Candidates enrolled in field experience courses complete observations at public schools in conjunction with course assignments.  The gateway teacher education program course, Historical, Social, and Philosophical Foundations of Education (EDCI 231), requires 14 hours and can be completed prior to taking the course.  Education Psychology (PSY 321) and Teaching Exception Children (SPED 335 or SPED 336 or SPED 337) each require 16 hours in conjunction with course assignments and must be completed simultaneously with the course.

Candidates will receive application information via their Catamount e-mail address at the beginning of the semester and through class visits from Office of Field Experience staff providing information application information for the experience.  The candidate and host teacher develop a contract (PDF) outlining activities to be completed.  Finally, a timesheet (PDF) is submitted by the Candidate and Host Teacher that becomes part of the overall field experience file for licensure.

The Early Field Experience program undergoes constant evaluation and revision in response to feedback from candidates and partner schools and teachers.  Candidate evaluations of early field experiences and host teacher evaluations of candidates are both completed on TaskStream. These evaluations become part of the candidate’s electronic portfolio.