Letter of Introduction

Intent

The letter of introduction is used in several ways. School Coordinators, University Facilitators, and Mentor Teachers will have the opportunity to read your letter prior to your arrival. It serves as a way for the Mentor Teacher to gain background knowledge about you and your experiences. At the elementary level, students are often placed with a mentor teacher based on the interests and experiences indicated in the letter.

Format

Your letter should be written in a friendly letter format containing a salutation (Dear Mentor Teacher), a body of relevant information and a complementary closing (Sincerely). Keep your letter to a maximum of one page in length and have someone proof read your letter!

Things to include

Use this list as a guideline only.

• Major(s) & minor(s)   
• Curriculum courses completed

What do you feel are your strengths as a Student Teacher?
What things have you learned about that you look forward to implementing in the classroom?

• Subjects you enjoy or would consider teaching                    

Which grade levels would you prefer to teach during this experience?
What areas do you feel you would like to have some mentorship? 

• Experiences with children or youth

What teaching/coaching/leadership/work experiences have you had?
What have you learned through these activities that will assist/enable you to help students?
What do you hope/expect to learn from being in a school setting?
What are your perceptions of the responsibilities/workload you will have in a school setting?

• Your emerging educational philosophy
• Personal interests

What special skills do you have that will assist you in the classroom?

What do I do with my letter?

Elementary Students

Please email one copy of your letter to your University Facilitator and one copy to the School Coordinator at your assigned school. Please use your ualberta.ca account to send this and add the following subject line to the school letter:                       

Subject: To School Coordinator, Student Teacher Letter of Introduction

Secondary Students

Please email one copy of your letter to your University Facilitator and one copy to your Mentor Teacher c/o your assigned school. Please use your ualberta.ca account to send this and add the following subject line to school letter:                    

Subject: To name of mentor teacher, Student Teacher Letter of Introduction

By when?

Both IPT and APT students should submit letters within one week of placement posting.