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WHAT ARE FIELD EXPERIENCES?

Field experiences are the application side of preparation for teacher certification. Teacher candidates advance through four levels of field experiences, each becoming more intense, and ultimately leading up to the student teaching experience (stage 4).

Field experiences provide actual settings in which to develop and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary to help all students learn. “All” implies the possibility of diverse learning needs. Such needs may surface with

(a) students having exceptionalities;
(b) students from varying geographical areas, ethnicities, races, religions or socioeconomic status; or
(c) students with gender, sexual orientation, and linguistic differences.

Field experiences, too, are diverse. Interaction with students in a variety of settings helps teacher candidates confront issues of diversity that affect teaching and student learning. Strengthening teacher effectiveness in all contexts and with all students is the intended outcome. Additionally, the Shippensburg University Standards for Those Preparing to Teach, Lead, or Counsel in Public Schools include the following expected outcomes:

Knowledge: Teacher candidates demonstrate an understanding of the differences in how students learn and know how to accommodate diverse learning needs.
Skills: Teacher candidates accommodate diverse learning needs through informed decision-making that supports academic success for all students.
Dispositions: Teacher candidates show respect for the diverse needs and talents of all learners and demonstrate a commitment to helping them develop self-efficacy and achieve academic success.

A quick reference guide can be examined here:

Stage Title	Observation (1) Exploration (2)	Pre-Student Teaching (3)	Student Teaching (4)
Required Hours	40 hours minimum	150 hours minimum	12 weeks minimum
Description	Linked to K-12 professional core competencies and K-12 subject-matter content-specific guidelines; requires a minimum number of hours across various grade levels and content areas.	Linked to K-12 professional core competencies and K-12 subject-matter content-specific guidelines; requires a minimum number of hours across various grade levels and content areas. Pre-student teaching experiences include teaching small to large groups of students under the supervision of higher education faculty in the K-12 education programs and the mentorship of a certified K-12 education teacher. Pre-student teaching experiences are closely integrated with coursework, assessment practices, and program goals.	Student teaching includes a minimum of 12 weeks full-time in the classroom with increasing teaching responsibility to completely simulate the role of a grades K-12 educator. For greater than half of the student teaching experience, the teacher candidate will assume full responsibility as demonstrated by effective methods for the planning and delivery of instruction in the classroom. Candidates should be given the opportunity to split their placements in different grade levels and organizational structures, i.e., an elementary and a high school; a middle school and a high school; etc., in order to demonstrate proficiency at different ends of the K-12 spectrum.
Required Elements	1. Observation log signed by cooperating teacher. 2. Observation write-up by teacher candidate with feedback provided by university instructor. 3. Group meeting once a week with university instructor so that field experience is linked to current courses and practices. This can include the class meeting time.	1. Course assignments (e.g., journal, time log, reflective teaching) with feedback provided by university instructor. 2. Observation and feedback provided by university instructor. 3. Group meeting once a week with university instructor so that pre-student teaching experience is linked to current courses and practices.	1. Observation log signed by cooperating teacher. 2. Observation write-up by teacher candidate. 3. Observation feedback provided by university instructor. 4. On-site visitation by university instructor. 5. Group meeting once a week with the university instructor so that field experience is linked to current courses and practices. 6. PDE 430 Form.

CAUTION! - Do not contact a school or district and request an experience.

WHAT DO I NEED TO DO BEFORE EACH SEMESTER?

No matter what stage of field experience you are in, prior to each semester you need to read the following thoroughly:

Field Experience Handbook
Clearance Packet
Student Teaching Handbook
The information found here

Once you have done that, you must turn in the following to the OPPEO:

Acknowledgement of Field Experience Expectations Form
Clearance Cover Sheet
Required Clearances

In addition, it is the expectation that you are securing your own transportation so that you can participate in our program effectively. If you need assistance with transportation, contact our office.

You MUST give your cooperating teacher a copy of the syllabus prior to your visit to their classroom. If you need assistance doing that, contact our office.