Program Coordinator

Role of the VIL Program Coordinator

At PSU, the VIL Program Coordinator is a professional with a doctorate who is responsible for program alignment and development as well as contributing to the field through research, teaching, and professional service. Throughout the practicum experience, PSU’s VIL Program Coordinator responsibilities are as follows:

• Assist in coordinating Affiliation Agreements in collaboration with the field placement office within the College of Education;

• Monitor instructors and provide assistance as necessary;

• Address any programmatic, procedural or placement questions or issues;

• Propose and approve any major changes made in field experience procedures;

• Monitor OSEP grants and scholarships;

• Review VIL courses and ensure they align with CEC standards;

• Update the VIL field experiences handbook, as needed;

• Provide virtual consultations, trainings, and supports to cooperating teachers and university supervisors as they support candidates;

• Support teacher candidates, cooperating teachers, and university supervisors in accessing and using technologies that support the course, including Candidate Field Experiences Portfolio and Tk20;

• Coordinate 11 hours of professional development offered to University Supervisors each year; and

• Provide  programmatic documentation to internal and external reviewers, professionals agencies, federal and state funders, and to the Pacific and Northwest Consortium for Vision Educators (PNWCVE).

It is important that the PSU VIL program coordinator be contacted immediately if it appears the VIL Candidate is not doing passing-level work, or if any problems arise throughout the practicum or internship experience.  The program coordinator is Dr. Holly Lawson, and her email is hlawson@pdx.edu.