The changing reality of Canadian society and its large urban communities, point to the urgency to have teacher candidates understand the complexities of the communities that students come from, as well as the many factors that impact upon learning and school experience. To respond to this challenge, the Faculty of Education requires first year teacher candidates to engage in an inquiry process that will help them learn and reflect about this reality. This process is supported by two foundation courses: Inquiries into Learning and Inquiries into Schooling and by a Practicum Seminar entitled "Studies in Communities and Their Schools: Field Work Seminar." The Faculty of Education hopes that through Field Experience Placements connected to the Practicum Seminar, teacher candidates will encounter opportunities to articulate and examine their own assumptions as learners and consider other perspectives in learning.
Teacher candidates are required to have a 50 hour field experience placement with a community organization or education related NGO during their first year.
Through participation in appropriate activities designed by the organizations, teacher candidates not only support the organizations, but are provided with opportunities to gain insight into the kinds of learning and advocacy that contribute to the well being of our society.
Here are a few examples of some of the community placements that first year teacher candidates in the concurrent program participate in.
Basketball Beginnings is committed to raising the level of basketball play and promoting the awareness of the sport in Ontario. Partnering with social organizations that work within organized structures to bring communities together, Basketball Beginnings also identifies and builds common goals with young people.
York Teacher Candidates (TCs) work with grades 3 – 5 students who attend a sport-specific Skills and Homework program. They are required to assist children with homework, to recognize and assist children in areas of difficulty, assess individual students and implement new learning strategies that may benefit each child. TCs also participate with the children during the sports program; monitor behavioural patterns and areas of social difficulties; and monitor the progress of each child through the completion of written observations.
Located in downtown Toronto directly south of Trinity Parks and Recreation Centre and Trinity Bellwoods Park, TYPE books offers a range of programs and events designed to appeal to its diverse community. In its lower gallery authors launch their books and artists display their work. TYPE hosts discussion groups, story telling for children, book making workshops, language programs and reading circles. One of its programs, Word-Play, encourages children from the local elementary schools to enjoy reading and improve their literacy skills. Older students are recruited from middle and secondary schools to serve as mentors for the younger children.
With guidance and support from Word-Play's volunteer steering committee, York Teacher Candidates develop and lead a program for approximately fifteen primary school children eight to ten years of age who have been identified by the local schools as 'reluctant readers'. The program will be varied—reading, writing, playing games, and drawing. TCs take a hands-on approach that helps create an environment where learning through reading and related activities is associated with enjoyment.
The Riverwood Conservancy is responsible for the delivery of educational programs at the City of Mississauga Riverwood Park. The park consists of 150 acres of "urban wilderness". On it can be found heritage buildings dating from the mid 1800's, stands of uncut forest, deer, owls and other wildlife. The Credit River runs through the property. Large runs of salmon and rainbow trout occur there every year.
The outdoor education programs at Riverwood reflect the Ontario Ministry of Education Guidelines for grades 1-8 Science and Geography. York Teacher Candidates assist in experiential science activities in an outdoor setting coupled with laboratory studies in the MacEwan Field Station. TCs also assist the Riverwood teacher in delivery of natural science programs for grades 1-8.