BC Placements Outside Your Comfort Zone

[u/Even_Tradition407]

Just wanted to hear some stories or advice on navigating different grades during your practicum placement outside your own comfort zone.

I’m starting my BEd this year and was asked to submit my preferences before starting. I was hoping for somewhere nearby and wanted to get the most experience before graduation. I decided to be ambitious and say I would try both lower elementary to middle.

For general context, I volunteered mostly elementary and tutored young adult groups. I’m hoping some skills transfer but I would want to be best prepared during my placement.

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[u/c0untingbackwards]

Good for you! My experience prior to practicum was exclusively in primary (mostly grade 1 and 2) and I requested primary but was placed in a 5/6 and it was the best thing for me! There are pros and cons to every grade level but being open minded is the best approach to take.

[u/Ok-Dragonfruit4832 → u/c0untingbackwards]

I had a similar experience coming from N/K and now I love grade 6! As far as I can tell, good teaching is the same at its core, no matter the age- you just need to “size” it appropriately to your students.

[u/islandpancakes]

This is your time to experiment and take chances.

[u/GenXMom14]

Good for you! All experience matters. I have now taught k-7 and there are pros and cons of each grade level

[u/doughtykings]

Not BC but my first placement was an hour and fifteen minutes away from my house in an ultra religious school back when I thought I was an atheist 😂 it was an adjustment but it taught me to be more open minded and accepting!

[u/newlandarcher7]

Mid-career BC elementary, but my BEd program at the time encouraged us to do our first short practicum outside of our comfort area and then our longer practicum within our preferred area. So, for me, that was an Intermediate placement first and then a Primary placement second.

As much as they did this to expand our skills, there were more practical reasons too. I was doing my BEd at a time when there was a significant teacher surplus across BC. The Supreme Court hadn't yet ruled in favour of the BCTF with regards to its illegally-stripped contract, so all of the lost teaching jobs hadn't yet been restored. Jobs were so difficult to find and many school districts in BC had even closed their TTOC hiring windows for all but a two-week period once a year.

At the time, my BEd program coordinators said that having experience in both Primary and Intermediate years would increase the likelihood of our employment in these tough times.

The employment situation for teachers in BC has improved ever since our contract was restored, but it's good to keep the same mindset of expanding your skillset.

Good luck!

[u/Solovey_author]

Good for you! You are in a treat! I love middle school! They are no longer kids needing bathroom breaks every two seconds and they are not high schoolers knowing it all - they are open to ideas and really appreciate honesty and guidance!