Home > Internship > Consecutive 1-Year > General Internship Information > Internship faqs
- Can I complete my Internship placement at one of my Practicum schools?
- Can J/I Teacher Candidates complete the Internship in a secondary school? Can I/S Teacher Candidates complete their Internship in the J/I division of an elementary school?
- Can I start my Internship before the official start date?
- Can I complete my internship at more than one Site?
- Can I change my mind after I agree to an Internship?
- Do I have to meet all five Standards of Practice for the Teaching Profession?
- During my Internship, can I take a course for credit or certification, or engage in an activity related to fulfilling another academic program requirement for my Internship?
- How can we ensure that Teacher Candidates are not used as supply teachers
- What happens to a Teacher Candidate who has not successfully completed all of the Practicum requirements?
- Can I do my Internship at a site where there are family members present (e.g., at my child's school)?
- Can a family member/close friend supervise my Internship?
- If I have to start my Internship late due to the completion of Practicum make-up days, who will inform the Internship Site of the changes to my Internship days?
- Will the Teacher Candidate have to make up days missed due to illness or emergency?
- What if a Teacher Candidate experiences difficulties during the Internship?
- What happens if a Teacher Candidate received a grade of "unsuccessful"?
- How many hours must I complete during my Internship?
1. Can I complete my Internship placement at one of my Practicum schools?
An important criteria for the Internship is that it provides the Teacher Candidate with a new learning opportunity. If you would like to do your Internship at one of your practicum schools, then please ensure the Internship involves a new opportunity at the school.
2. Can J/I Teacher Candidates complete the Internship in a secondary school? Can I/S Teacher Candidates complete their Internship in the J/I division of an elementary school?
Yes. Teacher Candidates may move up or down one division (e.g., from I/S to J/I; not I/S to P/J). A change of two divisions or levels must be approved by the Option Coordinator in Elementary or by the TES instructor in Secondary before a Teacher Candidate approaches an Internship site.
3. Can I start my Internship before the official start date?
No. It was a purposeful decision to create a one-week break between OISE classes ending in April, and the Internship beginning. This week provides time for Teacher Candidates to finish assignments and have a break before beginning another intensive field experience. Also, OISE Advisors need this week after the completion of classes to evaluate assignments and compile and submit grades.
4. Can I complete my internship at more than one Site?
No. Although your Internship can be comprised of several different activities, it has to be completed at one Site. The exception to this is an Internship that has been negotiated with one Site Supervisor that involves visiting more than one location, e.g., doing an Internship with a guidance counsellor who works in more than one school.
5. Can I change my mind after I agree to an Internship?
No. Once the Action Plan Agreement has been signed, it is not possible to change an Internship site. OISE recognizes that a Teacher Candidate's professional interests and needs will further develop after the completion of the Action Plan Agreement and prior to the beginning of the Internship, but the Action Plan Agreement is a professional contract, and OISE maintains a very strict policy in this regard.
6. Do I have to meet all five Standards of Practice for the Teaching Profession?
No. But your Internship needs to connect with a minimum of three of the Standards of Practice.
7. During my Internship, can I take a course for credit or certification, or engage in an activity related to fulfilling another academic program requirement for my Internship?
No. You are not able to pursue another credit or certification as part of your Internship. Nor are you able to combine your Internship with activities that fulfill another academic program requirement.
8. How can we ensure that Teacher Candidates are not used as supply teachers?
Only teachers, as defined in the Education Act, can be assigned to a class. Since Teacher Candidates are not yet members of the Ontario College of Teachers, and they do not fall within the definition of "teacher" in the Education Act, they cannot therefore, be assigned as a classroom teacher. The Board is responsible to ensure that it is in compliance with the Act with respect to assigning qualified teachers. In addition, boards must be mindful of liability and the expectations of faculties of education.
9. What happens to a Teacher Candidate who has not successfully completed all of the Practicum requirements?
Only Teacher Candidates who have passed both Practicum sessions may begin the Internship. Make-up sessions for completion of the Practicum requirements and the rescheduling of the Internship are arranged by SUPO and the Academic Internship Coordinator.
10. Can I do my Internship at a site where there are family members present (e.g., at my child's school)?
No. Due to a potential conflict of interest, Internships cannot be completed at a site where there are family members present.
11. Can a family member/close friend supervise my Internship?
No. Due to a potential conflict of interest, Internships cannot be completed under the supervision of a family member or close friend.
12. If I have to start my Internship late due to the completion of Practicum make-up days, who will inform the Internship Site of the changes to my Internship days?
The communication of a date change to a Site Supervisor is determined by both the Teacher Candidate and the Academic Internship Coordinator.
13. Will the Teacher Candidate have to make up days missed due to illness or emergency?
Please refer to Attendance in Practicum Procedure. Attendance during the Internship is mandatory. In the case of illness or emergency, a Teacher Candidate must contact the Site Supervisor, and e-mail the OISE Advisor. Appropriate documentation must be provided for absences of three or more consecutive days. Frequent single-day absences will be monitored by both SUPO and the OISE Advisor. All absences should be noted on the Journal Tracking Form. Failure to follow this policy could jeopardize the Teacher Candidate’s convocation in June.
14. What if a Teacher Candidate experiences difficulties during the Internship?
It is important that Teacher Candidates maintain regular communication with their OISE Advisor. If the Teacher Candidate and the Site Supervisor cannot resolve a problem, the Teacher Candidate or the Site Supervisor should notify the OISE Advisor immediately in order to receive assistance. The Academic Internship Coordinator is available to assist when necessary. It is not our policy to reassign Teacher Candidates during their Internship, for we regard the resolution of problems as an opportunity for personal and professional development. Reassignment would take place if circumstances are considered irresolvable, and would be coordinated by the Academic Internship Coordinator.
15. What happens if a Teacher Candidate received a grade of "unsuccessful"?
Subject to review and approval by the Dean’s Review Committee, one opportunity will be provided to complete a make-up Internship. Successful completion of the Internship is a prerequisite for graduation of the B.Ed. and Diploma in Technological Education Programs.
16. How many hours must I complete during my Internship?
As previously mentioned a day of Internship activities should reflect the equivalent of a full working day.