Professional Teaching Orientation

Note: Professional Teaching Orientation is a mandatory part of the Bachelor of Education (BEd) program. 

Teacher Candidates (TCs) attend Professional Teaching Orientation (EU453), which occurs during the week before the first semester of classes begins. Professional Teaching Orientation is designed to help TCs become familiar with the Laurier Faculty of Education and the Professional Development School (PDS) site in which they will be working and learning over the course of their program. TCs have an opportunity to meet and participate in team-building activities with faculty and other TCs, and learn about library, technology and other resources available to them through Laurier. Normally, special presentations related to current trends in education are also scheduled.

TCs are introduced to key structures and components of the Laurier program that facilitate learning for both them and for their students. TCs become familiar with the goals, purposes and procedures related to the PDS sites, the Learning Cohort, the Professional Learning Seminar, and the range of required field experiences. They are introduced to the four themes of learner-, knowledge-, assessment- and community-centeredness that intersect all course and field work and become familiar with the themes' roles in helping them create coherence among these various experiences. They will also attend sessions related to professional responsibilities of teachers, workplace safety and academic integrity.

As part of Professional Teaching Orientation, TCs are introduced to their assigned PDS site. Ideally, they spend one day at the site before school starts, familiarizing themselves with staff, basic school policies and procedures, and learning about how schools and teachers prepare for the arrival of students in September.

Attendance at the Professional Teaching Orientation (EU453) is mandatory for BEd students and attendance will be taken each day.

Schedule for 2020/21

Year One Students

• Mandatory Professional Teaching Orientation (EU453): Aug. 31, Sept. 1, Sept. 2, 2020
• Attend PDS schools: Sept. 3, 2020
• Classes start: Sept. 4, 2020

Year Two Students

• Mandatory Professional Teaching Orientation (EU453): Sept. 2, 2020
• Attend PDS schools: Sept. 3, 2020
• Classes start: Sept. 4, 2020
• Professional Teaching Transition (EU454): April 26 to 30, 2021