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Nipissing in the News Roundup (July 6 to July 19, 2024)
ArticleWhether it’s providing expert commentary, leading groundbreaking research, or making a difference in the community, our students, faculty, staff and alumni are making headlines. -
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Degree Completion
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Nipissing in the News Roundup (July 20 to August 2, 2024)
ArticleWhether it’s providing expert commentary, leading groundbreaking research, or making a difference in the community, our students, faculty, staff and alumni are making headlines. -
Nipissing University's nursing grads shine in recent exam results
ArticleNipissing University has once again demonstrated the exceptional quality of its Nursing program, as evidenced by the latest report from the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO). The 2023 Nursing Registration Exams Report reveals that Nipissing's graduates have achieved impressive results, including a pass rate of 94.2%, underscoring the university’s commitment to excellence in nursing education. -
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Practicum and Community Leadership Experience
Practicum Overview
Over the course of the Bachelor of Education degree program, you will gain practical, hands-on experience through 19 weeks of practicum in a variety of Ontario classrooms. Whether you choose the primary/junior, junior/intermediate or intermediate/senior division, we will ensure that we provide you with placements that fulfill the requirements of your program and the requirements of the Ontario College of Teachers.
- Practicum Schedule
- Practicum School Boards
- Health, Safety and Police Check
- Practicum Handbooks
- Lesson Planning
BEd Practicum Schedule
The practicum is scheduled in blocks that are between 4-6 weeks in length over two years, giving you ample time to immerse yourself in varying classroom environments. Practicum experiences will be specific to your division and/or teaching subject requirements. The practicum requires your full-time commitment. Be prepared for early mornings and late evenings, as you assume all of the responsibilities of a teacher in, and out, of the classroom.
Classes on campus are not scheduled during practicum weeks, allowing you to focus on one thing at a time.
Explore School Boards used for Practicum
We are proud partners with 56 school boards across Ontario, including both Public and Catholic school boards. Teacher Candidates are assigned to a school board for all practicum within the academic year. Teacher Candidates entering year 2/6 of the BEd program, may choose complete their practicum in the same school board as year 1/5 or choose a different school board for practicum.
When completing your Practicum Registration form, please select your top three school board choices from this list. Please be aware that you may be required to provide a pastoral reference if assigned to a Catholic school board.
- Algoma District School Board
- Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Board
- Avon Maitland District School Board
- Bluewater District School Board
- Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board
- Bruce-Grey Catholic District School Board
- Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario
- District School Board of Niagara
- District School Board Ontario North East
- Dufferin Peel Catholic District School Board
- Durham Catholic District Board
- Durham District School Board
- Grand Erie District School Board
- Greater Essex County District School Board
- Halton Catholic District School Board
- Halton District School Board
- Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board
- Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board
- Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board
- Huron-Perth Catholic District School Board
- Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board
- Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board
- Keewatin-Patricia District School Board
- Lambton Kent District School Board
- Limestone District School Board
- London District Catholic School Board
- Near North District School Board
- Niagara Catholic District School Board
- Nipissing-Parry Sound Catholic District School Board
- Northeastern Catholic District School Board
- Ottawa-Carleton Catholic District School Board
- Ottawa-Carleton District School Board
- Peel District School Board
- Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board
- Rainbow District School Board
- Rainy River District School Board
- Renfrew County Catholic District School Board
- Renfrew County District School Board
- Superior North Catholic District School Board
- Simcoe County District School Board
- Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board
- St. Clair Catholic District School Board
- Sudbury Catholic District School Board
- Thames Valley District School Board
- The Northwest Catholic District School Board
- Toronto Catholic District School Board
- Toronto District School Board
- Trillium Lakelands District School Board
- Upper Canada District School Board
- Upper Grand District School Board
- Waterloo District Catholic School Board
- Waterloo Region District School Board
- Wellington Catholic District School Board
- Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board
- York Catholic District School Board
- York Region District School Board
Year 2/6 Teacher Candidates: They have the opportunity to choose to complete their winter practicum in one of alternative school settings on the list below. If you would like to complete placement in one of these locations, please indicate your interest under the Winter Practicum Option section of the Practicum Registration form. You must still provide three school board preferences from the school board list above when completing your form.
- Burkevale Protestant School, Penetanguishene
- Crescent School, Toronto
- Gakino'amaage: Teach for Canada, various northern communities
- Moose Factory Ministik School, Moose Factory
- Moosonee Public School, Moosonee
- Nbisiing Secondary School, North Bay
- Northern Lights Secondary School, Moosonee
- St. Andrews College, Aurora
- The Hill Academy, Caledon
- Wikwemikong Board of Education, Wikwemikong
Health and Safety Requirements
All Teacher Candidates in year 1/5 of the BEd program in September 2026 must complete and submit certificate of completion for Ministry of Labour Health and Safety and Concussion training to the Practicum Office no later than 4:30pm on Monday, September 14, 2026. CLICK HERE for full Health and Safety details.
All Teacher Candidates in year 2/6 of the BEd program in September 2026 must complete and submit a certificate of completion for the Ministry of Labour Health and Safety to the Practicum Office no later than 4:30pm on Friday, May 1, 2026. CLICK HERE for full Health and Safety details.
Failure to do so will result in a $75 late fee (per document) and the possible cancellation of the practicum. Cancelled practicum must be made up in its entirety and will be rescheduled at the discretion of the Practicum Office, causing a delay in program completion/graduation. An administrative fee may apply in these cases. Exceptions to the deadline will not be made.
Additional school board Health & Safety requirements will be posted in September to Blackboard.
Police Vulnerable Sector Check Requirements
All candidates entering years 1/5 or 2/6 of the BEd program in September 2026 must provide a Police Vulnerable Sector Check (PVSC) with an issue date of May 1, 2026 or later, to the Practicum Office no later than 4:30pm on Monday, September 14, 2026. Failure to do so will result in a $75 late fee and the possible cancellation of the practicum. Cancelled practicum must be made up in its entirety and will be rescheduled at the discretion of the Practicum Office, causing a delay in program completion/graduation. An administrative fee may apply in these cases. Exceptions to the deadline will not be made.
Year 1/5: CLICK HERE for full PVSC details
Year 2/6: CLICK HERE for full PVSC details
School board assignments will be confirmed in late June. Teacher Candidates assigned to Peel, Toronto or Toronto Catholic will be required to submit documentation directly to the school board office prior to placement. Complete instructions will be provided to you over the summer.
Practicum Handbook
As an associate member of the Ontario College of Teachers, you must accept the responsibilities assigned to you by the Schulich School of Education, your associate teachers, and your principals. Understanding your role and the role of others while on practicum is critical to your success in the BEd program. You are expected to thoroughly review the applicable handbook below, prior to participating in the practicum.
Lesson Planning Templates and Samples
Thorough planning is the key to delivering effective lessons to your learners. You are expected to complete detailed lesson plans, using the Nipissing University Lesson Plan Template, for every lesson you are responsible for teaching.
Teacher candidates in the Schulich School of Education are required to use the applicable Nipissing University Lesson Plan Template(s) below for all lessons as outlined in the Overall Expectations included in the applicable Practicum Handbook. Please note that a number of different Kindergarten lesson plan templates/exemplars are here being shared. Please consult with your Associate Teacher and/or your Faculty Advisor to see which Kindergarten plan would be most relevant to use for any particular instructional session.
Planning for Kindergarten
Planning for Grades 1-12
Kindergarten Resources
EDU Kindergarten Supports (Click Here)
TVO Lesson Resources, Kindergarten materials (Click here)
Lesson Plan Exemplars
- Kindergarten Exemplar 1
- Kindergarten Exemplar 2
- Kindergarten Inquiry Exemplar 1
- Kindergarten Inquiry Exemplar 2
- Grade 1 Math Exemplar
- Grade 1 Music Exemplar
- Grade 3 Language & Art Exemplar
- Grade 4 Social Studies Exemplar
- Grade 5 Language Exemplar
- Grade 5/6 Social Studies Exemplar (Combined Grades)
- Grade 7 Geography Exemplar
- Grade 8 Physical Education Exemplar
- Grade 10 Biology Exemplar
- Grade 12 FSL Exemplar
- Grade 12 Visual Arts Exemplar
Teacher candidates may consider transitioning to daybook planning as outlined in the Overall Expectations included in the applicable Practicum Handbook. Teacher candidates may wish to use these samples to guide their daybook planning:
Community Leadership Experience
In your second/sixth year, use the knowledge and skills you have acquired within the BEd program, in a 60-hour community leadership experience placement. Experiences have included placements in local organizations such as museums, outdoor education centres, correction centres, and private schools. Whether implementing existing programming or developing new and exciting programming for a community organization, this is your opportunity to explore the teaching and learning opportunities that exist outside of traditional classrooms.
Check Handbook below for more info:
Community Leadership Experience Handbook 2025/26
- Community Leadership Experience Placement Requirements
- Community Leadership Experience Placement Expectations
When considering a community leadership experience, teacher candidates must ensure it meets the following requirements:
- A minimum of 60 hours of service completed in year two/six of the BEd program
- The placement must have a connection to human development and service to the community.
- The placement must include a teaching/learning component where teaching skills can be applied.
- The placement must be unpaid
- The placement must be completed within Ontario
- Cannot be completed within Nipissing University
- The placement must not be completed within an organization where the teacher candidate has previously worked or volunteered
- The placement supervisor cannot be an immediate or close family member of the teacher candidate
- Placement hours must be arranged according to the needs of the organization and/or the site supervisor
- The placement may not be completed in a publicly funded school board
- The placement may be completed remotely, upon approval from the Practicum Office
During the placement teacher candidates will:
- Demonstrate professionalism in all aspects of the community experience according to the OCT Standards of Practice
- Apply course-based knowledge and skills in a non-traditional setting
- Engage in reflection as a means of improving teaching practice
- Interact appropriately with clients and co-workers
- Demonstrate commitment to professional growth through collaboration with site supervisor(s) and acceptance of varied responsibilities in a non-traditional teaching environment
See more about
Role of the
Associate TeacherLearn more about the role and responsibilities of the Associate Teacher and access valuable supportive documents and resources.
Associate Teacher
Incentive Program and AwardsIn an effort to recognize exemplary associate teachers, an Associate Teacher Award was established in 2013.
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Practicum Office
Program Overview
During your two-year Bachelor of Education program, you will gain practical experience with 19 weeks of hands-on practicum in diverse Ontario classrooms. Whether you specialize in primary/junior, junior/intermediate, or intermediate/senior divisions, we ensure placements meet both program and Ontario College of Teachers' requirements.
In your second year, apply your acquired skills in a 60-hour community leadership experience, exploring education in such settings as museums, outdoor education centers, and correctional facilities. This is an unique opportunity to not only experience new ways of teaching and learning but to also gain experience investigating particular areas of interest such as coaching, special education, curriculum design, languages, and literacy, beyond traditional classrooms and within a community setting.
For inquiries, contact the Practicum Office (A207) at ptoffice@nipissingu.ca or 705-474-3450 ext. 4555.
Learn more about Practicum
Learn more about Associate Teachers
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Associate Teachers
Who is an Associate Teacher?
Associate teachers play a crucial role in modeling teaching excellence and professionalism. Mentoring teacher candidates is rewarding yet requires significant commitment. The Schulich School of Education values associate teachers for guiding candidates through planning, implementation, and providing essential feedback. This sets the stage for their growth as educators.
Preparing for a successful practicum experience with your teacher candidate is pivotal. Whether it's your first or tenth time hosting from the Schulich School of Education, understanding our expectations and roles is key. We offer resources to aid your preparation for welcoming a teacher candidate into your classroom.
Resources for Associate Teachers
Frequent Q&A
See more about
Associate Teacher Incentive Program and Awards
In an effort to recognize exemplary associate teachers, an Associate Teacher Award was established in 2013.
Nipissing University AQ/ABQ Courses
The Schulich School of Education at Nipissing University provides in-service education courses for teachers including: Additional Qualification (AQ) courses and Additional Basic Qualification (ABQ) courses.
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Associate Teacher Incentive Program & Awards
Associate Teacher Incentive Program
Associate Teacher Award
The Schulich School of Education appreciates the vital role that associate teachers play in modeling excellence in teaching and professionalism. While mentoring teacher candidates is a rewarding experience, it is also a tremendous commitment and responsibility. In an effort to recognize exemplary associate teachers, an Associate Teacher Award was established in 2013. Each year, four teachers are selected by the Practicum Committee to receive this award. For the 2024/25 academic year, six associate teachers have been awarded the Associate Teacher Award.
2024-2025 Award Winner
After an overwhelming of nominations submitted by teacher candidate, the Practicum Committee selected the following nominees to receive the Associate Teacher Award:
- Nathan MacLean(Near North District School Board)
- Caitlin Briggs (The Hill Academy)
- Jill Benforte (Greater Essex County District School Board)
- Alison Sinclair (Ottawa Carleton District School Board)
- Jessica Smith (Waterloo Region District School Board)
- Meena Johal ( Halton District School Board)
On June 16, 2025, Dr. Kristen Ferguson, Associate Dean of Education (Interim), Dr. Todd Horton, Chair of Education, and Sandra Minor, Practicum Officer, had the pleasure of meeting with Nathan MacLean at Northern Secondary School, to present him with his Associate Teacher Award. This was Nathan's first year to accept a teacher candidate and he was very humbled and appreciative of the recognition. The year one teacher candidate who nominated Nathan, described how Nathan made them feel like a part of his classroom and the broader school community. Nathan's focus on positive mentorship helped his teacher candidate believe in themself and helped to solidify their decision to pursue a career in teaching. It is associate teachers, such as Nathan MacLean, who exemplify the positive impact they can have on aspiring teachers, providing a space for a teacher candidate to explore, challenge themself, and gain an enriched understanding and appreciation of their role as a future classroom teacher.
See more about
Become an Associate Teacher
Learn more about responsibilities and requirements to become an associate teacher.
Practicum I & II
Learn how you will gain practical, hands-on experience through 19 weeks of practicum in a variety of Ontario classrooms.
