Regional Option, 2011 – 2012

Primary/Junior/Intermediate

The Regional Option is field-based with approximately 60 P/J/I students. We enjoy a collegial partnership with the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board and the Peel District School Board. This partnership benefits the teacher candidates, the teachers, and the students in participating schools. The faculty team maintains ongoing communication with principals and associate teachers from all participating schools. The faculty team also offers in-service workshops and demonstrations for teaching staff, parents, and students.

Classes are held at St. Roch C.H.S. in Brampton and on the downtown campus of OISE. Our off-site campus enables us to work collaboratively in a school setting with experienced educators, children and school administrators throughout the year. Prior to the student teaching placement, teacher candidates attend their practicum schools for one day each week in the STEP program. Students will experience two practicum placements in different schools and an internship in a self-chosen placement.

Program Description

In our option, we view teacher candidates as builders of meanings. Throughout the program, we encourage students to think critically about the teaching/learning process and educational and societal issues relating to elementary education in Ontario. We want our teacher candidates to see themselves as change agents for tomorrow’s schools, and therefore we promote learner-centered and reflective practices.

Major Projects

The faculty team, associate teachers, and teacher candidates engage in various classroom-based projects including the creation of a cross-curricular unit and the development of a professional portfolio. The assignments are blended across program courses in order to integrate Ministry curricula and develop effective teaching skills.

Practicum Experiences

The field practicum is made up of a weekly field component (STEP) that culminates in a large block of practice teaching. Classroom experiences with children, along with required courses, serve as the “theory and practice of teaching.” In order to help students make connections between these components, each teacher candidate is assigned to a faculty advisor. Faculty advisors visit teacher candidates in their field placement, counsel, advocate, and most of all, listen to questions and concerns. They also help celebrate successes and address challenges.

Special Focus

There are many areas of emphasis in our program, but there is a special focus on critical thinking as it relates to both teaching strategies and curriculum design. Teacher candidates are introduced to the many ways in which the arts, literature, technology, problem solving and critical thinking can be integrated across various Ministry curricula.

Further Info

Contact: Cathy Marks Krpan or Rochelle Rabinowicz

Special Features: Primary/Junior; Junior/Intermediate. An off-site program. Two to three days a week at St. Roch C.H.S. in Brampton. Access to a car is strongly recommended for participation in the Regional Option.

Location of Practice Teaching Schools: Dufferin-Peel Catholic Schools (Mississauga and Brampton); Peel District School Board Schools (Mississauga and Brampton).
Note: A car is a requirement for this option in order to get to your practicum schools, as they are not accessible by public transportation.