Spring 2012 Student Teacher Information Meeting December 1, 2011 Mrs. Staci Fuqua, Director Education Student Services

ESS Web Address Dates Handbook Forms PRAXIS Information Licensure

Dates Orientation Seminars: January 10-12, 2012 February 20, 2012 March 9, 2012 (Mid-Session) April 9, 2012 Specific time details provided on calendar. DRESS PROFESSIONALLY! There are NO excused absences for these days. Do NOT schedule a trip or surgery or other appointments during this time.

Dates, continued January 13 (or before): Meet with your first placement principal and cooperating teacher(s). Call before you go and let them know you will be there. Find out when to arrive, how long to be at school each day, the dress code, lunch arrangements, where to park, and anything else the principal and CT want you to know. Share your assignments for student teaching. Google phone numbers and directions.

Dates, continued First Placement: January 17 – March 8 Second Placement: March 12 – April 27 You will have a spring break at some point. You are not allowed to be absent from student teaching for UTM’s spring break. For those schools with an inter-session, please attend one week of inter-session, even if your CT is not working.

Dates, continued Mid-Semester Seminar: March 9, 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM (Required) Additionally, your supervisor may also schedule a mid-semester seminar. This would be scheduled after school.

Dates, continued Exit Seminar/Reception: April 25, 2012 The exit seminar with Dr. Beth Quick, Dept. Chair, will take place at 4:00. This is a whole group seminar with Dr. Quick. You will also have an individual meeting with your supervisor, who will inform you of the date and time. Immediately after the exit seminar, we will start the reception.

Final Exit Conference with University Supervisor Final exit conference with University Supervisor will be held April 30 - May 2 Your supervisor will inform you of date, time, and location.

Absences For each absence, you must notify your CT, principal, supervisor, and me. Seminar days scheduled by me, professional development days, conferences scheduled by your school, parent-teacher conferences, and in- service days are not counted as absences. Only contagious illness and death in the immediate family are excused. I will entertain excuses on a case-by-case basis and may require a doctor’s note. You will make up all unexcused absences and any excused absences over 5, no matter what the cause and no matter who approves the absence.

Student Teaching Handbook and Student Teaching Forms Print one copy of the handbook and bring to orientation. You may want to have it bound in the LRC in the Paul Meek Library. Read and study it. Failure to adhere to student teaching policy could result in removal from student teaching. Print ONE copy of EACH form and bring to orientation. Read and study each form. Prepare questions.

PRAXIS Information View Praxis info for information and test requirements for Tennessee. Upcoming PRAXIS Dates: Check the ETS website. Notice that registration is typically about a month before the test date. YOU ARE REQUIRED TO ATTEMPT YOUR CONTENT AREA PRAXIS BEFORE GRADUATION!!!!

Praxis II Content Area Everyone has a Praxis II content area exam that is also your exit exam for graduation. Check the ESS website ( call 7203 (Gooch 205) or talk with your advisor for the test with an asterisk (*) if you are not sure what your content area/exit exam is. Music, Art, Dance, and FCS, check using the above options also. Everyone must TAKE it for graduation. You must PASS it (and any others required by the state) in order to get a teaching license.

Praxis II - PLT Everyone must take one of the PLT tests for licensure. Check in Gooch 205 if you are unsure which one is required for your program. If you are in a K-12 program, you may choose any of the PLT exams. Go on the Praxis web site and try the practice exams to help you decide which one to take. The library also has practice tests.

When to Take Praxis II You should have already taken your *content area/exit exam. If not, register NOW for it. The Records Office has to have your score or proof that you have taken it before the end of April. The best time to take the PLT for you is NOW. If you can only take one test soon, take the *content area/exit exam first.

Licensure Mrs. Jenny Hahn is our Licensure Coordinator. She will attend mid session seminar in March and help you complete the application for licensure. How many of you have taken the PLT? Your * test? All Praxis exams? Is there anyone who has passed all of your Praxis II, including PLT?

Student Teaching Assignments PreK-K Radius Changes Schools Attended Notification University Supervisors

PreK and K Assignments All K-6 MSIL students must have a K assignment because they do not take K-Prac. I generally request PreK for PreK-3 majors and grades 1-3 for K-6 majors instead of K for the lower grade placement. Especially in the fall, I need all kindergartens that are nearby for K-Prac. Secondary students (7-12) will have a middle school and a high school placement (except Ag., FCS, and Business). K-12 majors will have placement in two different school levels (SPED and PE).

Radius Placements are typically assigned within a 60-mile radius. University Supervisors must be able to drive easily to placements. Expect some driving. That way, you’ll be pleasantly surprised if you don’t have to!

Changes All placements have been requested, most of them are confirmed. Per state and university policy, the Director of Field Placements is the only person who requests placements; placements are made through principals and other administrators, NOT through cooperating teachers. You may NOT request your own placement!

Additional Policies According to placement policy, student teachers may not be placed in schools which they themselves attended or in schools where relatives, children, or siblings currently attend/work. Student teachers may not be placed where they have been employed.

Notification of Placements You will be notified via once placements are confirmed. The will come from me or Everyone will be given final placement and University Supervisor details at orientation. Contact your first placement no earlier than January 4 th (if you know it) and let them know you will arrive on January 17 th and would like to schedule a visit before that time to meet the principal and CT. If you can schedule it for January 13th that will be preferred.

Meeting with Principal and CT Ask about hours, parking, lunch arrangements, dress code, and policies. Ask to see textbooks. Record publisher, title, and edition information for each subject. The LRC has Tennessee textbooks and resources. Ask the principal and CT for other information they want you to know. The cooperating teacher packet will be given to CT by Univ. Supervisor. Share contact information for you, your supervisor, and our office. TREAT THIS MEETING AS AN OFFICIAL INTERVIEW!

The following dispositions characterize the UTM teacher education UG and G candidate: Communicates effectively, both orally and in writing. Attends and is punctual for all classes and field experiences. Demonstrates positive interactions with peers, faculty, and P-12 school personnel. Accepts constructive criticism. Changes behavior in response to faculty suggestions.

Dispositions, continued Assumes responsibility. Analyzes problems critically and attempts to resolve them independently. Exhibits interest in the learner and enthusiasm for the learning process. Adheres to professional guidelines regarding academic conduct. (PLAGIARISM IS AN OFFENSE!) Adheres to established guidelines for the Teacher Education Program.

Criminal Background Checks Everyone should already have this.  If not, Due NOW! YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO STUDENT TEACH UNTIL I HAVE BOTH ON FILE.

Grade/Prerequisite Checks I have already performed my first grade/prerequisite check for all students. If I have found an issue, I have sent you an . I will perform my final check when fall grades are submitted. All course prerequisites must be completed with a passing grade. Anyone receiving an “F” or an “I” in a prerequisite course will not be allowed to student teach. NO EXCEPTIONS!

Materials to Bring to Orientation Student Teaching Handbook All Student Teaching Forms and Student Teaching Handbook Highlighters, Post-It’s, a calendar A check for STEA (if needed-We will discuss at orientation) **I will send everyone a reminder the week before seminar begins.

Planning Ahead Appropriate clothing Gas money Child care for emergencies for those with children of your own. Focus on student teaching and not on other coursework and outside jobs. Medical appointments - no excused absences for checkups of any kind.

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow! For information regarding weather related issues, please check the UT Martin homepage or your . Make-up days for snow days missed during your placement will be evaluated before the end of the term. Making up days depends on the number of days missed. Don’t worry about this! I will let you know my decision.

Questions????