1. Internship/Student Teaching Application Workshop for Spring 2014 Placement Application Deadline: Friday, September 13 at 5:00p.m. Some programs have earlier deadlines. Office of Field Experiences OFE. wcu. edu Killian Suite 201, Cullowhee, NC 28723 828-227-7314 ofe @ wcu. edu

2. CHECK WITH YOUR PROGRAM ADVISOR. ARE YOU ELIGIBILE?

3. Undergraduate Application Eligibility Requirements 1.Admission to the Teacher Education Program – including Praxis I requirement 2.Acceptable program GPA 3.Completed ENGL 202 or equivalent with at least a “C” 4.Completed PSY 323 or SPED 339 or equivalent with at least a “C” DO NOT apply if you have not met all of the above – Your application will be returned unprocessed If you have special circumstances concerning any but the Teacher Education Admission, make an appointment with the Director of Field Experiences.

4. Application Process

5. Not Employed in Classroom 1.Review application and instructions on ofe.wcu.edu 2.Subscribe to TaskStream. 3.Order criminal background check (takes 3-5 business days) 4.Make appointment with advisor for application form 5.Prepare résumé and have reviewed by Career Services (takes time for review) 6.Complete TaskStream – in your program licensure portfolio 1.Attach pdf file background check report from Certifiedbackground.com 2.Attach reviewed Microsoft Word résumé including 3 professional references 3.Complete electronic information form 4.Click “submit” and submit to CEAP Master 7.Meet with advisor and obtain required signatures 8.Submit to Office of Field Experiences by 5:00 pm. (Department may submit for you if that is their practice)

6. School Interviews During the placement process you may be called for an interview. Have a professional ringback and voice mail set up in case you get this call. Listen to the message before you call back. Professional behavior is expected at all times in any contact with our school partners. Under no circumstances may you contact a school administrator or teacher to arrange your own placement!!

7. Background Checks Package Code : CU 98 re Self disclosure – if you are arrested after background check, notify the Director of Field Experiences within 72 hours.

8. Available School Systems For Residential Program Students – including commuters Buncombe Asheville CityAsheville City Cherokee CountyCherokee County Cherokee CentralCherokee Central drug test required Clay Graham Haywood Henderson Jackson Macon Madison McDowell Mitchell Polk Rutherford Swain Transylvania Yancey

9. Buncombe County Schools Buncombe County requires the NC Health Certificate at the time of application. An additional release form is required by OFE. If Buncombe County Schools is listed as one of your requested locations, the health form and release form must be attached to your application at the time of submission. Health exams can be completed at the WCU health center for full - time residential program students. Be certain to bring the form with personal information completed to the appointment.

10. Employed in Classroom Different Application Procedure No TaskStream Paper Application Form Paper Site Supervisor Form Check with your Human Resources. Some systems do not allow Student Teaching in your own classroom or school. Some systems require that you take unpaid leave. Check with your HR.

11. Application Deadline Friday, September 13 at 5:00p.m. Incomplete applications will not be accepted or processed. Plan carefully to ensure meeting deadline and to avoid delaying your progress toward program completion. Some portions of the application require several days to complete. If you do not qualify, please do not apply. Application will be returned.

12. What to Expect It takes 1-3 months after the deadline to establish and confirm placements, depending on the school/school system. Principals make the final decision about which students to host. It may take 1-3 attempts to place. A professional application, including résumé, is critical to the placement process. We send notification information to you via catamount email. Some placements change after confirmation due to personnel changes and other unforeseen circumstances. Affected students are notified as soon as possible.

13. Preparing for Internship/Student Teaching Review electronic Internship/Student Teaching Handbook at OFE.wcu.edu. Complete Health Certificate and submit directly to principal the first day of Internship. http://www.wcu.edu/WebFiles/PDFs/OFE_HealthForm.pdf Unless placement was requested in Buncombe County Schools, do not bring health certificate to the OFE.

14. Contact Cooperating Teacher Check the school website and contact your cooperating teacher to introduce yourself and thank him / her for working with you. Share contact information ( email, cell #) Establish clear expectations for the first day you will arrive at the school. Intern I - First week of WCU classes. Intern II - First day your teacher returns.

15. SOCIAL MEDIA Principals have the right to cancel placements at any time. Do not risk losing your placement ! Do Not “ Friend ” Students Do Not “ Friend ” Fellow Teachers & Staff Do Not mention anything about the school, the students, or the staff even on “ private ” account Remember – assume that anything you have in any electronic format is public.

16. OFE Contact Information Director:Mary Beth Decatur Website:ofe.wcu.eduofe.wcu.edu E-mail: ofe@wcu.eduofe@wcu.edu Office of Field Experiences 201 Killian, Cullowhee, NC 28723 Phone:(828) 227-7314 Fax:(828) 227-7610