The Teaching and Learning Innovation Digest - May 2023

References
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ROLE EMERGING PLACEMENTS
THE JOURNEY
Spoken word and reflection
Kala Subramaniam
Faculty, Occupational Therapist Assistant (OTA) and Physiotherapist Assistant (PTA),
School of Community and Health Studies (SCHS)
A pilot project was initiated in Fall 2019 where the OTA and PTA program created new community
partnerships to offer students Role Emerging Placement (REP) opportunities to obtain their required
fieldwork hours. As these placements were innovative and new, the OTA and PTA Professor Kala
Subramaniam and Professor and Coordinator Karen Koseck embarked on a research study to
explore the students’ experiences. This spoken word poem is the story of their journey and what they
learned from their research.
As we return to in-person placements and reconnecting with our community partners who navigated
REP placements through the pandemic, we work to reimagine and rethink our fieldwork opportunities
post pandemic.
Play audio
….
We have a story to tell of opportunities, authentic connections and clients served.
New fieldwork placements without onsite supervision for clients emerged.
Commitments made, searching for hours and places to teach them.
The pressure we felt overwhelming did not overshadow our belief in them.
We forged new alliances and partnerships with no limits.
Supported them to take on this opportunity, we were passionate.
The road never taken is not easy, but the potential for growth they see.
Preparation, planning, and buy-in was key.
Consulting, clarifying roles, and setting expectations, these students did it all.
They knew their worth as they answered the call.
Support was needed for leadership, feedback, and guidance.
And with experience, confidence in their OTA role was not just a science.
They built up, backed up, and held each other up,
Representing the best of us, they applied their skills and stepped up.
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