Student Teaching

Catalog description

Observation and teaching in selected elementary or secondary schools under direction of cooperating classroom teachers and University supervisors. Regular seminars. GPA 3.0 or higher. Passing scores on required Praxis I tests. EDUC 490 Student Teaching (1-12) This course fulfills one of the certification requirements established by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Students are assigned for a period of twelve weeks to teach in either an elementary or secondary school. Students have the option of selecting either the primary or intermediate level in elementary education, or the middle or high school level in secondary education. Cooperating classroom teachers provide the day-to-day direction, evaluation and mentoring, and an assigned university supervisor makes weekly visits and observations. Students are phased into the full responsibilities of a classroom teacher, with the ultimate goal being, the assumption of all duties and responsibilities for a period of several weeks. Students plan, implement, evaluate and reflect on a variety of instructional activities throughout their experience. In addition to planning and implementing instruction, students assume responsibilities for classroom management, assessing student progress, communicating with all stakeholders, and participating in professional and co-curricular activities. Student teacher evaluations are based on clearly defined expectations and criteria. The assessment criteria are linked to Commonwealth and national standards.