Responsibilities Overview for Internship I

✅ Step 1: Confirm You Meet the Requirements to Serve as a Clinical Educator

Clinical Educators are carefully selected professionals who model effective teaching and mentoring for WCU’s teacher candidates. To ensure a high-quality experience for both you and your intern, please confirm that you meet the following qualifications:

Administrative & University Approval:

• You have been recommended by your school’s administrative team and approved by your program coordinator and the WCU Director of Field Experiences.

Professional Licensure:

• You hold a current professional educator’s license in the same area as your intern’s licensure program.

Teaching Experience:

• You have at least three years of successful classroom teaching experience.

Commitment to Mentoring:

• You are enthusiastic about supporting, guiding, and developing pre-service teachers as they grow into confident, effective educators.

Demonstrated Effectiveness:

• You have earned ratings of “Accomplished” or higher on your most recent formal evaluations through the North Carolina Teacher Evaluation System (NCTES).

🌟 If you meet these criteria, you are qualified to mentor the next generation of educators — thank you for your leadership and dedication!

🧭 2. Complete the Required Clinical Educator Training

All Clinical Educators must complete the Clinical Educator Training each semester they host a WCU intern. This training ensures that all mentors are familiar with current expectations, supervision best practices, and program updates.

✅ To Do:

• Complete the online Clinical Educator Training Module.

• Submit the Training Submission Form at the end of the module.

📚 3. Review & Provide Weekly Feedback

Your ongoing feedback is vital to your intern’s growth as a professional educator.

Each week, please:

• Review lesson plans before instruction to ensure alignment with standards and sound instructional design.

• Provide timely and constructive feedback on teaching, planning, and classroom management.

• Encourage reflection and goal-setting to help your intern identify strengths and areas for growth.

🗣️ Consistent communication and feedback help your intern develop confidence and instructional effectiveness.

🎥 4. Support REQUIRE Videotaping

During Internship I:

• Birth-Kindergarten candidates will record lessons as part of their edTPA portfolio.

• All other programs may record lesson segments as part of their mock edTPA and other related course assignments.

As the Clinical Educator, please assist by:

• Helping your intern secure video permissions using WCU-approved forms.

• Ensuring recordings follow school and district policies on student privacy and media use.

• Providing logistical support (e.g., quiet space, recording device setup).

🎬 Note: The goal is to help the intern document authentic teaching and learning — not to stage a perfect lesson.

🔗 More Video and edTPA Support Resources

📝 5. Complete Two Formal Observations

Clinical Educators are responsible for completing two formal observations of their Intern I during the semester.

Observation Schedule:

• 1 observation prior to the Midterm Conference

• 1 observation before the Final Conference

What to Do:

1. Use the Intern I Observation Form for each observation.

   • WCU Intern I Observation Form (MS Word)

   • WCU Intern I Observation Form (Google Doc) - Make a Copy to have the file automatically opened and saved in your Google Drive.

2. Provide written feedback and discuss it with your intern after each observation.

3. 🔗 Submit Observation Form via the Observation Submission Portal. 

🔗 View Step-By-Step Submission Instructions

💡 Observations are a powerful tool for growth. Use them to highlight progress, encourage reflection, and guide next steps in development.

⏰ 6. Monitor Intern Progress

Throughout the semester, please help your intern stay on track by:

• Checking progress against program-specific deadlines and checklists.

• Reviewing lesson plans, reflection logs, and any required documentation.

• Encouraging professional goal-setting and time management.

⚠️ 7. Report Concerns Promptly

If any issues arise related to performance, professionalism, attendance, or conduct:

1. Notify the University Field Supervisor immediately.

2. Work together to create an action plan to support the intern’s improvement.

3. If challenges persist or require additional intervention, contact the Director of Field Experiences directly.

🧩 Early communication helps ensure the best outcomes for both the intern and the classroom.

🗓️ 8. Participate in Midterm & Final Evaluations

Clinical Educators play an important role in the evaluation process.

Please plan to attend both the Midterm and Final Evaluation Conferences with your intern and their Field Supervisor.

What to Expect:

• Evaluation forms will be sent to you via email before each conference.

• You will collaborate to assess your intern’s growth, strengths, and next steps.

• Your input directly informs the intern’s progress and final grade recommendation.

💡 10. Stay Connected and Supported

Bookmark this page — it’s your one-stop hub for all things Internship I!

If you have ideas for additional resources or improvements to the site, please share them — your feedback helps us better support you and your interns!