FAQs
- What are the guidelines for student teachers in relation to confidentiality?
- What are the expectations in relation to student teachers’ work and family commitments during practicum?
- Can I invite a student teacher to attend our class camp, other EOTC experience or school event?
- What are the guidelines for resolving concerns during practicum?
- What are the guidelines for student teachers uploading videos and photographs of our students?
- Who is responsible for managing effective relationships during practicum?
What are the guidelines for student teachers in relation to confidentiality?
Student teachers should be professional, demonstrate ethical behaviour and preserve confidence at all times. Specific reference is made to the New Zealand Education Council’s Graduating Teacher Standards and Code of Ethics for Certificated Teachers in on-campus sessions and practicum documentation for all practicum courses.
What are the expectations in relation to student teachers’ work and family commitments during practicum?
All student teachers are advised that they will be expected to maintain professional school hours as a teacher, and that work, family and other commitments must be managed so that they are free to commit fully to the practicum. Student teachers are given sufficient notification of practicum dates so that arrangements can be made. Attendance concessions are not given, and leave is not granted, to attend work-related commitments.
Can I invite a student teacher to attend our class camp, other EOTC experience or school event?
Attending class camp, other EOTC experiences and school events can greatly enrich a student teacher’s learning about becoming a teacher. These are also ideal opportunities for a student teacher to give something back to the school. Invitations to participate in such events are usually welcomed by student teachers.
Student teachers are counted as adult helpers and not as teaching staff. Attendance at camp should not incur cost for the student or faculty.
When camp/an event occurs during university semester time a student teacher’s non-attendance at other course lectures/sessions or to their course commitments/deadlines because of practicum-related activities is not sanctioned.
When camp/events occur during practicum they usually add to the student teacher’s opportunity to achieve success against the learning outcomes. Negotiation in relation to this opportunity (for example, meeting full-class responsibility requirements) is sometimes necessary.
What are the guidelines for resolving concerns during practicum?
In the first instance the concern should be raised with the person involved. There are guidelines for resolving concerns during practicum on p. 11 of the Practicum Handbook and your student teacher is expected to be familiar with these (refer http://www.education.auckland.ac.nz/uoa/primary-resources)
What are the guidelines for student teachers uploading videos and photographs of our students?
Student teachers are instructed to follow the individual school guidelines in regard to publication of any nature. Permission must be obtained to collect all records, including photographs and videos.
Who is responsible for managing effective relationships during practicum?
Everyone involved in the practicum is responsible for managing effective relationships. During practicum courses student teachers consider the myriad of relationships that they will be involved with during practicum and in their role as a teacher. Their responsibility for these relationships is emphasised. Student teachers often become aware of the similarities of, and difference between, professional friendships and personal friendships for the first time during practicum, and they can require guidance and support with their appreciation of this.
The associate teacher’s role is to support, guide and monitor the professional relationships which the student teacher develops in the school (for example, with him/her, the children in the class, parents and whānau, school leadership, other staff in the school, other student teachers).
Effective professional relationships during practicum should include the professional supervisor. Regular contact between the associate teacher, student teacher and professional supervisor via email can help facilitate effective communication.
Beginning teacher independence in demonstrating responsibility for professional relationships is required to achieve Learning Outcome 1 for EDPRAC 305. EDPRAC 101 and 201 each provide important stages of development for this.