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The policies and procedures stated in this handbook apply to all students admitted and/or active in the KWU education program. The contents of this handbook may be subject to change throughout the program. Faculty reserve the right to change policies when needed. If changes are made to contents of this handbook, you will be informed and the changes will be posted on the Teacher Education department website and the Teacher Education Program Canvas Page. In addition, you are responsible for other sources of policies, procedures, guidelines, and expectations, including the KWU Student Handbooks and Academic Catalog, class schedules, KWU website, and any other pertinent KWU resources.
(Approved 6/15/17, Finalized 8/7/17, Revised 8/19/18, 08.06.19)
EARLY FIELD
EXPERIENCE
HANDBOOK
Contents
- EARLY FIELD EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS AND EXPECTATIONS
- STUDENT EXPECTATIONS..............................................................................................................................................
- Cooperating Teacher Expectations...............................................................................................................................
- Requirements of Students in Foundational Courses
- Requirements of Students in Foundational Courses
- Performance Improvement Policy
- Procedures for Termination of Early Field Placement..................................................................................................
- PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT PLAN........................................................................................................................
- Professional Liability Insurance
- Statement of Understanding
- Code of Confidentiality and Professionalism
- Candidate’s Statement of Commitment Regarding Dispositions......................................
- Background Check of Teacher Education Students/Candidates
- Additional Student Background Disclosure
- Additional Student Background Disclosure
- Field Experience Disclosure
- EFE Foundations Midterm/Final Evaluation
- EFE Methods Midterm/Final Evaluation
Early Field Experience
STUDENT EXPECTATIONS
First week of the semester:
- Contact your Cooperating Teacher via email or phone to introduce self. Give them some background information about your experiences in education
- Show your eagerness to work in their classroom. Schedule a meeting prior to the first assigned day to discuss assignments and deadlines with the cooperating teacher
- Verify all contact information for the cooperating teacher during your first visit. (Phone numbers, email address, etc.)
- Take responsibility for knowing and adhering to all policies, procedures, and requirements of the KWU’s Early Field Experience program, the cooperating classroom, and the school district you will be working in
- Research directions to the placement site and make all travel arrangements to and from the EFE site and bear any expenses that may occur
During Field Experience :
- Arrive at the placement site 10-15 minutes early every day
- Follow all visitor requirements. You must sign in at the main office every day.
- Attend all expected and scheduled sessions
- Complete and turn in required EFE journals and assignments on time
- Discuss assignments and deadlines with cooperating teacher the first week
- Record your hours of EFE on time sheet daily (Must be signed off by Cooperating Teacher)
- Turn in the Time Sheet at the end of the semester as instructed in the course syllabus
*IF an emergency arises, notify the cooperating teacher, your KWU professor and the EFE
Director prior to 7:30 A.M. Appearance
- Dress professionally and appropriately for the school setting (e.g., No jeans, shorts, sweat suits, flip flops, spandex yoga pants, etc. Maintain a clean and neat appearance always
- Do not wear clothing that is revealing in nature (showing cleavage/ sagging pants/short skirts)
- Cover any tattoos and remove facial piercings
Ethical Conduct
- Retain complete confidentiality concerning information from or about the placement site, students, or school faculty/staff (NOTE: Any concerns regarding K-12 student well-being should be immediately reported to the cooperating teacher, school counselor and/or building administrator, and university supervisor or instructor
- Demonstrate professional dispositions by avoiding negative comments about KWU, placement site, staff, cooperating/mentor teacher, students, or student care-takers
- Address placement site staff, students, and parents courteously
- React objectively when authority or knowledge is challenged
- Be in control your emotions
- Accept criticism in a professional manner. The cooperating teacher is the classroom and content expert
Active Involvement
- Actively participate in classroom routines.
- Ask your cooperating teacher how you can help
- Be willing to work with individual students or in small groups
- Practice helping students stay focused and on task
- Observe your cooperating teacher’s management style.
- Notice routines that are established in the classroom, as well as in the building
Teaching
- Share lesson plans/activities with cooperating teacher prior to the day of teaching
- Lessons taught must be turned in to KWU professor two days prior to your lesson.
- Notify your KWU Professor of the time and date you will be teaching one week prior to teaching your lesson
- Submit lesson reflection to KWU Professor by deadline stated in syllabus
Midterm
- Complete Midterm evaluation with cooperating teacher and submit with reflection to KWU Professor
After Field Experience Ends: Leave a letter thanking your cooperating teacher for their time and expertise
Early Field Experience
Requirements of Students in Foundational Courses
EDUC208 Foundations of American Education
EDUC250 Education of the Exceptional Child
These foundational courses are generally the first experiences KWU students have as pre-service teachers in the P- 12 in the classroom.
A student during the field experiences should:
Observe various teaching methods Assist in preparing teaching materials Assist in the instructional process with individual students and in small groups Be as interactive as possible in the classroom.
Cooperating teachers should:
Share teaching philosophy Discuss classroom management style Share resources with their pre-service student Complete a midterm with the pre-service student Sign off on EFE time log Complete final evaluation
Students are expected to:
Log hours of Field Experience (Signed by cooperating teacher to be accepted) Complete all journals and assignments Discuss midterm with the Cooperating teacher and submit a reflection of the midterm
After Field Experience ends:
- Leave a letter thanking your cooperating teacher for their time and expertise
Early Field Experience
Requirements of Students in Methods Courses
Elementary Education Block 1 (Beginning Reader, Math)
Elementary Education Block 2 (Developing Reader, Science, Social Studies)
KICA Special Education Methods
These courses are for students that have been admitted into the Teacher Education Program. They
have had at least 40 hours in the classroom. They are learning how to write lesson plans and
prepare units.
A student during field experiences should:
- Observe various teaching methods
- Assist in preparing teaching materials
- Assist and teach in the instructional process with individual students, small groups, and
whole group
- Be as interactive as possible
Cooperating teachers should:
- Share teaching philosophy
- Discuss classroom management style
- Share resources with their pre-service student
- Assist pre-service student in planning and teaching lessons
- Complete a midterm with the pre-service student
- Complete final evaluation
Students are expected to:
- Log hours of Field Experience (Signed by cooperating teacher to be accepted)
- Complete all journals and assignments
- Discuss midterm with the Cooperating teacher and submit a reflection of the midterm by
deadline stated in the syllabus
- Plan, teach and reflect on a minimum of three lessons. All lessons plans must be submitted to
the KWU Professor two days prior to teaching the lesson; lessons videotaped, reflection paper
completed, and conduct a meeting with the KWU Professor to discuss the lesson
After Field Experience ends:
- Leave a letter thanking your cooperating teacher for their time and expertise
Early Field Experience
Procedures for Termination of Early Field Placement
The following policy pertains to candidates enrolled in K W U e d u c a t i o n courses. When there is cause to consider termination of an Early Field placement, the following procedure shall be followed:
- The Department shall give the candidate notice in writing a) that consideration is being given to removing him/her from the placement, b) of the date, time, and place of a hearing before the Teacher Education Committee whose responsibility it is to reach a decision concerning the possible termination of an placement; c) that the candidate is invited to attend and participate in the hearing.
- The hearing shall be scheduled to be not more than three (3) days following the candidate being notified of the hearing
- If the candidate gives adequate reason, the Department may grant a continuance of the time limit specified above
- The place of the hearing shall be determined by the Department and shall be held at a location that is reasonably convenient for all parties involved
- The committee responsible for this hearing shall be the Teacher Education Committee with the Chair serving as the hearing officer. Included at the hearing will be a representative from the school district, if appropriate
- The candidate or person whom he/she designates shall be permitted to question witnesses who present evidence against him/her at the hearing
- The candidate shall have an opportunity to present his/her own case
While a decision in a case of termination is pending, the candidate may be removed from his/her assignment if the case presumes to involve
- immoral character
- conduct unbecoming a teacher in training
- ethical, legal, or professional misconduct
- insubordination, failure to obey reasonable rules outlined by the school district and/or the department
- inefficiency, incompetency, or failure to comply with the requirements of the school district and/or the Department. Removal shall be by action of the University and/or the school district and may be based on recommendations of the school district's superintendent, principal, or other person of authority as duly authorized by the school district or University. When the hearing or the case is completed, the Department shall inform the candidate in writing of the decision involving his/her placement within 5 academic business days.
Early Field Experience
PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT PLAN
EARLY FIELD EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS AND EXPECTATIONS
Department: Teacher Education Date:
Performance in need of improvement (List the goals the student will initiate to improve performance, as well as an action plan for how the student will achieve each goal. Include skill development and changes needed to meet expectations) :
Goals Action Plan
Targeted Date for Improvement:
Goal 1:
Goal 2:
Goal 3:
Dates to review progress by the student and university supervisor: Student will initially meet with supervisor to discuss and review progress every week.
Providing your signature below acknowledges these were addressed with the student and will be filed in student’s education file.
Student Signature: Date:
University Supervisor Signature: Date:
Early Field Experience
Statement of Understanding
As an Education Major at Kansas Wesleyan University, I understand that there are many
responsibilities to which I must attend in order to successfully complete the program and
become a certified teacher in Kansas. I have read the Kansas Wesleyan University TE Handbook
and the Early Field Handbook carefully and understand the context. I have read the guidelines
concerning field experience procedures, assignments, background self-disclosure,
confidentiality/professionalism agreement, field experience evaluation and unsatisfactory field
experience procedures. My signature below signifies my understanding and willful compliance
with the policies and procedures established in these handbooks and that I will not be able to
begin my field experience until the following forms have been completed:
Statement of Confidentiality and Professionalism
Statement of Disposition
Background Self Disclosure
Field Experience Disclosure
Proof of Professional Liability
Major: _______________________________________________________________
Printed Name:
Signature:
Date:
Early Field Experience
Code of Confidentiality and Professionalism
As an Education Major at Kansas Wesleyan University, I understand that I will have access to privileged and confidential information while participating in early field experience. I must always hold high expectations of myself in the community. I agree to maintain confidentiality and professionalism in all circumstances relating to the people I meet and work with during these experiences, the children with whom I interact, the school districts with which I participate, the community that I am living in, and the information and data with which I am entrusted. This statement of confidentiality encompasses all communication tools including online/social media and electronic communication. My signature below signifies my understanding and willful compliance with the expectations of Confidentiality and Professionalism.
I will: (Please initial)
Not use any form of online/social media or electronic communication to discuss my experience outside of my Cooperating Teacher, University Professors, and Director of Field Experience.
_ Present myself in a neat and clean fashion.
o Dress professionally and appropriately for the school setting (e.g., No jeans, shorts, sweat suits, flip
flops, spandex yoga pants, holes, low neck lines, short skirts, hats, clothing inappropriate to children, etc.
o Always maintain a clean and neat appearance
o Avoid clothing that is revealing in nature (showing cleavage/ sagging pants/short skirts)
o Cover any tattoos and remove facial piercings
Not use cell phones in the P-12 classroom.
Not have food, drink, or gum in the P-12 classroom.
Arrive at the placement site 10-15 minutes early every day
Sign in at the main office every day and follow all visitor requirements
Attend all expected and scheduled sessions *IF an emergency arises, notify the cooperating teacher and the KWU professor and EFE Director prior to 7:30 A.M.
Conduct myself in a professional manner in my school and my community.
Printed Name: ___________________________________________________
Signature: _______________________________________________________
Early Field Experience
Candidate’s Statement of Commitment Regarding Dispositions......................................
Signature page
I have read the dispositions and indicators. I agree that dispositions are important to being an
effective, professional teacher. I am committed to both growth and excellence in demonstrating these
dispositions. I understand that my progress in the teacher education program depends upon
successful demonstration of these dispositions.
Student/Candidate Signature: ______________________________________Date: ____________________
Printed Name: _______________________________________________________ Date: ____________________
Early Field Experience
Background Check of Teacher Education Students/Candidates
In the State of Kansas, teaching is considered to be a profession. Therefore, the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) has a Professional Practices Commission to exercise disciplinary and advisory functions over those requesting licensure or working as a certified professional. Teacher licensure can be denied, suspended, or revoked for both felony and non-felony actions. (Legal Issues and Teacher Licensure updated June 2016)
We have compiled this information for students in all Kansas teacher preparation programs. The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) requires a fingerprint-based background clearance before they will issue any teaching license.
After a presentation in 2013 by a KSDE Office of General Counsel, it became abundantly clear that all teacher education students with ANY prior crime related to KSDE criminal questions (below) should try to get the record officially “expunged” before requesting a background clearance. It’s best to complete this process before applying for ANY license with KSDE.
- Have you ever been convicted of a felony? Yes No If yes, please attach a copy of the court documents regarding conviction
- Have you ever been convicted of ANY crime involving dishonesty, drugs, or a child? Yes No If yes, please attach a copy of the court documents regarding conviction.
- Have you entered into a criminal diversion agreement after being charged with any offense described above? Yes No If yes, please attach a copy of the diversion agreement.
- Are criminal charges pending against you in any state involving any of the offenses described above? Yes No If yes, please attach a copy of the court documents regarding your case.
- Have you had a teacher’s or school administrator’s certificate or license denied, suspended or revoked in any state? Yes No If yes, please indicate the action taken : revoked denied suspended
Which State(s)?
Please attach a copy of the documents regarding the official action taken.
- Is disciplinary action pending against you in any state regarding a teacher’s or administrator’s certificate or license? Yes No
If yes, please attach a copy of the official documents regarding the action pending against you.
KSDE may ask you to appear before the Professional Practices Commission (a KSDE committee of working teachers, KSDE and Higher Education representatives); and any decision from the Professional Practices Commission will go before the State Board of Education for final action. Just because you may have had an emergency sub license approved does not guarantee a teaching license will be!
Advice about getting a record expunged:
- It’s often a simple process that may not require a lawyer;
- It can take a 4-8 weeks to complete;
- Start by contacting the court (county or municipal) where the conviction/diversion occurred OR look for the paperwork on the court website;
- Check to make sure of the time required for an expungement has been completed;
- If it can be completed before you apply for a license, work on completing the expungement;
- If it cannot be completed before you apply, REPORT the crime on your license application and include copies of the court documents; Remember, an expungement can benefit you in more ways than just licensure!
If your crime happened in Salina Municipal Court, requesting expungement may be fairly easy: go online for the forms and instructions. In most courts, the typical cost for expungement would be $100-200; with more serious cases, you might want to hire a lawyer.
If a student answers "Yes" to any of the above questions:
- The student will be asked to submit appropriate documentation to the Teacher Education Committee.
- The student may appear before the Teacher Education Department/Unit Committee if he or she wishes. The university attorney or student's attorney also may be present.
EACH CASE WILL BE CONSIDERED ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS.
The following factors will be taken in account: FACTORS:
- Nature of the felony or crime
- Recency of the felony or crime
- Rehabilitation related to the felony or crime
- Potential danger to students
Teacher Education Department/Unit Committee decides if the student/candidate is to:
(1) participate in early field experiences,
(2) be admitted into the Teacher Education Program,
(3) be accepted for clinical practice,
(4) be recommended for licensure.
The Teacher Education Committee/ Unit will take the above factors into account as they reach their decision concerning placement or acceptance of students. The Chairperson of the Teacher Education Department will notify the student, in writing, of the decision. In addition, copies of that notification will be sent to the Provost, the Director of Teacher Education, and Licensure Officer. As with all issues regarding teacher education decisions, the student/candidate has the right to appeal. The appeals process is listed in the KWU Catalog and the Teacher Education Handbook.
IMPLEMENTATION DATE JANUARY 15, 1996 Revised June 2016
Students will be required to answer the questions listed above:
a. Prior to the end of first week of classes for early field placement in the Foundations and History of Education class,
b. When they apply for admission into the Teacher Education Program,
c. When they apply for clinical practice,
d. When they apply for licensure
Students/Candidates who have been convicted of a felony involving the areas listed above may be denied licensure by the State of Kansas.
I certify that the information on this form is true and complete to the best of my knowledge. I understand that any misrepresentation of facts may result in the denial or revocation of my certificate by the Kansas State Department of Education.
Signature: ___________________________________________________________
Printed Name: ________________________________________________________
Date: _______________________________________________________________
