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Benefits of Becoming a Field Instructor

Influence the Development of Future Practitioners

  • Offer real experience in the real world.
  • Link theory to practice.
  • Mentor and give back to the field.
  • Role model:
    • Competencies
    • Working within systems on behalf of clients
    • Ethical Behavior
    • The use and importance of relationships
    • The importance of encouraging and receiving feedback on your own work
    • Self-assessment and self-critique as a means of professional self-development.

Take Advantage of Professional Development Opportunities

  • Develop and maintain connections with the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work.
  • Consult with your Education Coordinator and with your Faculty-Field Liaison.
  • Ongoing professional development sessions on field education topics such as:
    • Preparing for a student’s arrival
    • Strategies for Integrating Theory and Practice
    • Power and Authority in the student /field instructor relationship
    • Providing constructive feedback
    • Conflict Management
    • Clinical Supervision.
  • Certificate for Field Instructor professional development hours completed, which can be used to fulfill the OCSWSSW Continuing Competence Program requirements.
  • Free CASWE Online Field Instructor certificate course. Contact Alexi Sparaggis for a Verification Code.
  • Supervisors of MSW Gerontology Students can register for free to the Institute for Life Course and Aging Online Workshops:
    • fill out a workshop registration form and select “Practicum Supervisors of MSW Gerontology Students” under “Other Registration Types.”
  • Invitations to workshops and training offered at the university and in the community.
  • Attend seminars by guest speakers.
  • Participate in simulation research and activities, “Practice Fridays.”
  • Facilitate Inter-professional Education (IPE) activities with professionals from other disciplines.

See the Courses and Professional Development page for full details about professional development opportunities.

Other Benefits