Oakwood

Academy
Hello!
I am Elias Saber
This is my presentation about my
experiences during my practicum at
Oakwood Academy!

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Think. Relate. Communicate.
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Practicum Information
Name: Elias Saber
Oakwood Academy
2150 Torquays Mews., Mississauga,
ON, L5N 2M6
www.oakwoodacademy.ca

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About Oakwood
Oakwood Academy specializes in individualized
education focusing on developing thinking skills, relating
and communicating skills.
Working as a Teacher’s Assistant (TA) at Oakwood
requires students to be on-site, working directly with
children through 1:1 intakes throughout the day.

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“
Oakwood Academy is the only
recognized school that uses the
Development, Individual
Difference, Relationship-Based
(DIR) Model

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Philosophy of
Oakwood
Goals, vision and commitment
Philosophy of Oakwood Academy
Goal
Oakwood’s goal is that
children will develop
secure relationships, laying
a foundation of social and curriculum that focuses on
emotional skills so that
they can think, relate, and
communicate with their
world
Vision Commitment
Oakwood’s vision is to Oakwood is committed to
provide individualized, excellent parent
developmentally-based communication as parents
as an essential part of the
cognitive, physical, and team
social/emotional growth
for all the children
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About Oakwood
Client Population
⦁ Oakwood supports children with learning
needs and developmental disorders
⦁ ADHD, ASD, Autism, and more!
⦁ Very diverse team
⦁ Many professionals, all experts within multiple
fields

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Academic Structure
⦁ Student-paced education
⦁ Focuses solely on the pace of the students
⦁ Oakwood Academy has a supportive approach
⦁ Focuses on emotional development and giving love
⦁ Academic success is a bonus
⦁ Emotional > Intellectual
⦁ Focus on emotional connections more than their
academic abilities and success

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 Academic Support

Mild but clinically proven ADHD

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Working at
Oakwood
Development, theories, knowledge gained,
and wonderful experiences!
Learner Responsibilities
⦁ Learners are required to uphold professionalism at all
times throughout their practicum
⦁ Learners are to use appropriate language, engage in
appropriate discussions, uphold the dress code, and be
punctual
⦁ Learners are expected to support the primary teachers
throughout the day
⦁ Gathering materials, planning activities, cleaning
the classroom, etc.

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Learner Responsibilities
⦁ Learners will spend 1:1 time with the student to build a
bond and implement strategies learned
⦁ Learners will uphold confidentiality of the students and
staff
⦁ No use of cellphones during working hours
⦁ Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all learners are
expected to uphold the health and safety standards to
minimize the spread of the virus

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Professional Development
⦁ Built a knowledge base
⦁ Learned about the client population, challenges they face,
and practices that support them
⦁ Observed practices within the workplace
⦁ Observed activities and therapy sessions
⦁ Reflecting and changing practices
⦁ Implemented learnings from both readings and
observations
⦁ Reflected if the activities and implemented practices
were effective or not

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Skill Development
⦁ Problem-solving
⦁ Dealing with situations such as dysregulations, missing
items,
⦁ Communication
⦁ Communicating effectively with staff and students
⦁ Asking questions about students and behaviors
⦁ Time management
⦁ Getting all binder activities done on time
⦁ Being punctual in the morning and during shifts
⦁ Able to follow schedules set for the chldren

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Skill Development
⦁ Creativity
⦁ Creating activities for students to enjoy and learn
⦁ Creating new ways to interact with the children
⦁ Flexibility
⦁ Able to adapt to any unforeseen circumstances
⦁ Be able to adapt activities that may not work
⦁ Able to deal with sudden dysregulations effectively

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Theory to Practice
Rational Choice Theory
● Explains why people make the decisions they make
● People weigh the pros, cons and possible results before doing
● Children at Oakwood all process benefits and risks when
making choices
○ Almost all choices are based on preferences
● Observations of their choices made it easier to learn about
their preferences and build bonds

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Knowledge Gained
⦁ Learned about the DIR Model and its practical use
⦁ Learned about autism, regulation, capacities, stress behaviors
and communication strategies
⦁ “Wait. Watch. Wonder.” strategy
⦁ Observations about the children and producing questions
to be asked

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Personal Experience
What do I think of it?
Personal Experience
Absolutely amazing! I was nervous at the beginning, but
the atmosphere is very warm and the staff are very
understanding. They answered all my questions and even
provided some advice about the students that I had not
known before! Every morning now I am excited about
going to Oakwood!
- Elias

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Thank You!
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References
Oakwood Academy. (n.d.) Oakwood Academy. https://www.oakwoodacademy.ca/

Ourkids.net. (n.d.) Oakwood Academy. Mississauga Private Day School.

https://www.ourkids.net/school/oakwood-academy-mississauga/463

Reading Rockets. (n.d.). Five Phases of Professional Development.

https://www.readingrockets.org/article/five-phases-professional-development

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