95 FIELD EXPERIENCE Field experiences are an important component of the Teacher Intern Program. These experiences allow candidates to apply principles and theories learned in their academic coursework to actual practice in the classroom setting. Field experiences also provide opportunities for interactions with diverse populations, ages, and school settings. The Pennsylvania Department of Education requires field experience prior to student teaching. Many of the required field experience hours will take place throughout the required coursework, and will align and integrate with the topics of focus in the course materials, and program goals. Consideration for field experience credit is given to recent experience in working with children in an instructional setting. Candidates will discuss recent experiences with the Director of the Teacher Education Program during the personal interview portion of the program intake process. STUDENT TEACHING Candidates in the Post-Baccalaureate program are placed in a 14-week student teaching position. This is a full-time, 16 credit assignment, arranged through the Placement Coordinator and Director of Teacher Education. Candidates in the Accelerated program will complete a student teaching component as appropriate for the individual program requirement. A modified student teaching placement is arranged and students are charged tuition and fees for a two credit class with a lab fee of $100. Typically, school sites for student teaching and field experiences are in a 30–40 mile radius of the Lycoming College campus. School sites are determined the semester prior to the student teaching semester in order for the teacher candidate, mentor teacher, and classroom students to form a relationship and for the teacher candidate to become familiar with the school culture and curriculum. Post-baccalaureate students are observed by the college supervisor a minimum of four times and will be expected to participate in all professional semester activities, including Wednesday afternoon seminars. Participation in mock interviews, creation of a professional portfolio, and portfolio exhibition are required events for post-baccalaureate candidates. Tuition and fees are charged accordingly to post-baccalaureate and intern teacher candidates ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION DURING STUDENT TEACHING During the course of the Professional Student Teaching Semester, the college supervisor will use a variety of assessment and evaluation strategies. The strategies used for EDUC 461, 462, 465, and SPLED 447 are shared in the syllabi for those courses and will be similar to those strategies used in other education courses. The following assessment and evaluation strategies are used for EDUC 461, 462, 465, and SPLED 447 – Student Teaching. All strategies are discussed with the students. Sources of assessment will include, but not be limited to, the student teacher’s observed performance in the classroom and attendance and participation at seminars. Lesson plans, lesson plan analyses, journals and other original documents will also be used as evidence of progress. PDE-430 and the Lycoming College Student Teacher Observation Assessment Form (LCSTOA) are two of the most frequently used tools by the college supervisor to assess and document progress. Professional Portfolio – Additions are made to the portfolio during this course. This is the capstone of the Professional Student Teaching Semester. This professional portfolio will contain the necessary requirements for successful job interviewing. TEACHER INTERN CERTIFICATE Candidates in the Intern program will complete an intern component as appropriate for the individual program requirements. Lycoming College works closely with the district to mentor the intern candidate. An intern accepts a position in a school and become the teacher of record under the Intern certificate, following all policies and procedures of the school district where interning. The intern teaches full-time and uses the teaching experience as the required student teaching component of the certification program. Lycoming College supervisors will observe teacher intern candidates a minimum of four times during their intern experience at a district. Students are assessed using the PDE 430 completed by the College Supervisor. Teacher interns are expected to participate and attend Wednesday afternoon seminars.
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