Admission to Phase II, Block I

 The first block of Phase II in the Pre-K - 8 Program at Frostburg State University consists of method’s classes and three-week Teacher Assistantship Field Work.  Admission to Phase II includes the following requirements:

• A cumulative GPA of at least 2.5.
• Completion of 18 credit hours of specialization courses with a GPA of at least 2.75 in a content area or Early Childhood Education.
• Completion of foundation courses in education and successful completion of EDUC 200 (“Teaching Lab”).
• All candidates must have completed 10 to 45 hours of observation and assisting.

A.  ECE/ELEM majors are placed for their Teacher Assistantship in   intermediate grades (4, 5, or 6). Extended field experiences during Internship I and II are provided in Pre-K/K and primary grades (1, 2, or 3).

B.  ELEM majors are generally placed in primary grades for the Teacher Assistantship and intermediate grades or middle school for Internships I and II. Middle school placements, when required, are usually during Internship I.

Candidates are paired for the Teacher Assistantship to develop confidence and skills in planning and reflection on teaching.

A.  The placement is for a three week period or a total of 15 days.

B.  The dates of the three-week experience vary but usually fall in the latter half of the Block I semester so that the candidates can apply their knowledge from classes.

A.  Information needed for placement is gathered by the Placement Coordinator from the Office of Clinical and Field Experiencesduring the Block I orientation seminar for ELED 307.

B.  The Placement Coordinator notifies each pair (team) of their placement prior to the Hello Visit. Other information will be provided at that time, such as directions to the school and arrival times for teachers.

C.  FSU faculty supervisors for the teacher assistant(s) are determined by the ELED 307 Block I instructors.

D.  Each supervisor visits the candidates during the first week of the experience and completes one formal observation during the second or third week. Additional visits may be set depending on the candidates’ needs.

E.  All required field materials are collected and organized by the Block I graduate assistant, checked by the ELED 307 instructor, and filed in the Office of Clinical and Field Experiences.

F.  Aggregated data from field assessments are provided to the Block I instructors for program improvement.

I.  Successfully complete a minimum of 15 days in the assistantship.  If the teacher assistant is absent, he/she must:

A.  Daily time sheets. (Directions and examples given later in Handbook, Appendix.)

B.  Complete Tasks written on the Task Sheet.

1.  Plan and teach one lesson in each of the following content areas not covered by the Instructional Module: Math, Science, Social Studies and Reading.

2.  Lessons are to be previewed by the mentor teacher and initialed. Reflections are to be completed following each lesson. These lessons will be submitted to the appropriate content instructor through Task Stream.

3.  Co-plan and team teach an instructional module which includes a pre-assessment, a sequence of lessons and a post assessment. Each candidate must complete one lesson individually while the other lessons may be developed collaboratively. (More details are given in ELED 307, Fieldwork Seminar).

4.  Specific tasks as listed on ELED 307 Task sheet.

5.  Early Childhood/Elementary candidates, concurrently enrolled in ECED 443, will complete a parent interaction assignment.

Candidates need to contact the supervisor with possible dates and times for the observation.

A.  Arrive and depart at the assigned school at the same time faculty members are expected to arrive and depart.

B.  Follow all school regulations that apply to faculty.

C.  Exhibit professionalism in attitude and behavior.

I.  Based upon our cooperating schools’ policies, all Teacher Assistant candidates are not allowed to be in a classroom unless they have been fingerprinted for background check through the University.  Sign-up for the required fingerprinting takes place through the placement office and the present cost is $85.

Candidates are guests in the schools and must sign in each day. Falsifying a record is a major violation and can result in termination from the placement and possibly the program.

Candidates are expected to follow all school regulations that teachers are expected to follow.  This includes the dress code.

Dress Code:   During the Internship experience, candidates are expected to dress professionally when present at school and to adhere to the school/district dress code. In general, candidates’ attire should reflect a seriousness and commitment to the business of education. Clothing should not be too casual, too loose/tight or revealing. Candidates should dress appropriately for their teaching situation, with attire that allows for easy movement, comfort and does not distract from the learning environment. Candidates should avoid wearing jeans and flip-flops to school, unless deemed appropriate for school events.  All male interns are required to wear a shirt and tie.

All lesson plans are to be reviewed and initialed by the mentor teacher prior to teaching

Newsletters or any formal communication going home to parents must be approved by the principal as well as the mentor teacher.