Photo Credit : Shuana Niessen
Front ( L-R ) Jerry Orban , Manager , Student Placements and Field Experiences and Dr . Xia Ji , newly appointed Director of Professional Development and Field Experiences , and Louise Laverdiere , Assistant to the Director .
P R O f E S S I O N a l D e v e lO P M E N t a N D f I E l d E x P E R I E N c E S
isn ’ t quite taking their internship seriously , and so on .
By Shuana Niessen
Internship Seminars
One of seven internship seminars was held August 18 - 20 at the Faculty of Education for a group of fourth-year students who are interning in schools for 16 weeks in the fall term . Internship seminar is where students and cooperating teachers meet , usually for the first time . The seminar facilitates the development of a collaborative and respectful working relationship between students and their cooperating teachers ..
At the seminar assembly , a variety of scenes were role played to show how issues can arise during the internship : the overworked , exploited intern ; the intern who
Dr . Xia Ji , the newly appointed Director of Student Placements and Field Experiences participated in the seminar this year . She replaces Dr . Twyla Salm , who has diligently directed the Professional Development and Field Experiences ( PD & FE ) office over the past 7 years . Manager , Jerry Orban and Assistant to the Director , Louise Laverdiere , also work throughout the year to ensure all students have placements .
Working Out Expectations at Internship Seminar
During the seminar , interns and cooperating teachers could be found in every nook and cranny of the Faculty of Education . As Teacher Cathy Truong discusses plans with Intern Kristen Lowe , she comments , “ This seminar is really helpful and valuable .” Intern Kristen Lowe agrees , “ I feel really lucky to be participating in this seminar .”
Intern Kristen Lowe and Cooperating Teacher , Cathy Truong
As interns and cooperating teachers work together , some of their discussions are focused around the Internship Placement Profile ( IPP ) evaluation sheet , which lists qualities , skills , and competencies necessary for preservice teachers to develop personally and professionally throughout their internship and program . Further , Lowe says , “ Going through this list helps to establish expectations for the internship .”
Using a template , interns and cooperating teachers also develop a contract together . Orban says ,
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