Applications, assignments, and deadlines for EDCI 201, PSY 323, and SPED 339 differ slightly.  Teaching Fellows application process is initiated through the Office of Teaching Fellows. Be certain to use the correct form. All students are responsible for their transportation to and from the observation location.

There are two options for completing this requirement.  Both options require the following forms to first be completed:

TaskStream:
Please watch this video that shows the application process in TaskStream: http://www.youtube.com/CEAPatWCU#p/c/0932CD4ADF1361E8/2/dZqIMpKjlC0

• Go to the Professional Education Sequence Portfolio folder
• Fill out the EDCI 201 Field Experience Application and attach all appropriate files.

Hard copy forms to be completed and returned to the Office of Field Experience:

• Contract (pdf) - due with application for Self Placement or by February 17.
• Timesheet (pdf) - due April 20, 2012 (Timesheets should be signed by Cooperating Teacher at each visit. Timesheets are needed for 14 hours of observation.)

Option 1: Self placement:   Students can make arrangements to complete this at their home county school during WCU Semester Breaks (Fall & Spring Break) with prior approval of the school.  Self-placement also applies to those students employed in the schools where they are completing observations.  This is most commonly completed in 2 full days of observation of all school activities including class experiences and lunch duty.  Note that if you are self-placing, you must turn in your contract with the host school at the time you complete your TaskStream application is made.  This signed form goes directly to the Office of Field Experiences.  Your placement will not be considered complete until we have both the TaskStream application including background check and the signed paper contract.  This option is for schools in your home area where you preferably have connections.  Do not call local schools just because you want a close placement.  We already have a list of volunteer teachers at the local schools and these placements are made by our office on a first come first serve basis.  Your calls to these busy schools will not only result in no placement, but will contribute to a negative reputation at a school where you may want to complete your internship, thus closing that door.

Option 2:  Office of Field Experiences Placement: Students can request the Office of Field Experiences to make a placement in the Western North Carolina region from a pool of volunteer teachers at partner schools.  These usually are completed in a series of 2-4 hour long observation blocks.   Applications are taken on a first come first service basis with placements beginning the second week in the semester.  In the case of Teaching Fellows, these placements are made by the Teaching Fellows Program.

Alternative Assignments:
With instructor permission, students can earn up to half of their observations in a non-class setting with school age children.  Examples include coaching, helping with Special Olympics, or music majors working with the annual Tournament of Champions.  An approved alternative assignment form is required with the application.

Host Teacher Evaluations of Students:
Host teachers will be asked to evaluate each student at the end of the observation. The results will be available to both course professors and advisers. Negative evaluations or improper behavior can result in reduced grade, removal from the observation placement or, in extreme cases, removal from the education program. Professional behavior is expected at all times.

April 20, 2012 deadline:

• Evaluation of Host Teacher by Student- Complete via TaskStream.
• The following day professors will be advised which students have not completed their Field Experience Requirement. At that point, students with missing hours or paperwork will need to appeal to the Associate Dean to receive course credit.