University of Alberta

Faculty of Education

FIELD EXPERIENCE ASSOCIATE: THE APPLICATION PROCESS

The University of Alberta, Faculty of Education invites applications for the position of Field Experience Associate (FEA) for the 2017 – 2018 school year. The successful applicant(s) will be seconded from their school board and receive salary and benefits, as per their collective agreements. The term of appointment begins August 31, 2017 and ends June 29, 2018. The initial appointment is for one year, with the possibility of extension for a second year.

Applicants are asked to discuss their intention to apply for a Field Experience Associate position with the responsible administrative officer in their school district.

All applicants are required to submit:

  1. A cover letter
  2. A curriculum vitae (resumé)
  3. Two letters of recommendation

The cover letter

The cover letter should provide a brief summary of your qualifications.

Curriculum vitae (Resumé)

Applicants have considerable discretion in the manner in which they develop and present their curriculum vitae.

Letters of recommendation

Two recent letters of reference are requested. References should be written by persons who have considerable knowledge of the applicant's work as a teacher and have good insights into the skills, attributes, and background needed for success as a Field Experience Associate. Letters of recommendation should be received by the application deadline.

Reference letters should include the following information:

  1. Name of applicant
  2. Position for which the candidate has applied
  3. Number of years you have known the applicant
  4. Nature of association with the applicant
  5. Comments regarding the applicant's classroom teaching abilities, leadership activities in education, abilities related to nurturing the professional development of student teachers, and attributes related to the duties of a Field Experience Associate

The Selection Process

  • We will review all applications against the selection criteria to create a short-list of candidates.
  • Short-listed applicants will be contacted by telephone to arrange interviews for the week of March 13, 2017.
  • Short-listed applicants will be informed of the selection decisions by March 24, 2017.
  • Applicants who are not selected for an interview will be informed by email byApril 14, 2017.

All application packages and letters of reference should be sent as attachment to Robert Smilanich, Assistant Dean, Field Experiences, at

DEADLINE for receipt of applications is Friday, February 10, 2017

University of Alberta

Faculty of Education

FIELD EXPERIENCE ASSOCIATE: SELECTION AND APPOINTMENT

Each year, a selection committee is established to recommend the appointment of Field Experience Associates to the Dean of the Faculty of Education.

The term of appointment begins August 31, 2017 and ends June 29, 2018. The initial appointment is for one year, with the possibility of extension for a second year by mutual agreement of the Field Experience Associate, the Faculty, and the employing school board.

The secondments of Field Experience Associates are informed by an agreement between the Edmonton Area Field Experiences Committee (EAFEC) and the Faculty of Education, University of Alberta. This agreement applies to schools in Alberta from the City of Red Deer and north and thus the competition is limited to qualified applicants from jurisdictions serving this area.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Required qualifications

  • Recent and significant experience supporting our Faculty’s Field Experience program
  • Experience in providing effective leadership in an educational context
  • Relevant graduate courses in Education
  • Record of excellence in teaching in the province’s K – 12 system.
  • An Alberta permanent professional teaching certificate and a minimum of five years of recent, successful teaching experience in Alberta schools

Desirable qualifications

  • Professional involvement in activities and organizations such as ATA specialist councils, Alberta Education committees, school district committees, school committees, etc.
  • Current involvement in personal professional development activities
  • Demonstrated ability ineffectively collaboratingwith others and working on a team
  • Demonstrated problem solving ability and conflict resolution skills
  • Experience in providing leadership in the fields of curriculum, mentoring, supervision and teaching

University of Alberta

Faculty of Education

FIELD EXPERIENCE ASSOCIATE: ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Field Experience Associates (FEAs) are teachers seconded to the University of Alberta to participate in the development and implementation of the Field Experiences programs administered by the Faculty of Education.

FEAs are major contributors to Faculty liaison activities as well as being involved with students and staff in a variety of contexts: working with individual Student Teachers and University Facilitators, instructing students in undergraduate courses, working with Mentor Teachers to prepare them for their responsibilities, and working with Field Experiences partners in professional development activities. The Faculty, in designing and developing its programs, seeks to integrate theory with practice and FEAs play a key role in achieving this integration of on-campus coursework with the Field Experiences.

The specific responsibilities of a FEA are as follows.

  1. Supporting Student Teachers

FEAs are involved in supporting Student Teachers in a variety of ways at different stages in the placement cycle. Specific responsibilities include:

  • Providing orientation and support to students related to the expectations and processes associated with the Field Experience.
  • Facilitating placements that accommodate extenuating circumstances.
  • Identifying supports and developing goals for students who have been unsuccessful in an attempt at a Field Experience.
  • Completing formal observations as part of the nomination process for awards.
  • Working with the various partners in the Field Experience to resolve problems that arise.
  1. Teaching in the Undergraduate Program

FEAs are responsible for teaching courses in the Undergraduate Program. The specific responsibilities of a FEA will be assigned based on the needs of the Faculty of Education.

  1. Providing leadership to a cohort of University Facilitators

FEAs determine school assignments for Edmonton area University Facilitators, act as group leaders for a cohort of University Facilitators, and conduct regular meetings with the cohort. FEAs provide in-services for University Facilitators, collect and review Weekly Visitation Records, and provide leadership to regional University Facilitators.

  1. Field Experience program development and implementation and other contributions to the Undergraduate Program.

FEAs are involved in a range of other activities that relate to the planning and implementation of the Field Experiences program, including:

  • Participating in the preparation and delivery of events for Student Teachers and University Facilitators.
  • Assisting in the placement of Student Teachers.
  • Assisting with the recruitment of schools and Mentor Teachers.
  • Providing in-service sessions for Mentor Teachers and School Coordinators.
  • Developing and revising materials and communications associated with the Field Experiences.
  • Representing the Undergraduate Student Services unit and participating in other committee work.
  • Acting as liaison between the University and the field.