What is Refocus for Success?

Refocus for Success is a mandatory, two-day seminar for student teachers who have earned an unsatisfactory grade for one or more student teaching experiences, for students who may have experienced difficulty in a previous placement, and/or for students who have been out of the program for an extended period of time.

Student teachers, who wish to continue on to another student teaching placements, must attend all required Refocus for Success sessions, satisfactorily complete all Refocus assignments, and complete a probationary contract. Failure to meet the requirements will result in the termination of your final student teaching experience.

Medaille College policy dictates that a student teacher who fails two student teaching placements is academically dismissed for a period of one year, during which time they are required to complete an Improvement Plan prior to applying for readmission to the program (see page 13 of the School of Education Handbook). Students whose student teaching have been delayed or must be repeated will also have their graduation and certification delayed. Students who return and fail a third placement will be academically dismissed from the program.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the two-day Refocus for Success seminar, participants will have:

1. Reflected on their prior student teaching placement and began focusing on how to improve in their next experience.
2. Expanded their repertoire of specfic, concrete, and actionable techniques to improve their teaching and planning.

3. Revisted professional dispositions necessary to become a successful, practicing teacher.

When is Refocus for Success offered?

Refocus for Success is offered as follows.

• Early January
• Mid-March (interim week)
• Late August
• Late-October (interim week)

When can a student teacher candidate repeat a failed placement?

After attending the mandated Refocus for Success, student teacher candidates who fail one placement may repeat their placement in:

• Failed September placement repeated in January
• Failed October placement repeated in March
• Failed January placement repeated in September
• Failed March placement repeated in November

Where can I repeat my placement?

Student teacher candidates will be expected to submit a revised Student Teaching Placement Form prior to leaving campus after Refocus for Success in order for OSTC to know which school board/district to approach on your behalf.