IMPORTANT MESSAGE - All Professional Program Students

Forwarded on behalf of Dr. Michael Hoechsmann and Dr. Don Kerr.

See below.

This message is going out to all of our Professional Program students, in Thunder Bay and Orillia.

Folks:

Given the uncertainty and stress that the rapidly changing situation is creating for everyone, combined with the University’s announcement encouraging students to travel home, and the fact that it looks increasingly unlikely that schools in the province will open on 6^th April:

We are CANCELLING the March/April practicum.

We hope this makes it easier for everyone to plan.

Please read the following carefully, because there are several important details that you need to be aware of:

We will replace the March/April practicum with an assignment. We are presently revising the assignment to ensure it supports new learning and reflection in a way that is meaningful. We will send out the assignment on Monday, 23^rd March, with a due date of 23^rd April.

For Year 2 Teacher Candidates

If you are up to date on all of your coursework, your first three practica were successful, and you fulfill the requirements of this assignment: 

1. You will have met all of our program requirements, and you will graduate on time; and, 

2. You will have met all of the University’s requirements in order to be recommended to the Ontario College of Teachers. The College’s requirement of the provincial Math Proficiency Test will still need to be met, in order to be certified by the College.

For Year 1 Teacher Candidates

Most of you have completed up to 30 days of practicum this year. Once you successfully complete this assignment, you will only be required to make up the remaining practicum days next year, except to account for any missed days.

An unfortunate outcome of the situation this year is that we will have to cancel the alternative practica next year, including International placements. Candidates will need to complete two placements next year in regular Ontario classroom settings in order to meet the Faculty’s program requirements, for certification by the Ontario College of Teachers.

General Information for All Teacher Candidates

Candidates who have already failed/deferred a practicum, or who have practicum days to make up, will still need to make up this time.

For those candidates living away from home, if you wish to travel home for the remainder of the term, you are welcome to do so. Know that you need to be in regular contact with your FA, and be able to receive emails and directions from them.

Any Maple Leaf candidates who are trying to return home at this time should contact Lakehead International, for support where needed.

You will be expected to access resources online in order to complete the assignment well. We are working with the librarians to ensure library resources are available at a distance. If completing the assignment online is an issue because of internet connectivity, computer availability, or some other reason, please notify your FA immediately.

If you self-declare that you are unwell during the time allotted to complete the assignment, as per university policy on other course and program work, your assignment may receive a mark of INC. You would then have to complete your work by the end of the next (Spring) term.

These decisions reflect our interest in prioritizing your health and well-being. We know you would rather be practice teaching in schools. We hope this decision helps to bring some certainty to you for the next month or so, and allows you to plan.

Thank you for your calm and patience as we all work to deal with the current situation. Wash your hands, and look after yourselves and your loved ones.

From:

Don Kerr and Michael Hoechsmann

Chairs, Undergraduate Programs in Thunder Bay and Orillia