Western Carolina University

 

1.  WHAT IS THE LENGTH OF MY INTERNSHIP / STUDENT TEACHING PLACEMENT? 

Programs have varying program requirements, for more information please contact your Advisor, Program Coordinator, or Academic Department.  Generally for initial licensure you should plan to being the firt teacher work day and finish the last day of WCU classes.

2.  HOW AND WHEN WILL I FIND OUT WHO MY UNIVERSITY SUPERVISOR IS? 

You will be contacted by your University Supervisor within the first two weeks of Internship / Student Teaching.  If you have not heard from your University Supervisor after this time, please contact the Director of Field Experience. 

3.  MAY I SUBSTITUTE TEACH AT THE SCHOOL WHERE I'M AN INTERN or STUDENT TEACHER*?

Internship I students may not substitute teach on the days they are assigned to a school. They may substitute teach on days they are not in class at WCU or required to be at the host school for internship. Students should check with the school to inquire about requirements and pay for substitute teaching.

Internship II or Student Teachesr may substitute teach a maximum of five days only after they have been full-time teaching for two weeks. Students are only allowed to substitute for the cooperating teacher in the classroom in which they are placed until the last two weeks of the term.  Variations to this should be cleared in advance with the Director of Field Experiences.

Please see the Internship / Student Teaching Handbook for more information.

*Not applicable for lateral entry teachers

4. WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I'M ABSENT?

During Intern I, if an intern misses more than two days in the assigned school, the student should notify the university supervisor in writing via letter or email. If the absences are not immediately made up, the university supervisor, cooperating teacher, program coordinator/department head, and Director of Field Experiences will develop an action plan for the student. If the student fails to meet the established terms of the plan, s/he will be removed from the internship. Interns are required to make up time missed according to a schedule approved by the cooperating teacher and university/academic supervisor(s). A pattern of tardiness or early departure is treated like an absence.

During Intern II / Student Teaching, no absences for personal business are allowed. If the intern or student teacher misses more than three days, a written explanation of the absences must be submitted to the university supervisor. If a plan for making up the absences is not immediately implemented, the university supervisor, cooperating teacher, program coordinator or department head, and Director of Field Experiences will develop an action plan for the student. If the student fails to meet the requirements of the contract s/he will be removed from the internship. Students are not to leave their assignment unless the Director of Field Experiences is notified in writing, and the university/academic supervisor(s) and cooperating teacher have specifically approved a professional, temporary assignment elsewhere (i.e. professional conference, employment fair, or observation in another setting).

Please see the Internship and Student Teaching Handbook for more information.

5. MAY I TAKE A CLASS WHILE I'M IN INTERNSHIP or STUDENT TEACHING?

Because of the demanding nature of student teaching, we do not recommend that you take any classes during your Intern II / Student Teaching experience. In fact, in most cases, it would not be possible for you to take a class while student teaching, since most classes meet during the time when you are required to be teaching. However, if you need to take a class while you are student teaching, you will need to gain approval from your advisor and/or your program’s Department Head as well as the Director of Field Eperiences.

6. MAY I PARTICIPATE IN EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVIES WHILE I'M IN INTERNSHIP or STUDENT TEACHING?

Student teaching is a full-time commitment that leaves very little time for extra-curricular pursuits. Therefore, Students are strongly discouraged from taking on extra duties that may interfere with their performance in their placement. If extra-curricular activities appear to be having a negative impact on the teacher candidates’ internship responsibilities, they may be removed from the school.

7. MAY I WORK A PART-TIME JOB WHILE I'M IN INTERNSHIP or STUDENT TEACHING?

Student teaching is a full-time commitment that leaves very little time for other business. Therefore, Students are strongly discouraged from taking on part-time employment that may interfere with their performance in their placement. If work appears to be having a negative impact on the teacher candidates’ internship responsibilities, they may be removed from the school.      

8. HOW IS MY GRADE FOR STUDENT TEACHING DETERMINED?

Your University Supervisor is responsible for reporting the grade that you earn during your student teaching experience. Your University Supervisor, in consultation with your Cooperating Teacher, evaluates your performance based upon observations of your teaching and upon other assignments that you may complete during your placement.  Interns and Student Teachers should review the evaluation instruments at the beginning of the semester. Evaluation instruments may include checklists, grade sheets, observation forms, and the Certification of Teaching Capacity document.  The Office of Field Experiences does not play any role in determining your student teaching grade.

9.  HOW CAN I OFFER FEEDBACK ON MY INTERNSHIP or STUDENT TEACHING EXPERIENCE?

Near the end of the semester, you will receive an email containing a link to CoursEval which will allow you to evaluate your student teaching experience and offer feedback to your programs. Students are strongly encouraged to participate in this survey.  In addition, the College of Education and Allied Professions will be sending a survey about your overall learning experience.

10.  WHERE CAN I FIND INFORMATION ABOUT APPLYING FOR A TEACHING LICENSE?

Please visit the Teacher and School Professional Licensure webpage.  If you have a specific question, please contact Barbara Schade at bschade@wcu.edu or (828) 227-2000.