University of Northern British Columbia

School of Education Degree Program

March 1, 2016

Conan Winkelmeyer
Apt #220-3033 Ospika Blvd
Prince George, BC V2N 4L5
Via email
Mr. Winkelmeyer,
On February 29, 2016, I received an email from Mrs. Carol Fedyk in her role as
Practicum Placement Coordinator regarding your status as a teacher candidate in the
EDUC 491: Classroom Practice & Seminar IV course.
In her email to me, she stated that you had met with her and Dr. Tina Fraser, BEd
Coordinator and that [you had] decided to withdraw before the issues became worse.
We assume that you believed that you were voluntarily withdrawing from the EDUC 491
practicum which will result in an F in the course.
As per the UNBC 2015-2016 Undergraduate Academic Calendar,
Teacher candidates seeking voluntary withdrawal from a practicum placement,
whether permanent or temporary, must receive permission to do so from the Chair
of Education. Teacher candidates should make this decision only after careful
consideration of the possible impact on their practicum experience-based
assignments. Failure to give appropriate notice of withdrawal during a practicum
placement, without consultation and approval of the Practicum Placement
Coordinator, and/or BEd Coordinator, will result in withdrawal from UNBCs
Education Program. (p. 98)
You appear to have consulted with the Practicum Placement Coordinator and the BEd
Coordinator but you did not receive approval from either. More importantly, you did not
receive permission from me as the School of Education Chair. As you have not received
permission for a voluntary withdrawal from the EDUC 491 practicum from me as School
of Education Chair, nor have you been approved for this withdrawal by Dr. Fraser, BEd
Coordinator, or by Mrs. Fedyk, your voluntary withdrawal from practicum will result in
your being withdrawn from the UNBC Education program.
I will add that, given the additional emails, notes, and reports from your field experience
Cooperating Teacher, Practicum Supervisor, and Principal, you would have been
withdrawn from the practicum setting this week so I do not interpret your withdrawal as
student-initiated.
Andrew Kitchenham, Ph.D. Chair and Professor
3333 University Way, Prince George, BC V2N 4Z9
Telephone 960-6707 Email: andrew.kitchenham@unbc.ca Fax 960-5536

University of Northern British Columbia

School of Education Degree Program
In summary, you have voluntarily withdrawn from the EDUC 491 practicum without
approval from the UNBC School of Education Chair; therefore, you are withdrawn from
the UNBC Education program.
Should you wish to discuss any information concerning re-admission to the program,
please contact me directly.

Sincerely,

Dr. Andrew Kitchenham

School of Education Chair and Professor

cc:

Dr. Tina Fraser, BEd Coordinator and Education Appeals Chair

Mrs. Carol Fedyk, Practicum Placement Coordinator
Kathy Labont, Practicum Supervisor, UNBC
Nick Hadfield, Cooperating Teacher, Spruceland Traditional School
Linda Picton, Principal, Spruceland Traditional School

Andrew Kitchenham, Ph.D. Chair and Professor

3333 University Way, Prince George, BC V2N 4Z9
Telephone 960-6707 Email: andrew.kitchenham@unbc.ca Fax 960-5536