I think that my Teacher Candidate has a learning disability. Does she/he have to disclose her/his disability to me in order for me to make accommodations for practicum? (±)
It is the student’s choice to disclose a learning disability. Once she/he has disclosed a learning disability to you, contact the Practicum Supervisor to discuss how to best support the Teacher Candidate through the placement.
I think that my Teacher Candidate has a mental health disability. How do I support them through practicum? (±)
It is the student’s choice to disclose a mental health disability. Once they have disclosed a mental health disability to you, contact the Practicum Supervisor to discuss how to best support the Teacher Candidate through the placement.
How do I determine between accommodations and modifications to the BEd program? (±)
The York Practicum Supervisor and/or Practicum Coordinator and/or Associate Dean will assist a Mentor Teacher in determining appropriate accommodations for a Teacher Candidate. Some examples of accommodation include:
- using assistive technology in lesson planning and delivery
- co-planning and co-teaching for a longer period of practicum until teacher candidates skill and confidence level is at an appropriate level for independent planning and teaching
- allowing for a longer practicum with a more graduated entry into independent teaching
- allowing for “mini breaks” between long periods of practicum
- deferring practicum until a future term or academic year
Sources
- Assisting Students with Disabilities: Faculty of Education York University, June 2006.
- Accommodating Students with Mental Health Disabilities in Classroom and Practicum Settings. Rosen, Vitali, M.Sc., RMFT. Presentation at Faculty of Education Course Directors' Meeting, York University, Toronto. April 2010.
- York University Counselling and Disability Services website: http://www.yorku.ca/cds/