Pre-service education focuses on all aspects of the teacher education program prior to graduation. WCU’s pre-service students have extensive early field experiences beginning with their first education course during their sophomore year. As they progress through the professional education sequence there are additional opportunities to observe and work with public school students in a variety of settings.
Pre-service students at Western also are required to complete a Diversity Experience Requirement. Workshops, seminars, and programs are designed for them to learn how to work with culturally diverse populations. Interns may also apply to attend the Raising Achievement and Closing Gaps Conference in Greensboro each spring.
Each partnership school designates a faculty or staff member as liaison. Liaisons facilitate communication between CEAP and partnership schools. They also collaborate with the director of field experiences to place students for internship, student teaching, and field-based experiences.
The Office of Field Experiences and partnership liaisons work together to find the best student teaching and internship placements for our students. Cooperating teachers and university supervisors attend an orientation to the program to become familiar with the handbook and intern/student teacher expectations.
The SUTEP Pre-service Committee, engages public school teachers and administrators with WCU personnel to ensure that teacher candidates are well prepared to meet the demands of 21st century schools.