Serving as a Partner Teacher

Quick links on this page

How to express your interest ... We have different processes based on your role and location
   Quick link: Calgary & Area Expression of Interest Form
Our Partner Teacher requirements ...  Expectations and eligibility
Important considerations for Partner Teachers .. Caveats and processes we want to highlight 
Partner Teacher Timelines ... What to expect after you sign up

Other pages to review

Partner Teacher overview ... General information
About the our Field Experiences ... Learn more about the format and commitment for each Field Experience.
Access our Partner Teacher Expression of Interest form ... If you are an in-service teacher in Calgary & Area, we encourage you to complete our Partner Teacher Expression of Interest form. 

Your Role as a Partner Teacher

The Partner Teacher is the classroom teacher who works closely with one or more Pre-service Teachers, opens their professional life to the student, and very gradually increases the Pre-service Teacher's involvement in classroom curriculum, learning, and activities. We would be happy to share our Comprehensive Handbook, which outlines your role in full. To request a copy, please reach out to upefield@ucalgary.ca 

For more information about our Field Experiences, from a partner teacher perspective, click here. 

We are now recruiting Partner Teachers and Schools!

If you are interested in mentoring a Pre-Service Teacher from the Werklund School of Education, we would be delighted to include you in our Partner Teacher Roster! We are now working with School Principals and Liaisons to recruit supportive Schools and Partner Teachers for the upcoming academic year.

If you are interested in signing up as a partner teacher or host school, we encourage you to express your interest!

Calgary & Area Schools: 

We rely on our Partner Teacher roster when matching pre-service teachers with schools and partner teachers. Each year, have over 1,300 placements in Calgary and area! Note: We ask all teachers also speak with their school administration team before submitting this form. 

  • To express your interest and support: Teachers, Principals and School Liaisons are invited to email us or complete our Expression of Interest Form! 

Rural & Remote Schools in Western Canada: 

Our community-based placements are coordinated through your school district offices. Each year, have over 300 placements in rural & remote western Canada! 

  • To express your interest and support: Principals and School Liaisons are encouraged to work with their school district. If you are teacher, please let your Principal know you are interested in serving as a Partner Teacher to a pre-service teacher from the Werklund School of Education. 
Quick Link: Calgary & Area Expression of Interest Form Quick Link: Field Experience Information including dates

Partner Teacher Requirements

  • We require the full support of School Principal, Liaison and School Board to place a pre-service teacher
  • A minimum of a Bachelor of Education degree, or its equivalent, as approved by the Minister of Education, and a Permanent Teaching Certificate (or the support of your School Leadership Team)
  • A minimum of three years of successful teaching
  • An interest in, and a positive attitude toward, teaching and working with university students
  • Ability to effectively discuss teaching and learning
  • Ability to establish and maintain good interpersonal skills and apply proactive communication skills
  • A willingness to assist student teachers throughout their field experience, by providing in-class demonstrations of more effective teaching strategies
  • A willingness to continue his/her professional development and to take part in consultations, meetings and workshops related to the field experiences
  • Ability to project a favorable image of the profession

Important Considerations for Partner Teachers

We will confirm your teaching assignment and availability

  • Before we place a pre-service teacher with you, we confirm your teaching assignment details with you and your School Principal.

We will confirm the placement has been approved

  • We also confirm we have the full support of the Partner Teacher, School Principal, Liaisons and School Boards to consider placing a pre-service teacher with each Partner Teacher.

We cannot guarantee you will be matched with a pre-service teacher

  • If we successfully matched you with a pre-service teacher, we anticipate confirming those details with you and your School Administration team approximately one month before the Field Experience begins. Unfortunately, we are not always able to find a suitable match for all our placements and partner teachers. Please know we will do our very best – we are very thankful so many Partner Teachers are interested in mentoring a pre-service teacher from the Werklund School of Education.

What to expect after you you are added to our Partner Teacher Roster

The UPE Field Experience team will connect with a number of times throughout the year. When you are serving as a Partner Teacher, you will also be in regular contact with the Field Instructor allocated to your pre-service teacher. 

Key dates: 

  • If we have matched you with a Field Experience III/IV pre-service teacher, we will let you know in late September.
  • If we have matched you with a Field Experience II pre-service teacher, we will let you know in February.
Month Partner Teacher Timeline
May

We begin to recruit partner teachers and schools for Field Experience I, Field Experience II and Field Experience III/IV. 
June

If you have added your name to the Partner Teacher Roster, we work with your School Principal, Liaisons and School Board to ensure we have their support to match you with a Pre-Service Teacher.  We will also reach out to all Partner Teachers on our roster, to confirm availability, interest, teaching assignment and school support.
July & August

 We hope our Partner Teachers have a restful and restorative summer. We will be working on placement matches, and are available all summer if you have any questions! 
September

We reconfirm Partner Teacher availability, interest, teaching assignment and school support.

Placement Details: If we successfully match you with a Field Experience III/IV pre-service teacher, we will reach out with placement details in late September!
October

If your school is hosting a cohort of Field Experience I pre-service teachers, they will attend in mid-October for a two-week observational placement. 

If we have matched you with a Field Experience III/IV pre-service teacher, we will connect you with the Field Instructor and pre-service teacher in advance of the practicum. If we were not able to successfully match you with a Field Experience III/ IV pre-service teacher, we will reach out to let you know ... and ask if you would be interested in supporting Field Experience II. If you are, we will prioritize you when placing our Field II pre-service teachers.
November

Field Experience III begins in early November, and is a 6-week placement.
December

​​Field Experience III wraps up in late December. You will submit your Partner Teacher Narrative Assessment. 

We will reach out to all Partner Teachers on our Field Experience II roster, to reconfirm availability, interest, teaching assignment and school support.
January

If you have been matched with a Field Experience III/IV pre-service teacher, we will reach out to formally confirm the placement is continuing on.
February

Field Experience IV begins in mid-February, and is an 8-week placement.

Placement Details: If we successfully match you with a Field Experience II pre-service teacher, we will reach out with placement details! 
March

Field Experience IV continues on. It is an 8-week practicum scheduled within an 11-week span, to allow for Spring Break and Teachers' Convention. 

If we have matched you with a Field Experience II pre-service teacher, we will connect you with the Field Instructor and pre-service teacher in advance of the practicum.

Field Experience II begins in mid-March, and is a 4-week placement. Field II is a 4-week practicum scheduled within a 7-week span, to allow for Spring Break and Teachers' Convention. 
April

By the end of April, Field Experience II and Field Experience IV are complete. You will submit your Partner Teacher Narrative Assessment.  Thank you to all the Partner Teachers and Schools! 

 

Connect with the UPE Field Experience Team