a Vulnerable Sector Screening prior to starting any practicum placements. Please read carefully the Police Check section of the Practicum Office website for details.

Queen's email

· Teacher Candidates in the Queen's BEd/DipEd program will have their Queen's email address distributed to school administration and other persons directly involved in any of their practicum placements.

Deadlines and Important Dates

· On-line Practicum Registration Due Date April 20, 2012
 
·Information regarding the practicum placement will be emailed to your @queensu.ca address by mid-July. Activate this account as soon as possible. Make note on the bottom of the on-line Practicum Registration form of any special circumstances that need to be taken into consideration.

District School Boards used by the Faculty of Education, Queen’s University

Public District School Boards

Catholic District School Boards

Private Schools (for Intermediate-Senior candidates only)

Please note: For security reasons, once you begin the online process, it must be finished completely. You will not be able to return to the form.
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