This is a concurrent capstone Course in the CTE Education Pathway. Students will need to be enrolled in its sibling courses - Advanced Teaching Practices Honors or Foundations of Education. This course provides advanced students in 11th and 12th grade with an opportunity to understand learning and teaching in its practical application. Students will explore growth and development, major learning theories, principles of learning and teaching, classroom management techniques, and strategies for lesson planning and development.  They will complete extensive observations and evaluations of mentor teachers to better understand teaching practice and the application of learned theories and strategies. In addition, they will complete a minimum of 60 hours of fieldwork in a classroom under the guidance of a mentor teacher. This fieldwork will consist of implementing their lesson plans and activities designed for content area courses. This course reinforces standards in reading, writing, speaking, listening, mathematics, social studies, and science and requires their application in educational settings. Students will be required to practice communication, ethics, interpersonal/team skills, critical thinking and problem-solving, self-management, professionalism, and classroom safety. The students in this course will be key participants in building an academic culture.

The course is composed of four components that will occur concurrently throughout the year:

1. Principles of Learning and Teaching

2. Classroom Observations

3. Fieldwork

4. Reflection

Course Goals and Major Student Outcomes

Students

• Think critically and solve problems to deepen their ability to analyze current classroom practices and situations

• Produce essays, oral presentations, and projects

• Participate in group discussions/projects

• Complete and reflect on an internship in a PreK-8 classroom

• Clearly articulate a personal philosophy of education, defending beliefs by citing appropriate theories and research.

• Create a final portfolio showcasing the internship experience, leadership skills, and best work.

• Understand the components of professionalism and how to practice professional behaviors