Fieldwork Observation - ETSS
Fieldwork Observation - ETSS
Embedded Files
All students enrolled in the Dual BS/MA and MA programs leading to teacher certification are required to complete classroom observation hours as follows:
Students in MA-EDTA or the Dual BS/MA leading to theatre certification must complete 50 hours of Fieldwork Observation in association with each of the two Dramatic Activities courses (100 hours in total).
Students in MA-ETED, MA-ETSS, or the Dual BS/MA leading to theatre and English certification must complete 75 hours of Fieldwork Observation in association with each of the two Dramatic Activities courses (150 hours in total).
Fingerprinting
Fingerprinting
Prior to completing these observation hours, you must be fingerprinted by the DOE via the PETS process. Information on the fingerprinting process is available here.
Contact the NYU Office of School and Community Partnerships if you have questions about this process: PartnershipsOffice@nyu.edu
Observation Details
Observation Details
These hours can be completed any number of ways, so long as they involve the NYU student being present in an educational environment with young people, ages 4 – 18. As theatre certification in New York State is for all grades, we strongly encourage students to observe in elementary, middle, and high school settings.
Students are free to arrange these observations on their own.
Students may liaise with the NYU Educational Theatre faculty to obtain a list of partner schools with theatre programs.
Students in the dual certification programs need to complete observations for both content areas (you do not need to divide the time evenly) – but you will need to contact the NYU Office of School and Community Partnerships for observation sites for English or Social Studies: PartnershipsOffice@nyu.edu
Each time the student observes at a site, the student must log the hours on the Field Observation Log. When the required hours are complete, the student should make a copy of the completed form and turn it in to their academic advisor. If you are intending to student teach starting in the fall semester, all required hours must be completed by April 1. If you are intending to student teach starting in the spring semester, all required hours must be completed by November 1.
Expectations for Arranging Observations
Expectations for Arranging Observations
When contacting teachers and scheduling observations, here are some important considerations to keep in mind:
Contact teachers when school is in session; never when school is on break or on weekends.
If you contact a teacher, wait a week for a response. If you haven’t heard back from them, you can send ONE follow-up email. If you still do not hear from them, assume they are not available and contact another teacher.
If you schedule an observation with a teacher, you MUST attend. They are allowing you at the school as a courtesy and unless you are seriously ill, you need to be there when you say you will be there.
Take notes on what you observe about the teacher’s curriculum and pedagogy. There may be opportunities to discuss these observations with your peers in your courses.
You are there to observe the teacher’s class as unobstructively as possible. Do not talk to the students unless the teacher invites you to do so. Do not expect the teacher to engage in extended conversation with you as they are working (even when the students aren’t present).
Many of the recommended schools are potential student teaching placements or they may be potential job sites down the road. As such, approach these visits like a job interview. Dress appropriately. Be mindful that you are being observed as well and that you are representing NYU Steinhardt. We have long standing relationships with these schools and teachers and it’s important that we present ourselves appropriately at all times.
When contacting teachers to observe at their school, you should send a version of this form email:
Dear ___________________,
My name is _______________ and I am currently a student at NYU. This semester, I am enrolled in a teacher certification program in Educational Theatre which requires me to complete observations in a related teaching and learning setting. I am very interested in completing some of my observation hours in your classroom/learning space (or with your organization).
If you are willing and able to host a student observer, please let me know how you would like to proceed. I can be reached at this email address and my phone number is ___________. Feel free to contact me as you see fit. My general availability is as follows: __________ (times and days).
Thank you so much for your consideration. I hope to hear from you soon.
______________________
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