Distant & "Alternative" Placements

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Take note: Applications for Distant Placements are now closed for this academic year, applications for Winter 2025 open in June 2024.

 

Take note: Distant and "alternative" placements are only possible for B.Ed. 4th Field Experience. In some cases, "alternative" placements can be done for the 2nd Field Experience. MATL students can only do an Internship at an Adult Education setting for their 2nd Internship.

Distant and "alternative" placements are enriching and challenging experiences, however, they should only be undertaken by Student Teachers who have conducted a thorough assessment of their own strengths and weaknesses, and are prepared for the unique challenges and opportunities. In general, Student Teachers who are successful in undertaking a distant or "alternative" placement are: 

  • Proactive, resourceful, independent, and enjoy new experiences; capable of identifying goals and making concrete plans to achieve them
  • Mature, have sound judgment, and can adjust expectations; experienced in managing complex and/or stressful situations 
  • Comfortable being separated from support networks (e.g. friends, family, routine, etc.); comfortable with ICT (e.g. Zoom, Skype, Dropbox, etc.) 
  • Prepared to experience differences in communication and cultural "norms" (if travelling abroad) 

Prior to considering a distant or "alternative" placement, Student Teachers should conduct a thorough self-assessment to evaluate whether or not they believe that they possess these key qualities. 

Students should consult the details below and, if necessary, contact their Placement Coordinator for more details. 


 

Alternative Placements

"Alternative" placements (i.e. non-mainstream) encompass a wide range of opportunities (including adult education and outreach/"specific need" schools).

These type of placements are only arranged by the ISA.

 

Application Deadline for FE2 Summer 2024: Friday, February 16th 

 

Eligibility

  1. Minimum CGPA of 3.00
  2. Strong evaluation reports in previous Field Experiences (consistent marks of 'Proficient' or 'Exceeding')
  3. See table below for program and placement eligibility

How to Apply

  1. Indicate your interest in doing an alternative placement in the "Comments" section of your placement form.

  2. Email placements.education [at] mcgill.ca with the following criteria:

    • short personal statement (outlining reasons for applying and suitability)
    • Current CV (FE4 and IN2 applications only)

All placement requests are subject to availability at the host board/school and final approval for all alternative opportunities lies with the ISA Manager.  You may also be asked to interview at the school.

The usual professional competencies and assessment forms apply to Alternative Placements; however, Supervisors and Co-operating Teachers are advised to consider the unique contexts of these placements during evaluations.

Opportunities

TYPE SCHOOLS / SCHOOL BOARDS ELIGIBLE PROGRAMS ELIGIBILE PLACEMENTS
Adult Education

Including (but not limited to), EMSB Adult Education CentresPlace Cartier Adult Education CentrePACC Adult Education

NOTE: Students in the B.Ed. and MATL Secondary ELA and Math programs may be placed in Adult Education Centre placements, even if not specifically requested.

B.Ed. Secondary

B.Ed. TESL

MATL

B.Ed. FE2 & FE4

MATL IN2

Work-Oriented Training Path (WOTP) Prework Training This path is intended to give students practical training for the workplace, while pursuing general education adapted to their needs. The purpose of Prework Training to prepare students for the demands of life in society and the world of work. Available at EMSB and LBPSB.

B. Ed. Secondary

B.Ed. FE2 & FE4
Outreach/"Specific Need" Including (but not limited to), EMSB Outreach Schools (Perspectives, Options, Focus, etc.) B.Ed. Secondary B.Ed. FE2 & FE4
Special Needs Including (but not limited to), EMSB Special Needs Schools and Giant Steps School, or Alternative Learning Programs in a mainstream school (e.g. PCHS) B.Ed. K/Elem, Secondary, Music, Phys. Ed.

B.Ed. FE2 & FE4

*placements may be exceptionally permitted for FE3 on a case-by-case basis, at the discretion of the ISA Director, provided the student has significant experience in this setting and there is a strong argument for doing their FE3 in an alternative school.

Jewish General Hospital

Psychiatry Unit's Day School Program
Involves working with patients/pupils in a multi-disciplinary team; patients/pupils will eventually be re-integrated into their regular school. More information about this program is available by clicking here and here. 

B.Ed. K/Elem

*Bilingual preferred*

B.Ed. FE2 & FE4

 

Distant Placements

Placements outside of Greater Montreal (i.e. within Quebec, within Canada, or internationally) are possible for B.Ed. 4th Field Experience students (not for MATL). Distant placements may either be organized by the ISA Office (through partnered placements) or be self-directed (i.e. arranged/organized entirely by the Student Teacher). See below for further details on distant placement options.
 

Distant Placement Options

Student teachers interested in undergoing a Distant Placement for FE4 have two options available to them:

1) Partnered Placements: These distant placement opportunities are arranged by ISA with partners in and out of McGill. For these placements, accommodations and travel may be provided, and may be organized for you by the ISA office. These opportunities require less organization and arrangements on the part of student teachers, and involve established relationships with external partners. Take note that some partnered placements do not offer accommodations or travel, and may need to be covered by the student teacher.

2) Self-Directed: Self-Directed placements are independently organized by the student teacher, but are always subject to final approval by the ISA office. Such placement opportunities are entirely self-organized (finding and finalizing a host school placement) and self-funded (travel, accommodations, etc.). The ISA does not coordinate self-directed placements, but are available to students for support and guidance as needed. Self-directed placements are a great opportunity to return to your hometown or explore a new location.


Eligibility

  1. Minimum CGPA of 3.00
  2. Strong evaluation reports in previous Field Experiences (consistent marks of 'Proficient' or 'Exceeding'), in particular FE3
    • Students who are doing FE3 after the application deadline (i.e. doing FE3 in Fall and FE4 the following Winter) will receive tentative acceptances, contingent on their FE3 evaluations. Priority may be given during selection to applicants who have already completed FE3 by the application deadline.
  3. Valid passport (if travelling outside of Canada)
  4. B.Ed. Student doing 4th Field Experience (FE4) 

 

How to Apply

Partnered Placements

Students who wish to seek out a placement with a partnered school will have their placements arranged by the ISA office. To apply, please review the following:

  1. Ensure you meet the eligibility criteria (see above)
  2. Complete the "Distance Opportunity Request - FE4" webform by the stated deadline. You will be asked to upload your:
    • 1 page letter of intent (outlining reasons for applying and suitability)
    • Current CV
  3. Attend an interview with the ISA Manager (scheduled after the application deadline) and other parties, as required
     

Self-Directed Distant Placements

Students who wish to seek out a self-directed distant placement for B.Ed. 4th Field Experience must handle all aspects of coordination; however, as with all placements, final approval rests with the ISA Manager. Take important note: Self-Directed Distant Placements can only be your 1st choice when applying!

 

All placement requests are subject to availability at the host board/school and final approval for all distant opportunities lies with the ISA Manager.
 

Click here for a comprehensive list of all Distant Placement opportunities.

 

 

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