Student Teaching

Deadlines and Meetings

We are delighted to welcome you to student teaching, the capstone of the teacher education program. This application packet and the Student Teaching Application Seminars announced below are intended to guide you in the preparation of your application and to orient you to student teaching policies and practices.

WORKING TEACHERS

If you are a graduate student, and the full time," teacher of record" in your proposed certification area, you may be eligible to be supervised as a working teacher. Please request a Supervised Working Teacher Application in the Office of Field Placement, 118 Hagedorn Hall.

APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR WINTER/SPRING 2012 STUDENT TEACHING: JUNE 1, 2011

APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR SUMMER/FALL 2012 STUDENT TEACHING: FEBRUARY 15, 2012

Completed applications for student teaching must be returned to:
Office of Field Placement
118 Hagedorn Hall

STUDENT TEACHING APPLICATION SEMINARS FOR SUMMER/FALL 2012

To Be Announced

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

1. ACCEPTANCE INTO THE SCHOOL OF EDUCATION AND ALLIED HUMAN SERVICES:
   This applies to ALL prospective student teachers.
2. MATRICULATION OF GRADUATE STUDENTS:
   A graduate student must be matriculated to be eligible for student teaching.
3. PROOF OF FINGERPRINT CLEARANCE
4. HEALTH RECORDS:
   ALL student teachers must have up-to-date health records on file at the Hofstra University Health Office, including current immunization records for measles, mumps and rubella, as well as a screening for tuberculosis. This medical information must be on file by January 1st for spring semester student teaching and by August 1st for fall semester student teaching.
5. NEW YORK STATE CERTIFICATION EXAMINATIONS:
   Hofstra's School of Education and Allied Human Services recommends that all candidates for student teaching take the Liberal Arts and Science Test (LAST) of the New York State Teacher Certification Examinations (NYSTCE) PRIOR TO STUDENT TEACHING.
   
   It is recommended that the Assessment of Teaching Skills-Written (ATS-W) and the Content Specialty Test (CST) of the New York State Teacher Certification Examinations be taken PRIOR TO COMPLETION of student teaching. Along with the LAST, they will be required by New York State in order to obtain certification.
   
   Examination Registration Bulletins are available in the Certification Office, 129 Hagedorn Hall.

STUDENT TEACHING APPLICATION COMPONENTS

1. APPLICATION FORM:
   To be completed and submitted to the Office of Field Placement by June 1, 2011 for Winter/Spring 2012 semester student teaching.
2. CURRENT HOFSTRA TRANSCRIPT:
   As a prerequisite to student teaching, there is a minimum grade point average requirement of 2.75 for undergraduate students (2.5 for undergrads in Health Ed. or Physical Ed.) and 3.0 for graduate students, overall and in education courses (with no Ds or INC grades in education courses). In addition, some programs require a minimum G.P.A. in the certification area and/or in liberal arts. Please refer to the Hofstra University General Bulletin for your specific program requirements. This document must be submitted to the Office of Field Placement with your student teaching application.
3. PLAN OF STUDIES
   from your Student Advisement Record, signed by your adviser; one copy required. This is a list of all courses in your program, leading to your degree. This document must be mailed or hand delivered to the Office of Field Placement.
4. RESUME
   using format provided. See sample included for your reference. Submit four typed copies. This will be mailed to school districts.
5. PLACEMENT FORM:
   Must be completed.

ADDITIONAL APPLICATION COMPONENTS

1. ELEMENTARY EDUCATION UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS ONLY:
   ELED undergrads must provide DARS and highlight G.P.A. in liberal arts (minimum 2.5). This form must be mailed or hand delivered to the Office of Field Placement.
2. FOREIGN LANGUAGE STUDENTS ONLY:
   Students in the foreign language program must pass the Language Proficiency Examination prior to student teaching. Documentation of examination must be mailed or hand delivered to the Office of Field Placement.
3. HEALTH AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION STUDENTS ONLY:
   Health and Phys Ed students must provide their program of study (courses in student's program), available from department advisers. This form must be mailed or hand delivered to the Office of Field Placement. Undergraduates in Physical Education must submit a current DARS and have a 2.5 G.P.A. in all course work, including required professional education and physical education skill and professional core course work.

STUDENT TEACHING POLICIES AND PRACTICES

Student teaching is a period of guided professional development, when you assume increasing responsibility for all of the activities involved in actual classroom teaching. It is an opportunity for you to integrate and apply, in a field-based setting, the knowledge, attitudes and skills acquired during the professional sequence.

As a student teacher you will be under the immediate supervision of skilled cooperating teachers and the general supervision of the school principal. The University supervisor links the student teacher, the school and the University. The University supervisor provides assistance to you and works closely with school personnel in planning and evaluating your field experience. The University supervisor also facilitates your analysis of your own teaching and, in consultation with other appropriate school personnel, helps you summarize your current competencies and clarify your goals for continued professional growth.

Student teachers are expected to behave in an ethical and professional manner according to the guidelines for student conduct and academic honesty at Hofstra University and to the professional standards identified in their respective programs in the School of Education and Allied Human Services. Satisfactory interpersonal behavior and professional performance in classes and meetings, student teaching, internships, and practica are expected. If a report is received concerning an ethics violation, or an incident of inappropriate behavior as defined by the Student Judicial Code, established University procedures will be followed to investigate the issue and determine the course of action.

It is our policy that if a student is dismissed from two schools before and/or during the student teaching semester, that student will be counseled out of the teacher education program and will not be recommended for certification by Hofstra University. It should also be noted that student teachers develop professional competence at different rates and, for some student teachers, it may be necessary to extend the duration of the field experience. Extensions will be determined by the Director of Field Services, in collaboration with the University Supervisor, the cooperating teacher, and the student teacher.

ASSIGNMENTS: All assignments for student teaching are arranged by the Office of Field Placement. We make every effort to accommodate your needs; however, a student teacher will not be placed in a school district in which s/he lives or has attended. It is the policy of the School of Education and Allied Human Services to place students in a variety of districts, including a "high-needs" school, as defined and required by New York State. Students are asked not to contact schools until notified to do so by the Office of Field Placement. Credit is given only for student teaching assigned by the University through the Office of Field Placement and supervised by University faculty.

SPECIFIC PROGRAM INFORMATION

Please refer to the "Guide to Student Teaching Courses," which follows this section in the application packet, for the specific student teaching course number in your program. See the Bulletin or your Advisor for additional information.

GUIDE TO STUDENT TEACHING COURSES

(This guide is provided for your reference in identifying the course number in your program. You must fill in the appropriate course number on your application form.)