We've heard throughout this series about the importance of communication. Jeff Turner is a Sessional Instructor at the Werklund School of Education, University of Calgary. He also acts as a university advisor for student teachers and mentors in the teacher education program. In this conversation, we explore the importance of strong, honest and open communication throughout the practicum experience. Some great insights and strategies!

Connor Kopp is a recent graduate from the teacher education program at the University of Lethbridge. Dawn Burleigh was Connor's faculty consultant/mentor. In this conversation, Connor and Dawn share insights and perspective on the teacher education practicum, the importance of mentorship and the journey into the teaching profession.

Jerry and Jo-Ann Saddleback are educators and elders from Treaty 6 Territory. They joined me to talk about the Teaching Quality Standard and, in particular, how educators might approach Competency No. 5: "A teacher applies Foundational Knowledge about First Nations, Métis and Inuit for the benefit of all students"Elders Jerry and Jo-Ann share important information about their community's view of child development, the importance learning from elders and knowledge keepers and understanding the protocols around approaching elders and knowledge keepers.

Jason Schilling is the current president of the Alberta Teachers' Association (ATA). In this episode, Jason places the Teaching Quality Standard (TQS) in the context of his own teaching career, but also reflects on the importance of the TQS for professional learning and conversations.

Paul McLeod is Assistant Superintendent, Human Resources for St. Albert Public Schools in Alberta. He has intimate knowledge of Alberta's Teaching Quality Standard and, in this conversation, reflects on the development of the TQS, what it means for individual teachers and how it has changed the way that educators talk about their work in Alberta.A very passionate conversation!

Francine Zhou Yuheng is a newly-minted teacher and graduate of the teacher education program from University of Alberta. In this conversation about Alberta's Teaching Quality Standard, Francine speaks enthusiastically and thoughtfully about what the TQS has meant in her teacher education program and how she views the Standard as she moves into her career.

Laura Morel is an experienced Cooperating Teacher with the Calgary Catholic District School Board. In this episode, we hear about the practicum experience from the perspective of the mentor teacher. We talk about what it's like to welcome another adult into the classroom, the important school-university partnership and we finish up with some advice for new mentor teachers.

Dave Halase is a Practicum Advisor at St. Mary's University, Alberta. In what is, arguably, the most entertaining conversations to date, Dave offers some rather poignant insights on what it takes to make a smoother transition between the teacher practicum experience and full-time practice.

When we spoke to Jay Wilkins, he was just finishing up his teacher education program at St. Mary's University in Alberta. In this conversation, Jay shares his experience, his insights and even some advice he has for students just about to embark on the teacher education journey.

Dominique Tardicella is a Preservice Teacher at St. Mary’s University, Alberta. She talks from her perspective as a student in a teacher practicum, including her insights on struggles that she and her peers have faced, the spaces between her original expectations of the profession and the realities that she experienced on the ground and more. Some great advice to new teacher candidates and mentor teachers alike!