As a part of the process of becoming a highly qualified professional in the field of education, Student Teachers must possess knowledge of content, pedagogy, and best practices in education. They also must observe, apply, and reflect upon their ability to implement these concepts on a variety of levels to increase their understanding of the teaching profession. The Student Teaching Experience is designed for you, the Student Teacher, as an opportunity to work collaboratively in a professional partnership with a Mentor Teacher under the supervision of a ACE Field Supervisor. The experience allows you to assume the roles and responsibilities of a teacher.
Throughout the program, students will complete activities and assessments which are aligned to the MAT/T2T program outcomes which follow the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) Core Propositions. The outcomes are:
- Design and deliver instruction that is responsive to student diversity and differences and promotes high achievement for all students.
- Support the achievement of all students through standards-based, data-driven decision making and integrated, differentiated instruction that effectively uses appropriate technologies and tools.
- Demonstrate in-depth understanding of assessment, and use assessment results to inform instructional decision making.
- Recognize the importance of well-organized, positively managed, and safe learning environments and their impact on instructional effectiveness and student achievement.
- Engage in continuous professional growth, inquiry, and research, and collaborate with others to improve student achievement and maintain the high ethical standards of the teaching profession.
- Use knowledge of scientifically based research to plan and deliver instruction in content areas including reading, language arts, math, science, and social studies for the purpose of improving the achievement of all students.
The Student Teacher will plan and develop lessons based on national and state standards. This includes the development of a two-week long unit in which utilizes differentiated strategies for working with diverse learners and their families; monitor and assess student progress and growth for the purposes of using data to make instructional decisions about interventions, extensions, and re-teaching; manage student behavior and the classroom environment; integrate technology, and interact as a professional within a school culture. The Student Teacher will work in collaboration and maintain continuous communication with your Mentor Teacher and ACE Field Supervisor. This intensive field-based experience is a full-time 15-week experience.
To begin the Student Teaching Experience, ACE graduate students must have:
- Completed all ACE coursework required prior to Student Teaching.
- Maintained a 3.0 GPA in all coursework in the T2T or MAT program.
- Passed all required Benchmarks (Description of Benchmarks can be found in the MAT/T2T Toolbox).
- Submitted an application for the Student Teaching Experience. The application process is described in the MAT/T2T Toolbox.
- Undergone a criminal background check.
- Met all other specific requirements for the district or school for placement.
State Department of Education Requirements
The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) establishes requirements for Indiana educator licensure. American College of Education programs approved by the IDOE for initial educator licensure require clinical experiences which are comprised of both field and student teaching experiences. ACE complies with IDOE degree requirements and all students enrolled in these programs must fulfill Indiana’s clinical experience requirements for degree completion. Students seeking educator licensure in other states may require additional supervised student teaching or clinical hours. Students may request additional supervised hours which ACE will try to accommodate.
Clinical Experience Approval Process
Clinical Experience is defined as any required experience in a school setting including field experiences, and/or student teaching. Students in special circumstances may seek approval to complete their Student Teaching and/or field experiences outside of the jurisdictions listed above. Special circumstances include, but are not limited to Department of Defense schools or American-based International schools.
Student Teaching Candidates must complete the Student Teaching Application four months prior to the term they are scheduled for Student Teaching. This form must be completed by all students planning to Student Teach even if they will be working in their own classrooms. The form is located in the student’s MyACE Portal.
After the form is completed, the Student Teacher will work with the MAT/T2T Coordinator to secure placement. Once placement is secured, the MAT/T2T Coordinator will notify the candidate in writing of the approved placement. A copy of the Student Teaching Application will be filed in the candidate’s academic record.
Professional Licensure
The Master of Arts (MAT) and Transition to Teaching (T2T) programs are approved by the Indiana Department of Education for an initial teacher license. In addition to completion of the MAT/T2T program, Indiana has other teacher licensing requirements, including but not limited to, CPR training and Suicide Prevention Training. For Indiana teacher licensing requirements, see: https://www.in.gov/doe/educators/educator-licensing/.
All certificate completers must first obtain initial teaching licensure in Indiana before applying for a teacher license in the state in which they intended to teach. To obtain a teaching license in Indiana the candidate must have a Social Security Number. Some states may have additional licensure requirements. Students are solely responsible for determining whether they are eligible for initial licensure in the state in which they intend to teach. It is vitally important that students know before enrolling and remain continually aware of their own state licensure requirements. Other information is available on the ACE website.
ACE Student Expectations
Diversity Documentation: Each course that includes a field experience must have the diversity documentation for the experience submitted by the last day of the course. This documentation describes the types of classroom experiences students have completed, including diversity factors such as settings, grade levels, student populations, etc. The diversity tracking form is located in each students’ MyACE Portal. Students who do not submit their diversity documentation by the end of each course with field work will be re-enrolled in the course regardless of the grade they receive.
Submission of assignments: All assignments should be submitted to the Canvas course according to the timeline using Sunday at midnight as the deadline. All work submitted should demonstrate proficiency in written communication skills and meet the criteria outlined in the assignment description. All assignments in Student Teaching must be passed at 80%. This includes completion assignments. Student Teachers are also responsible for setting up the virtual conferences as required for the collaborative team.
Ethical considerations: It is also important the Student Teacher keep in mind that he/she is a guest in the local school environment and, as a student of American College of Education, it is critical his/her actions and attitudes convey the highest professional and ethical standards.
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