North Option, 2011 – 2012

Primary/Junior/Intermediate

The North Option is a partnership involving the Toronto District School Board, the York Region School Board and the Toronto Catholic District School Board. These partners work collaboratively to develop and implement a cohesive and integrated program in teacher education. Teacher candidates in the program participate in extensive opportunities to develop competence in program outcomes that are based on the Ontario College of Teachers (OCT) Standards of Practice for the Teaching Profession.

Program Description

The teacher candidates participate in a set of integrated courses designed to broaden and deepen their development as teachers. As well as developing knowledge and skills to be effective classroom teachers, the program has been designed to enable teacher candidates to experience how both school and classroom learning communities are developed and sustained. Teacher candidates participate in teaching and learning activities that model collaboration, promote effective communication, encourage reflective practice and facilitate problem solving and critical thinking. Most of the North Option classes are held off-site at C.H. Best P.S. in the north end of TDSB (Dufferin & Finch). Some classes are held at OISE, 252 Bloor Street West.

Major Projects

• Teacher candidates develop a Professional Portfolio - a collection of work with reflections that demonstrates growth relevant to the OCT Standards of Practice for the Teaching Profession and articulates their personal philosophy of teaching and learning.
• Teacher candidates investigate and compile a major Diversity Among Learners project.
• Student-led Mini-Seminars allow teacher candidates to explore contemporary issues and curriculum contexts of education. Working in small groups, candidates identify seminar topics, facilitate computer conference discussions, and prepare short in-class learning experiences on their topic.
• Teacher candidates develop and implement an Integrated Unit of Study. In collaboration with their Associate Teacher, they will design a unit of study for their second practicum experience and deliver it during their second teaching block.

Practicum Experiences

Over the course of the program, teacher candidates complete extensive days in practicum experiences. This includes diversity of experience in two schools through two four week practica and the school internship, as well as transition periods (for practicum planning) leading up to practicum blocks in those schools. The teacher candidates experience the beginning of the school year through participation in schools during the first week of school. A collaborative practicum evaluation process is used to support the professional growth of the teacher candidates and includes the input of all stakeholders. Access to a vehicle is recommended.

Special Foci

• Integration of Theory And Practice: Candidates are introduced to a variety of instructional strategies, processes and techniques to broaden their teaching repertoire and make their students’ learning experiences more meaningful, authentic and concrete. A special focus on reflective practice will tie this all together.
• Technology: Technology is introduced and used in an integrated way throughout the program. Instruction is augmented via on-line discussion and students are introduced to computer-assisted education techniques. Students are required to participate in on-line buddy journaling with a peer through the year.
• Known as The Learning Community, the North Option offers an environment where candidates support, encourage and facilitate the learning of their peers in a cooperative, collaborative classroom atmosphere.
• All About Me Picture Book project: Candidates will create their own picture book as a representation of who they are, to celebrate the diversity among us and to explore literacy development in a concrete, meaningful and practical process.

Further Info

Contact: Julia Arnold or Mindy Pollishuke

Special Features: Primary/Junior; Junior/Intermediate. An off-site program. Classes are held at C.H. Best P.S. and OISE. A typical non-practicum week will involve two days of classes at C.H. Best, two days of classes at OISE/UT, and one day of pre-practicum observation and learning in the practicum classroom.

Location of Practice Teaching Schools: Toronto District School Board, Toronto Catholic District School Board, York Region District School Board – most partnership schools are in the former North York, Etobicoke, Scarborough and southern York Region.