Practicum Placements and Alternative Field Experiences - Practical Handbook - Revised 07.05.24

Sep 24, 2026

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Practical Handbook for Teacher Candidates outlines practicum placements and Alternative Field Experiences within Western University’s initial teacher education program. It explains how candidates progress from directed to self-directed learning through instruction and experiential components, including three assigned practice teaching blocks, written evaluations, and mandated placement regulations. It also covers Transition to Professional Practice (T2P), role expectations for teacher candidates and associate teachers, practicum team functions, and faculty policies supporting professional practice and certification.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryPresentations

FormatPDF

Pages56

Reading Time20 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction to Teacher Education Program

Introduction to Practicum

Practicum Processes

Associate Teacher Responsibilities

Alternative Field Experiences (AFE)

Innovation in Education

Professional Practice Record

Transition to Professional Practice (T2P)

Faculty of Education Policies

Appendix 1 – Teacher Candidate Practicum Agreement

Appendix 2 – Mentorship Agreement

Transforming Education. Transforming Lives. Practical Handbook Practicum Placements and Alternative Field Experiences A Guide for Teacher Candidates, Associate Teachers, School Administrators, Alternative Field Experience Supervisors Faculty of Education, Western University 1137 Western Road, London, ON N6G 1G7 Revised 07.05.24 | | PAGE | | --- | --- | | Introduction to Teacher Education Program | 3 | | Teacher Education Team | 4 | | Expectations of Teacher Candidates | 5 | | Introduction to Practicum | 7 | | Practicum Processes | 8 | | Associate Teacher Responsibilities | 14 | | When a Teacher Candidate is in difficulty | 17 | | The Practicum Team | 20 | | Alternative Field Experiences (AFE) | 21 | | Innovation in Education | 23 | | Professional Practice Record | 24 | | Transition to Professional Practice (T2P) | 25 | | Faculty of Education Policies | 26 | | Glossary | 28 | | Appendix 1 – Teacher Candidate Practicum Agreement | 30 | | Appendix 2 – Mentorship Agreement | 31 | | Appendix 3 – Teacher Candidate Contact Information | 33 | | Appendix 4 – Practicum and Academic Schedule at a glance | 34 | | Appendix 5 – Attendance on Practicum | 35 | | Appendix 6 – In Place How To Guides | 36 | | Appendix 7 – Practicum Weekly Expectations | 43 | | Appendix 8 – Sample of Practicum report | 47 | | Appendix 9 – School Board Placement Locations | 51 | | Appendix 10 – Golden Nuggets | 53 | | Appendix 11 – Alphabet Soup for Teacher Candidates | 55 | | Appendix 12 – Alphabet Soup for Associate Teachers | 56 | | | | Welcome to the Faculty of Education, Western University! This handbook has been developed to provide you with an overview of the practical components of our initial teacher education program and is shared with Teacher Candidates, Associate Teachers, School Administrators and AFE Supervisors. The initial Teacher Education Program is designed to help candidates move from directed learning towards self-directed learning. The practical components of the program will support the instructional work at the faculty, helping candidates to become more intentional in their learning, while at the same time, consolidating their experiences. Western’s initial teacher education preparation program consists of Instruction and Experiential components. The instruction includes common courses, division level courses (Primary/Junior – PJ; Junior/Intermediate – JI; Intermediate/Senior – IS) and specialty courses and electives. The instructional courses are scheduled over 4 terms. Term 1 and Term 2 are onsite, at the Faculty of Education. Term 3 and Term 4 will be held virtually. The experiential components include: • Practicum: The Teacher Education office will assign candidates THREE practice teaching blocks in assigned schools, during the program. At the end of each practicum, the Associate Teacher prepares a written evaluation. The Teacher Education office is responsible for the placement of candidates in a practicum setting. The faculty has partnerships with over forty school boards and the Teacher Ed office collaborates with our school board partners – according to their placement processes. Candidates select their school board of choice but are NOT to find their own practicum placements. Practicum experiences are regulated by the Ontario College of Teachers’ requirements for practicum. • Alternative Field Experiences: These are intended as opportunities for Teacher Candidates to enrich their knowledge of the broader community through educational field placements. AFEs do not have to be completed in a traditional classroom setting; TCs are encouraged to consider working with unfamiliar grades/subjects (Ontario K-12 or other curriculum), with school resource personnel or specialist teachers, or in non-profit/community organizations. Experiencing other aspects of the education-and youth support-system will allow TCs to better support their future students. • Transition to Professional Practice: Mandatory presenta

FAQs

How are teacher candidates assigned practicum placements?

The Teacher Education office assigns candidates THREE practice teaching blocks in assigned schools and is responsible for placement. Candidates select a preferred school board but are not to find their own practicum placements.

What are Alternative Field Experiences (AFE) and what do they cover?

AFEs are educational field placements intended to enrich teacher candidates’ knowledge of the broader community. They may occur outside a traditional classroom, including work with unfamiliar grades/subjects, school resource personnel, specialist teachers, or non-profit/community organizations.

What is Transition to Professional Practice (T2P)?

T2P includes mandatory presentations, workshops, and professional development series. It supplements coursework by providing additional knowledge and skills needed to enter the teaching profession.

Sep 24, 2026

Upload by Liam