pre-student teaching seminar
admitted students
program portfolio guidelines

Pre-Student Teaching Seminar EDU 570/572
This course allows you to be involved in both group seminars and lectures, and a school-based observation/participation practicum experience.  This course is designed to prepare you for your practice teaching experience by providing you with the opportunity to learn:
  • the current and evolving reality of education in Ontario 
  • relevant knowledge and skills required for effective classroom teaching
To aspire to become an effective teacher is noble, yet highly demanding goal.  Your commitment to, and participation in this course will be vital in helping you attain your goal of becoming an effective teacher.

The seminar will be available in three locations:
  • St. Francis Xavier Secondary School
    50 Bristol Road West
    Mississauga, ON L5R 3K3

  • Toronto Catholic District School Board
    80 Sheppard Avenue East
    Toronto, ON M2N 6E8 

  • St. Mary's Catholic Secondary School
    200 Whitney Ave.
    Hamilton, ON L8S 2G8
Please note:  Before a candidate can work/volunteer/student teach in Ontario, a Criminal Record Check (CRC) must be completed.  It is advised that candidates begin this process during their first semester of study in order to complete prior to beginning field experiences which normally start during the second semester of study. 

Course Description
The students will be involved in twenty hours of class instruction and interactive sessions and 100 hours, on site, of observation/participation in an elementary or secondary classroom setting.  The In-School Observation Practicum will include planning and teaching two lessons under the direction of the classroom teacher.

Roles of a Student Involved in the Pre-Student Teaching Seminar
  1. Observe, participate and assist teacher(s) 
  2. Initiate individual personal contacts daily with the Cooperating Teacher and other staff members 
  3. Review assessment procedure/strategies:
    Correct assignments and check homework
    Evaluate students (as directed)
    Personalize feedback
    Record grades 
  4. Observe classroom management techniques 
  5. Observe discipline procedures 
  6. Discern various teaching styles 
  7. Visit:
    Guidance Counselors, Principal, Reading Specialist, ESL Specialist, Special Education Resource Teacher, Gifted Ed. Teacher, Resource Teacher, Media Center Specialist, Head Custodian, Cafeteria Manager, Special Class Teachers, Physical/Occupational Therapist, Computer Lab Teacher 
  8. Examine student and teacher materials (texts, notes, course profiles, workbooks and supplies) 
  9. Participate in teachers' meetings, extra-curricular activities, and parent conferences (as directed) 
  10. Prepare two lesson plans and teach the lessons created
    Generate interest, motivate and engage students
    Facilitate small groups
    Monitor students (as directed) 
  11. Assist special needs students (as directed) 
  12. Keep a journal of observations and activities 
  13. Keep a log of the hours/activities while at the school site
Course Syllabus Topics
  • Ontario Education Today 
  • Governance 
  • Professionalism 
  • Lesson Design and Planning 
  • Duties and Responsibilities of a Teacher 
  • Ontario Curriculum Policy, resources and supports 
  • Ontario College of Teachers 
  • Assessment and Evaluation 
  • Provincial Report Cards 
  • Special Education 
  • Classroom Strategies for students "At Risk" 
  • New Teacher Qualifying Test 
  • Interviews and Resume Writing 
  • Job Hunting 
  • Student Teaching Seminar
Adjunct Professors

Larry Anderson
Phone: 905-679-0570
E-mail: larry.anderson@sympatico.ca

  • Recently retired from the Ontario Ministry of Education, where he was Senior Manager with the Independent Learning Centre 
  • Developed paper-based and electronic distance learning programs at the elementary and secondary levels 
  • As a supervisory officer, he inspected several private schools in Ontario and other international countries 
  • Prior to joining the ministry, he was employed by the Peel District School Board as a teacher, assistant department head, and principal of night and summer school 
  • He taught mathematics and physics at four different secondary schools, including two years with the Department of National Defense in Germany
Michael Harding
Phone: 905-566-9314
E-mail: mdharding@sympatico.ca

  • Has 43 years of teaching experience, which include a career as a Principal, Vice Principal and Teacher in the Toronto and Dufferin-Peel Catholic School Systems 
  • Retired as Principal from the Dufferin-Peel Board in 1995 
  • Currently an Adjunct Professor and Supervisor of Student Teaching at Canisius College 
  • Founder and Director of "Stage Coach Theatre for Children," a Mississauga-based musical theatre program for children
Kevin O'Connor
Phone: 905-469-6766
E-mail: kevinpoconnor@cogeco.ca

  • Has been in Education for 40 years as a Teacher, Principal and Superintendent of Schools 
  • Since retiring from the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board in 2001, he has been an Adjunct Professor and Supervisor of Student Teaching at Canisius College 
  • Has taught at both Waterloo and York Universities 
  • For the last 10 years, he has served as the President and Chair of Curriculum Services Canada 
  • Over the past few years, he has been involved in writing programs for the Ontario Catholic Supervisory Officers and the Ontario College of Teachers
Terry O'Sullivan
Phone: 905-679-0570
E-mail: osullivt@canisius.edu
  • Has been in education for 33 years as a Teacher, Principal and Superintendent of Schools 
  • Has been a member of the planning and design team of two secondary schools 
  • Currently an Adjunct Professor and Supervisor of student teaching at Canisius 
  • From 2002-Present, he has worked under contract for the Council of Ontario Directors of Education preparing and presenting a document, "Classroom Management - A Guide for Principals to Support Teachers"