Teacher Education Field Experiences

WSU Teacher Education Candidates complete four practicums or internships over the course of four semesters within the Teacher Education Program:

Core 1 Practicum (CI 315, 1 credit hour):  Fall semester, junior year -- Attendance and appropriate participation for a minimum of 3 hours a week in a classroom with a Mentor Teacher (MT) licensed in the candidate’s content area.  Candidates engage in the following activities:

• Observe classroom routines and procedures and co-teach with the MT when appropriate

• Interview MT about classroom routines and procedures (interview may occur either in person, by phone, and/or by email)

• Plan, teach, and reflect on 1-2 lessons (e.g., a lesson opener or wrap-up)

• Observe district, building, and classroom factors influencing instruction and teacher decision-making

• Observe how school faculty effectively interact with parents/guardians/families

Core 2 Practicum (CI 426, 1 credit hour):  Spring semester, junior year -- Attendance and appropriate participation for a minimum of 3 hours a week in a classroom with a Mentor Teacher (MT) licensed in the candidate’s content area.  Candidates engage in the following activities:

• Observe classroom routines and procedures

• Observe instructional planning and teaching in the candidate’s content area

• Co-teach with the MT when appropriate (e.g., assist with individual students and small groups, lead bellwork or other mini-lessons)

• Teach at least 2 lessons (minimum of 20 minutes each); video-record each lesson for self-assessment and feedback

Core 3 Teaching Internship I (CI 412/413, 3 credit hours):  Fall semester, senior year -- Attendance and appropriate participation are required during a consistent class period every day it meets, plus regular planning time with the Mentor Teacher (MT) (e.g., during plan time, lunch, or before/after school – whenever the intern and MT agree is most appropriate for their schedules).  Throughout the semester, interns engage in the following activities:

• Observe and practice classroom management and effective curriculum design and instruction

• Collaborate with MT to design and teach a 5-7 day unit (~ 3-4 days for block schedule)

• Co-teach with MT—teaching lessons to the whole class and working with small groups and individual students

• Accept and apply feedback from MT to improve instructional design and teaching

• Receive and apply feedback from University Supervisor during at least one formal observation

Core 4 Teaching Internship II (CI 461/471, 5-10 credit hours):  Spring semester, senior year -- Attendance and appropriate participation are required during the full school day, Monday through Friday.  Interns also attend in-services/professional development and when applicable, parent-teacher conferences.  Throughout the semester, interns engage in the following activities:

• Observe and practice classroom management and effective curriculum design and instruction

• Co-teach with MT—teaching lessons to the whole class and working with small groups and individual students

• Gradually assume greater responsibility for instructional design, delivery, assessment, and classroom management throughout the semester

• Accept and apply feedback from MT to improve instructional design and teaching,

• Receive and apply feedback from University Supervisor during at least three formal observations.