A variety of school-based experiences are required prior to the student teaching assignment. Evaluations of these field experiences are used as supporting data for admission into the teacher education major and student teaching. Teaching experiences with individuals, small groups and whole classes provide an opportunity to relate theory and practice in an actual educational setting prior to student teaching. All teacher licensure programs require candidates to participate in the following experiences prior to student teaching. Educational Foundations Experience: EDU2215L Educational Foundations Lab During the sophomore year and prior to admission to the Teacher Education Program, the student must complete the minimum of a 20-hour field experience in a school setting as required in the course EDU2215. Students are placed at the level of licensure and every effort is made to place the students in their major field. This field experience consists of classroom observation, tutoring individual students, assisting the classroom teacher in preparation of materials and/or working with small groups. Evaluation of the experience is completed by the classroom teacher. Human Relations Experiences: EDU3209L Human Relations Lab Part I (Diverse Classroom Field Experience) Upon being admitted into the School of Education Teacher Education Program, the student must complete the minimum of a 30-hour field experience in either an elementary or secondary setting with a significant minority population as required in the course EDU3209. An evaluation form is completed by the classroom teacher. (See Human Relations requirements.) This placement includes 10 field experience hours also associated with EDU3218L Educating Diverse Learners K-12 Lab or EDU3248L Educating Diverse Learners PK-8 Lab. EDU3209L Human Relations Lab Part II (Diverse Non-classroom Field Experience) Upon being admitted into the School of Education Teacher Education Program, the student must complete a 30-hour experience with an ethnic group other than the student's own. An evaluation of the experience by a supervisor must be received. Observation/Participation Experience in Methods Courses: During the junior and senior years, students are required to complete methodology courses in their licensure field. Each of these courses requires students to observe and participate in field experiences in appropriate classroom settings in the cooperating schools. Evaluations are completed by both classroom teachers and the University Supervisors. For information regarding specific requirements, see your advisor in your major. Students are expected to arrange for their own transportation to and from field experiences; however, every effort is made to accommodate students without vehicles in pre-student teaching field experiences. NOTE: Students must plan to provide their own transporation during student teaching.
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| title | Field Experience Absence Policy |
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| All levels of field experiences are completed in partnership with K-12 schools, and the relationships we have with these school partners are built on professional trust and integrity. These experiences are also designed to ensure you complete a specific number of hours or weeks onsite that are required by the teaching licensure program you are in. For these reasons, you are required to protect all field experience lab times until you receive a confirmed placement schedule from your supervisor. Specifically, non emergency absences are not allowed. Non-emergency absences include family vacations, work, or special events outside of official UNW events that are excused by the university. Emergency absences may be excused although you may be required to make up the missed hours. Emergencies are defined as unforeseen, out of our control events that make attendance impossible. Please keep this policy in mind as you plan for your semesters where a field experience is a course requirement. |
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| title | Medical Emergencies |
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| A teacher education student who requires emergency medical assistance should be transported to the nearest emergency medical facility by calling 911. The Northwestern Health Service should be notified (651-631-5246), as well as the Director of Field Experiences and Student Teaching at (651-631-5341). University Supervisors should request that the teacher education students notify them in writing by the first week of the placement if they have a medical condition that might require emergency treatment during the placement. Students are encouraged to share this information with the cooperating teacher. |
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| title | Health & Safety Communication |
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| The University of Northwestern recognizes its responsibility to both the teacher education students it serves and to the learning communities that partner with its teacher education programs. Therefore, every effort is made to provide for the health and safety of both its teacher education students and the P-12 students with whom they interact in school placements. The University is required to officially communicate with its P-12 school partners about health or safety issues that may arise due to the involvement of teacher education students in cooperating school placements. Therefore, it is important for students who have prior knowledge of a known health or safety concern to communicate this with the SOE. These concerns may involve physical, social or emotional, long-term or short-term health and medical needs. Students who have prior knowledge of a health or safety concern that could affect P-12 students in their placement sites, must notify the SOE of the risk that exists prior to beginning a placement. This may be done by any of the following actions: 1) Contact the University of Northwestern Health Service and sign a release form requesting that the information be shared with the SOE. 2) Communicate the concern directly to the Assistant Dean of the School of Education or Director of Student Teaching who may in turn request documentation. 3) Contact the Disability Office for Support Services (DOSS) which can assist the teacher education student in communicating medical or other accommodation needs with the SOE. Students are encouraged to contact the Assistant Dean of the School of Education or the Director of DOSS if they have questions about what procedures to follow in ensuring their own health and safety and the health and safety of students in their P-12 field placements. Communication about health and safety issues is handled with confidentiality. |
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| title | Liability Insurance |
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| Liability insurance is provided by The University of Northwestern for all students in cooperating school placements. If additional coverage is desired, it must be obtained personally by the student. |
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| title | Field Experience Eligibility |
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| To be eligible for participation in Education field experiences a student must be fully admitted to the teacher education program and have matriculated from high school. Students who are completing a degree in Educational Studies are not eligible to participate in field experiences. |
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