Western Carolina University

1. Where will I be placed?

Every effort is made to make early field placements in a setting approximating that in which they will eventually student teach.  As candidates progress through their series of field experiences from EDCI 201 through internship or student teaching, we strive to provide a variety of experiences in different schools, grade levels, and subjects as applicable and available.  Residential students are restricted to our Regional School Partnership Systems. 

  2. What about transportation?

ALL STUDENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR PROVIDING THEIR OWN TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM THEIR FIELD EXPERIENCE SITES.  A student may pair with another student in the same licensure are to request placement in the same school in order to carpool.   Both students must include the names of other car pool participant in their application comments.

3. Can I do part of my experience outside the classroom?

Alternative Assignments/Settings: Form available here - requires pre-approval before the early field experience deadline. Students taking any course with an early field experience component may be given permission by their host teacher and course instructor to complete up to half of their field experience hours required hours for the course in an alternative setting or assignment in the school in which they are placed. The alternative setting or assignment must, however, be related to their area of study and the course in which they are enrolled with an approved application form in advance.   UP program and Farm to School participation do not require Alternative Assignment forms.  All hours must be recorded on a timesheet and submitted by the timesheet deadline. 

4. How do I apply? 

All Early Field Experience Applications are submitted via TaskStream. 

Undergraduate ELEM/MG "Block" Practicum applications are submitted the preceding semester after registration. All other Early Field Experiences Applications are open the first day of class.  See the web page for each specific type of experience for instructions.

5. How do I receive my placement information?

You will receive your placement information via your catamount e-mail account.  You are responsible for checking this account on a regular basis per university policy.  Placement information and additional important information will be sent to this account throughout the semester.  Early Field Experience information is sent out beginning the eleventh day of the semester.  Later applications and unusual placements may take longer.

6. How do I contact my host teacher?

Contact your host teacher as soon as possible, but within one week of receiving your placement to confirm schedule.  You will receive an e-mail address for the teacher.  Be aware that not all teachers regularly use their school e-mail and may not send an immediate reply.  If you have not heard back after three days call the school secretary and ask when the teacher is free or call before or after school hours, asking of the teacher is available.

7. What forms do I need once I begin my placement?

There are two forms required for EDCI 201, PSY 323, or SPED 339.  The first, the contract, should be completed with your host teacher at the first observation or earlier.  Students in EDCI 201 who have placed themselves outside our region will have already completed this as part of the application process.  The second form is a timesheet which should be completed as the semester progresses.  Do not wait until the end of the semester to get the teacher's signature!

8. What about timesheet deadlines?

Pay close attention to the timesheet deadline.  Excess time from one semester cannot be transferred to another.  Students are NOT permitted to turn in timesheets with visits which have not occurred signed off on by the teacher. In no case should a student sign the timesheet for the teacher. This is a very serious offense and could result in administrative action.  Students failing to turn in final timesheets with appropriate signatures and completed hours by the due date will automatically fail the course. Students not completing the required number of hours will automatically fail the course. Appeals should be made to the Director of Field Experiences.  

9. What professional behaviors are expected in the classroom?

• Communication with Host Teacher:  Establish contact as early as possible.  Use appropriate grammar, punctuation and spelling in emails.  Respect the teacher's time.  Make emails brief and to the point.  Do not expect the teacher to change class schedule for your convenience.  Thank the teacher for allowing you to visit.
• Conduct: While in school, students are expected to be professional in deportment and engaged in the classroom experience. As guests of the school, all students must adhere to the rules and regulations of the school system and its Board of Education.
• Dress: It is expected that students will dress appropriately, modestly and respectfully. Students who are deemed inappropriately dressed may be asked to leave the school premises and will not be permitted to return until they are appropriately dressed.
• Cell Phones:  Use of cell phones is forbidden in the school. No texting during classroom visits. 
• Social Media:  Students are not permitted to "friend" students or staff or discuss the observation experience via any social networking system.

10. What if I need to be late or absent?

Immediately contact your host teacher if you will be late or absent. Phone the school and email the teacher. All personal absences, snow days, teacher workdays, and school and national holidays must be made up at a time mutually convenient for the student and classroom teacher. Students also are expected to determine the dates for school holidays and teacher workdays early in the semester.

11. What am I expected to do for my field experience?

Check out the listing of Early Field Experience Course Requirements .  Your course instructor makes assignments to be completed in the field placement.  Non-education majors are still required to complete all course assignments related to their field experience.

12. How will teachers evaluate me?

At the end of every semester, students will be evaluated by the classroom teacher who hosted them for the semester.  Areas of evaluation include:

• Willingness of student to participate,
• Promptness,
• Attendance,
• Conduct,
• Recommendations for the student, and
• Overall performance in the program.

The evaluation is made available for the student's review, after which it is filed in the Office of Field Experiences and in the student's major department and becomes part of the TaskStream Electronic Portfolio. All students are strongly encouraged to review their evaluations after each semester of field experiences. Your university professor and adviser will have access to your evaluation.  Grades may be changed at the professor’s discretion based on evaluations.  All evaluations are reviewed by the Director of Field Experience with referrals to the Associate Dean of the College of Education and Allied Professions where appropriate. Students also will have the opportunity to evaluate their field experience situation.

13.  How can I be successful in my placement?

Show respect for the teacher and all school personnel as described in #9 above. Complete assignments as directed by your course instructor. Submit timesheet by due date if applicable to the course.