Practicum Experiences
Laurier’s BEd program is based on a Professional Development School (PDS) model which affords Teacher Candidates the opportunity to establish close, personal, and interactive professional relationships with school personnel and communities. TCs continually integrate the theory they learn in their university classes with the teaching experiences of their placements.
Our program is designed in recognition of Teacher Candidates’ need to learn from expert teachers in field-based experiences. Practicum placements are required by provincial legislation though Regulation 283/13.
The practicum experience is designed to assist you in accomplishing the following:
- Forging connections between theory and practice;
- Integrating and applying knowledge;
- Applying knowledge and skills from academic course work to meet the needs of diverse learners within the socio-cultural context of the classroom; and
- Working collaboratively with other professionals to improve student learning.
Laurier’s two-year program includes a total of approximately 115 days of practical experience. This amount is above the provincial requirement of 80 days by the Ontario College of Teachers.
All Primary/Junior TCs will be assigned to both primary and junior classrooms for their practicum experiences. All Junior/Intermediate TCs will have at least one junior placement and at least one intermediate placement in their teachable subject area.
A police record check with vulnerable sector screening is a requirement in order to fulfill the practicum component of the Bachelor of Education program.
You must apply for a vulnerable sector check through your local police service.
Some police services (including Ontario Provincial Police) require a letter from the Faculty of Education in order to process the request for a vulnerable sector check. You can find a template of a letter to use for this under the resources tab in Navigator.
Teacher Candidates must bring the original to the Faculty on the “Introduction to the Teaching Profession Day” in September. Some records are electronic only and can be shown to the Faculty on a device. Paper originals will also be accepted.
The record check must have been issued no more than 6 months before the start of the program. If there are any convictions noted on the record check, it will be up to each individual school board as to whether a teacher candidate will be allowed to participate in a practicum in one of their schools. If a Teacher Candidate is not able to enter a school for this reason, they will be unable to complete program requirements and will be required to withdraw from the program.
In Year 1, TCs are assigned to one PDS site for their practica (EU455A°, EU455B°) – one in the Fall and one in the Winter term. Each practica includes a three-week block and corresponding weekly practicum Mondays.
In Year 1 of the program, TCs will spend approximately 49 days in their PDS sites during the two practica. Being associated with one school for eight months will allow you to build collaborative professional relationships that will prepare you for effective integration into the broader education community of practice.
At the end of Year One, TCs will also complete a required two-week Alternative Placement (EU452). If you prefer, you may complete the Alternative Placement in 60 hours over the course of Term 1 and 2. You will work in a voluntary capacity in various contexts where learning takes place, outside of their PDS sites, or may take advantage of international teaching opportunities.
The Alternative Placement is a required non-credit course within the Bachelor of Education program. Successful completion of this 60-hour placement is required for progression to Year 2 of the program.
In Year 2, TCs are assigned to a different PDS site for their school experience, and will again have two placements in that school – one in the Fall and one in the Winter terms. The fall Year 2 practicum (EU455C°) includes a three-week block and nine weekly practicum days. In the winter term of Year 2, TCs will complete an eight-week block practicum and 4 corresponding weekly practicum days (EU455D° or EU455E°). In Year 2 of the program, TCs will spend approximately 68 days in their PDS sites.