Buyer Beware Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

My supervisor (Derrick O'Sullivan) was vindictive, shallow and unhelpful. He provided me a minimal three formative assessments that were hard to read and generic at best, often focusing on the same advice of "the lesson needs a stronger conclusion". His verbal feedback was overwhelmingly positive until the last 3 days of my program, in which he failed my unequivocally - he then denied me any further communication. I would call this manipulation at best, and his in school behavior was generally perceived by the faculty of the school to be unprofessional. Coming into the school for the first time, my cooperating teacher had no idea what the requirements for me were, and it then became my responsibility to dictate his expectations of me. I believe the role of a supervisor should be to act as liaison between the student teacher and the school - Derrick did no such thing. Despite my terrible experience with Derrick as a supervisor, I found my time at the secondary school to be educational and enjoyable. The faculty were supportive and helpful. If it were not for them I would not be able to say a positive thing about this experience. Instead the faculty (including the principal and vice principal) kept me motivated and supported me the whole way. By the end I felt like a full-time teacher at the school. It is my firm belief that Derrick O'Sullivan is unfit as a supervisor and should be closely reviewed. I also believe it should be known that Derrick is placing all foreign exchange teachers to live with his close friends and family and that all the faculty members I confided to about how much I was paying were absolutely appalled. Derrick also visited my abroad home (also his son's home) multiple times un-announced and past 9:00 at night. Once to give me work to do and once to mow the lawn (which he asked me to mow and then decided he would). His behavior is beyond unprofessional - it borders on unethical.

On-site administration of your program

There was no on-sight administration. Derrick operated alone with nobody to report to.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I was treated wonderfully by my host family, but to most of the locals and friends I made in Ireland, they believed I was being overcharged by a long shot. It also bothers me that Derrick placed me with his son and felt free to come and go to the house as he pleased - even being so bold as to come at night on a weekend to give me work to do.

none

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

nothing arranged by program

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

very safe

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

Select all that apply

• Host Family

Select all that apply

• Host Family

• Placement School/Faculty
• I enjoy teaching, almost no matter what.

• Supervisor (checks and balances, why only one?)
• Housing Placement (inform students what a reasonable price for accommodation is.)