During this stage you are an observer in a variety of educational settings. You are expected to complete these observations in conjunction with your 100 level classes. There must be a range of school and classroom experiences. (e.g., urban, suburban, rural, high- and low-performing schools) This is to ensure that you have a broad experience and learn as much as possible about K-12 learners and K-12 education philosophy.
During this stage you will complete required hours as a part of your 200 level classes. These explorations are more focused on specific content. This stage would also occur before admission to the teacher preparation program
Undergraduate students in the teacher preparation programs will find important information on this page related to the completion of classroom observations.
These observations take place during their Freshman and Sophomore year in conjunction with specfic courses. The Pennsylvania Department of Education refers to the observation stage in teacher preparation as stages 1 and 2.
Course instructors will notify students if there are required Observation Hours.
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s School Code requires that students in teacher preparation programs have current background checks on file before entering a school building for observational or instructional purposes. Holy Family University contracts with American DataBank for the collection, review, and maintenance of student clearances. Students completing school-site observations as partial fulfillment of course requirements must first register their clearances with American DataBank. When submitting reports of completed observations to course instructors, students must attach their compliance report from American DataBank to their submission. A compliance report is forwarded to students automatically once their clearance file has been opened and approved.
Teacher candidates should be aware of the following as they advance through their program of studies.
At the time a candidate applies for admission to the School of Education, the candidate must have his or her clearances registered with American DataBank and each clearance must be current within one calendar year of the date of application.
At the time a candidate begins either Practicum or Student Teaching, the candidate must have his or her clearances registered with American DataBank and each clearance must be current within one calendar year of the start of each experience. These clearances must be for employment purposes at the time the student begins their first Practicum Experience through Student Teaching.
The below link is a sample document that can be used to record hours of observation in the field. Students should discuss the use of this form with their classroom instructor before adoption.
The below link is a sample letter of introduction that instructors can use to assist their students in securing observation placements. Students should discuss entry strategies with their classroom instructor before using this sample letter.