The Practicum Office is the main link between schools in Ontario and the Faculty of Education for the practical component of the Bachelor of/Diploma in Education program.
The Practicum Office Team obtains and monitors practicum placements (PRAC) for both the Undergraduate Concurrent and Final Year Concurrent/BEd/DEd programs.
Candidates in any of the education programs can find out about the PRAC courses and requirements in onQ in their enrolled PRAC course. Candidates must log on with their NetID and password.
If you experience any equity issues while on practicum or face challenges with your school placement or Associate Teacher, know that we are here to support you.
If you believe you are experiencing harassment or discrimination while on practicum:
Please see the Harassment and Discrimination Prevention and Response Policy for a definition of terms.
STEP 1: If possible, bring the issue to your associate teacher or faculty liaison. If Step 1 does not resolve the concern, then:
STEP 2: Contact the coordinator for your professional studies focus: PROF 410 (Andrea Martin) or PROF 411 (Stefan Merchant) Coordinator. If Step 2 does not resolve the concern, then:
STEP 3: Contact Stephen Sliwa, Executive Program Director, Teacher Education Program. If Step 3 does not resolve the concern, then:
STEP 4: Contact edudeans@queensu.ca to schedule a meeting with Associate Dean, Peter Chin. If Step 3 does not resolve the concern, then:
STEP 5: Reach out to the Queen’s Human Rights Advisory Service at hrights@queensu.ca to book an appointment with an advisor.
If you believe you are experiencing harassment or discrimination while on campus:
STEP 1: If possible, bring the issue to your professor or course instructor. If Step 1 does not resolve the concern, then:
STEP 2: Reach out to the relevant representatives at the Education Student Society (ESS) or Concurrent Education Students’ Society (CESA). If Step 2 does not resolve the concern, then:
STEP 3: Contact edudeans@queensu.ca to schedule a meeting with Associate Dean, Peter Chin. If Step 4 does not resolve the concern, then:
STEP 4: Reach out to the Queen’s Human Rights Advisory Service at hrights@queensu.ca to book an appointment with an advisor.
Other places to go for support:
- For EDI-related issues occurring between teacher candidates, please contact the Student Conduct Office.
- Sexual Violence Prevention & Response Services
- Student Wellness Services: same-day appointments are available directly through their website.
- Student groups at the Faculty: Genders and Sexualities Alliance and Teacher Candidates of Colour.
- Please see the Harassment and Discrimination Prevention and Response Policy for a definition of terms.
Undergraduate Concurrent Practicum Years 1-3
Role of Host Professional (Years 1-3)
Host professionals are essential to the successful education of our Concurrent Education candidates in years 1 and 2. Host professionals play a crucial role in helping shape candidates' professional attitudes and instructional approaches. They are exemplary role models and they set standards of excellence for candidates by demonstrating the care and competency that contribute to a productive learning environment for students.
Concurrent Education candidates complete a two-week (or equivalent) Experiences in Education placement in a non-traditional education setting in first year and a three-week (or equivalent) Experiences in Education placement (preferably in a different non-traditional setting) in second year. In first year, candidates mainly observe and assist the host professional in small group and one-on-one settings. In the second year, candidates must co-plan and co-teach three lessons related to the placement.
Role of Associate Teachers (Year 3)
Associate Teachers play a crucial role in helping shape candidates’ professional attitudes and instructional approaches. They are exemplary role models and they set standards of excellence for candidates by demonstrating the care and competency that contribute to a productive learning environment for students.
Concurrent Education candidates complete a three-week (or equivalent) Introduction to Schools placement for their third practicum. The third-year practicum days (equivalent of 15 days) along with all their practicum days in their final BEd year, will count toward their 80-day requirement for certification with the Ontario College of Teachers. Candidates must be placed in their appropriate division and/or teaching subject areas for this block.
Candidates are expected to co-plan and co-teach 5 lessons (preferably three of them consecutively) so the candidate can build on their strengths and make any necessary changes prior to co-teaching the next lesson.
Guidelines & Policies
- OTF Guidelines Regarding Harassment (PDF 195 KB)
- Ontario College of Teachers Professional Advisory on the Use of Electronic Communications and Social Media
- Professional Conduct, Professional Ethics, and Practice Teaching
Concurrent Education Placement Information Form
Letter to Placement Employers
The Government of Ontario student training programs requires each placement employer (school) to sign a declaration form regarding coverage under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act and fax a copy to the Practicum Office (Queen’s). Schools placing more than one candidate need only to sign one declaration form.
Some Ontario District School Boards have signed the Employer Letter on behalf of their schools and candidates will not have to take the Employer Letter to their school principal in these boards.
Assessments
Assessments for Concurrent Education candidates (Years 1 and 2) are different than the assessments for Final Year Concurrent Education and Consecutive Education teacher candidates. All practicum reports are completed and submitted online.
All hosts/associate teachers who are mentoring a Concurrent Education candidates will be provided the URL as well as the UserName and Password to access the practicum reports. If you do not receive the email, contact the Practicum Office.
Honoraria is not paid to host professionals taking Concurrent Education candidates completing their Experiences in Education placement in years 1 and 2. Although it is a mandatory part of the Concurrent Education Program, it is not a Ministry of Education requirement, but a programmatic requirement. It is not formally assessed, nor supervised by Faculty Liaison. Host teachers are eligible for a rebate on the tuition fee for an on-site or on-line AQ or ABQ course, or a Professional Learning Course. Please see below.
Honoraria is paid to Associate Teachers taking Concurrent Education candidates in their Introduction to Schools practicum in year 3 (PRAC 310/311). This three-week Introduction to Schools practicum, along with all practicum components in the Final Year BEd program, will count toward the practicum requirement for OCT certification. Information for Honoraria purposes is now part of the online summative assessment. You will be asked for your OCT number, date of birth and, home address as well as whether the candidate worked with any other teachers during their practicum.
Host Teacher Rebates on Continuing Education Courses
The Faculty is offering a $100 rebate on tuition fee for on-site or online AQ or ABQ course to Queen's Associate Teachers. To be eligible, you must have supervised a Queen's Undergraduate Concurrent Education candidate within the current year, or within the last three years. The rebate must be used within three years of the academic year in which you supervised a Teacher Candidate.
The Faculty is offering a $50 rebate on tuition fee for an online Professional Learning course. To be eligible, you must have supervised a Queen's Undergraduate Concurrent Education candidate within the current year, or within the last three years. Courses such as Brightspace (D2L) in the Classroom; Integrating iPads and Tablets in Teaching and Learning; Gamification in the Classroom; and Teaching the Digital Learner are now being offered through our Continuing Education department. The rebate must be used within three years of the academic year in which you supervised a Teacher Candidate.
Associate Teachers and Schools (BEd/DEd Program)
Over 1100 teachers at approximately 200 Associate Schools are essential to the successful education of our Teacher Candidates. Associate Teachers play a crucial role in helping shape Teacher Candidates' professional attitudes and instructional approaches. They are exemplary
role models and they set standards of excellence for Teacher Candidates by demonstrating the care and competency that contribute to a productive learning environment for students.
Teacher Candidates are assigned to schools as a part of a professional learning community. Each Associate School is assigned a Faculty Liaison. The Faculty Liaison teaches a professional learning course in the Fall and Winter terms. During the Fall and Winter term practicum, Teacher Candidates are expected to meet weekly in their Associate Schools and to report their discussions to their Faculty Liaison. The program fosters learning from experience as a basis for professional learning.
Consecutive BEd/DipEd candidates start in May and complete 18 weeks of regular in-school practicum and 3 weeks of alternative practicum. Final Year Concurrent candidates start in September and complete 15 weeks of regular in-school practicum and 3 weeks of alternative practicum.
As a general rule, teachers should have a minimum of two years of service before becoming an Associate Teacher and/or are eligible for NTIP. To become an Associate School, principals can contact the Practicum Office or contact their District School Board to indicate their interest in working with the Queen’s Faculty of Education program.
Thank you very much for your willingness to serve as an Associate Teacher. We depend very much on you to provide our Teacher Candidates with suitable types of experience as they prepare to enter the profession. We ask that you provide your Teacher Candidate with an appropriate balance of guidance in establishing their roots and freedom to test their wings.
Associated with the practicum is the course PROF 410/411 Theory and Professional Practice. Please assist your Teacher Candidate in arranging a teaching schedule that permits them to meet with other candidates in your school for 3 hours each week during school hours, over the three Fall and Winter practicum components. Each week, the candidates will be engaging in mandatory discussions and collaborative information gathering related to these courses. You will find the questions candidates use each week on our website: please feel comfortable sharing ideas with the candidate in your classroom.
Teacher Candidates should be encouraged to participate in a variety of professional activities beyond their classroom teaching. For release to attend workshops or conferences, we ask you to follow the same practice as for the permanent teaching staff.
The continued development of our program depends on the good will and professional support of many people. We welcome suggestions for improvement in the design of the program, in the ways in which we work together, and in this resource.
Please feel free to call on the Faculty Liaison assigned to your school to support your work.
Practicum Handbooks
The Practicum Handbook is a document that is updated annually, and serves to support teacher candidates, associate teachers, principals, and faculty liaisons in the BEd/DEd program, including Consecutive and Final Year Concurrent Education teacher candidates. This document is only valid for the year in which it is published.
The Candidate Placement Guide: PRAC 310/311 is a document that is updated annually, and serves to support Concurrent teacher candidates who are completing PRAC 310/311, normally in their third year of the Concurrent Education program, as well as associate teachers and principals. This document is only valid for the year in which it is published.
Guidelines & Policies
Assessments for Final Year Concurrent Education and Consecutive Education Teacher Candidates are different than the evaluations completed for Concurrent Education candidates in Years 1 and 2). The third practicum for Concurrent Education candidates now counts toward the mandatory teaching days for OCT certification. The assessment is very similar to the summative assessment for the Introduction to Schools assessment for the BEd program.
Teacher Candidates and Associate Teachers should approach the assessment based on reasonable expectations for a Teacher Candidate at each stage in their BEd/DEd year. Each practicum component is graded separately therefore, it is imperative that the online summative assessment be completed by the last day of the practicum block. It is important to discuss the assessment with the Teacher Candidate prior to submitting so there are no surprises once the candidate receives their copy.
Once completed online, the assessment will be verified by Practicum Office staff and a PDF version of the assessment will be emailed to the Teacher Candidate, Associate Teacher and Faculty Liaison.
During the second half of Fall practicum, as well as the Winter and Summer 2 practicum components, Associate Teachers complete an online Interim Formative report at the mid-point of each 4-week practicum. Once completed and submitted, a copy will be emailed to the Teacher Candidate, Faculty Liaison, as well as back to the Associate Teacher. The Interim Formative report gives as well as the Candidates' self-assessment is used as feedback to the candidate and Faculty Liaison, on how the candidate is progressing at the mid-point of the 4-week practicum components. It can also be used as a starting point for conversation regarding suggestions for improvement.
Practicum Assessments
Due dates for submission of the online assessments can be found in the Handbook and vary from year to year. The URL for the online assessments is emailed to Associate Teachers upon confirmation of placement.
Honoraria Requests
Associate teachers who mentor teacher candidates for practicum (excluding Alternative Practicum) receive an honorarium based on $40/per week/per candidate (pro-rated if a candidate works with more than one teacher during the same practicum component).
Information for payment of honoraria will be collected as part of the online form submission process. Associate teachers must complete the online form after each practicum they volunteer to mentor a teacher candidate. Associate teachers will be asked for their date of birth, home address, and OCT number.
If the total honoraria paid to an individual through the calendar year is $500 or over, a T4A must be issued which will require a SIN number. This will be requested on an individual basis. Honoraria will not be issued for release until a SIN is provided. Late submissions may move payment processing to the next block of practicum payments.
Honoraria for taking candidates in the Fall term will be paid in early Spring. Honoraria for taking candidates in the Winter term will be paid in late Spring. Honoraria for taking candidates in the Summer term will be paid in late Summer.
Please note that an honorarium is not issued for release until all host assessments are received. Late submissions may move payment processing to the next block of practicum payments.
Associate Teacher Rebates on Continuing Education Courses
Queen's University Faculty of Education is offering a $200 rebate toward tuition fees for an online AQ or ABQ course for Queen's Associate Teachers. To be eligible, you must have mentored a Queen's BEd/DEd teacher candidate. To sign up for the rebate, be sure to fill out the Associate Teacher section of the online application.
Queen's University Faculty of Education is offering some free professional learning courses. Courses such as Designing for Online Learning, How to Teach Online, and Introduction to Technology in Learning. To sign up visit CoursesforTeachers.ca/on and click on free professional learning.