Initiation to Teaching Program

Concordia University College of Alberta’s Initiation to Teaching Program (ITP) is an optional classroom experience that is available to graduating students in May and June.The Initiation to Teaching Program is one way to support early career teachers by providing supported transition experiences from the pre-service education faculty to the field.  Concordia offers a bursary to all graduating students in the Bachelor of Education (After Degree) program to fund volunteer time in the classroom following completion of their studies. The Initiation to Teaching Program is an opportunity to refine knowledge, skills, and attributes as a volunteer in a supervising teacher’s classroom.

The Initiation to Teaching Program is a voluntary post-graduation experience and therefore is not an additional practicum nor included as part of the formal field experiences required by Alberta Education.

Read Concordia's Initiation to Teaching Program: A Supported Transition Experience for New-to-the-Profession Teachers (PDF).

The purposes of the Initiation to Teaching Program are rich and varied. Participation in the ITP affords opportunities to ...

  • refine skills and techniques learned in the teacher preparation program;
  • enhance knowledge of curriculum and instruction;
  • strengthen knowledge, skills, and attributes with a diversity of students including FNMI learners, English language learners, and children with special needs; and
  • broaden teaching experiences in different classrooms, schools, jurisdictions, or provinces. 

Initiation to Teaching Program Supports

Two documents are available to assist with the preparation of Initiation to Teaching Program plans: