Completing a teaching practicum is a rite of passage for every education student at Bishop’s University. You learn a lot of theory in your classes, but applying it in a real classroom is a whole different experience. Looking back, here are ten things I wish I had known before I started.
1. Understanding the Curriculum Is Non-Negotiable
Before my practicum, I didn’t know where to look or which parts of the curriculum needed to be included when building a lesson. In Quebec, we call the curriculum the QEP (Quebec Education Program). Take the time before your practicum to explore the QEP on the government website and get familiar with the subject areas, competencies, and learning outcomes.
2. Lesson Plans Are Important, but So Is Flexibility
You can have the best-planned lesson in the world, but real classrooms don’t always follow scripts. Students might need more time, ask unexpected questions, or push the discussion in a new direction. Being flexible and planning for multiple outcomes in your lessons is essential.
3. Your Associate Teacher Is Your Best Resource
Some practicum students hesitate to ask for help. I realized quickly that my associate teacher wanted me to succeed and expected me to ask questions. Observation, feedback, and even casual conversations were some of the best professional development I received.
4. Students Will Test You — It’s Not Personal
Some students will push boundaries simply because you’re new. I wasted time taking it personally. Recognizing it as part of normal student behaviour helped me stay calm and assertive rather than defensive.
5. Planning Takes Longer Than You Think
At first, planning even a single lesson took much longer than I expected. What helped was finding a solid lesson plan template to organize my ideas and using backwards design — starting with the learning goals and then planning activities and assessments to meet them. Having a clear structure made planning faster, more focused, and less stressful over time.
6. Get Comfortable Seeking Feedback
Receiving critical feedback isn’t easy, especially after you’ve put a lot of effort into a lesson. But it’s what helps you grow into your teaching style. Feedback showed me things I couldn’t see on my own and pushed me to keep improving. Asking for specific advice based on that feedback helped me build real confidence in the classroom.
7. Relationships Matter as Much as Content
Knowing your subject well is important. But building rapport with students — learning their names and showing genuine interest in them — made classroom interactions and lesson delivery far more effective. I’m not someone who remembers names easily, so to help, I used a floor plan and wrote down where each student sat. Having a visual reference helped me learn names faster.
8. Tip for When You Get Crickets
If you ask a question and no one answers, don’t rush to fill the silence. Give students a few extra seconds to think. If it’s still quiet, try rephrasing the question or using a leading question that guides them toward the answer. When needed, call on a student by their name (yes, the ones you just learnt, thanks to tip #7) to get the discussion moving.
7. Professionalism Matters Inside and Outside the Classroom
Teachers notice how practicum students handle themselves, so be on time, dress the part, and fine-tune your email style. These small behaviours might seem minor, but they build a reputation that follows you through your practicum and into your final evaluations.
10. Self-Reflection Isn’t Optional — It’s Essential
At the end of each day, write down a few quick notes: what went well, what didn’t, and what you learned. It doesn’t have to be long. Over time, these notes will show you how much you’ve grown and remind you where you started as a teacher.
Trust the Process—and Yourself
The practicum experience at Bishop’s is designed to challenge you and prepare you for the realities of teaching. You’ll make mistakes. You’ll have tough days. But you’ll also see moments of real growth.
The best advice I can give? Be patient — with your students and even more with yourself. You’re still learning, and growth takes time.
