At Tyndale, the practicum days involve classroom observation, participation, and practice teaching. These practicum days are strategically interspersed throughout the program, to strengthen the theory-practice interconnections that link courses and practical application. Observe and learn from in-service teachers, and build your understanding of the Ontario education system, as you are immersed in the teaching profession.

Tyndale is committed to making all reasonable efforts to secure practicum placements for teacher candidates enrolled in its education program. Tyndale has a high placement success rate achieved through its strong partnerships with Ontario school boards across various districts. Acceptance into a practicum placement is governed solely by the policies and procedures of the host school board. School boards retain full discretion to accept, reject, or withdraw a teacher candidate from a placement at any time. Tyndale University does not have authority over school board placement decisions and cannot compel any school board to accept or retain a candidate, nor to change or dictate conditions of their acceptance.

Components

You will complete three distinct practicum placements in three different educational settings throughout the program. One placement will be arranged for each of your grade divisions.

• Primary/Junior Teacher Candidates in the Focus on Teaching French as a Second Language program will be assigned at least one practicum that includes the teaching of Core French, Extended French, or French Immersion.
• Junior/Intermediate Teacher Candidates will have at least one placement that includes a focus on their teachable subject.

During each placement, you will learn from and collaborate with an OCT-certified host teacher in a school setting that teaches the Ontario Curriculum.

Each practicum placement has an Observation/Participation Phase and a Practice Teaching Phase. Using a gradual release of responsibility structure, you will move from Observation and Participation to co-planning and a teaching partnership with the host teacher, first in the areas of language and math, and eventually, in all the curricular areas.

Placement Arrangements

The first two practicum placements take place in one of nine public and Catholic school boards in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area. In the third practicum, Teacher Candidates may decide to:

• Apply to complete Practicum 3 in a private, alternative, French language, or faith-based school.
• Apply to the Northern Placement Option, and complete three weeks of your teaching block in a First Nations community in northern Ontario.

Teacher candidates are expected to comply with all school board requirements, including but not limited to background checks, health and safety protocols, and professional conduct standards. Failure to meet school board requirements may result in a candidate being ineligible for placement or removed from a placement.

Tyndale is committed to fulfilling its duty to accommodate candidates with disabilities to the point of undue hardship. While school boards retain full discretion and ultimate decision-making authority with respect to the placement process and conditions, candidates who require accommodation with respect to the process are encouraged to contact the Tyndale accessibility office for assistance. As appropriate, Tyndale will make reasonable efforts within its control to support candidates in raising and addressing accommodation matters and potential barriers to accessibility with school boards.