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.

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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.

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APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR WINTER/SPRING 2009
STUDENT TEACHING: OCTOBER 1, 2008

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

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STUDENT TEACHING APPLICATION SEMINARS
Saturday, September 6, 2008
10:00 a.m.-Noon
Rooms 005-006-007 Hagedorn Hall

Or

Wednesday, September 10, 2008
4:00-6:00 p.m.
Student Center
MULTIPURPOSE ROOM EAST 0101E

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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.

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STUDENT TEACHING APPLICATION COMPONENTS

1. DOWNLOAD STUDENT TEACHING APPLICATION BOOKLET
   Download the Handbook [PDF | 152kb]
2. APPLICATION FORM:
   To be completed and submitted to the Office of Field Placement by by October 1, 2008 for Winter/Spring 2009 semester student teaching.
   Download the form [Word | 24kb]
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. RESUME
   using format provided. See sample included for your reference. Submit four typed copies. This will be mailed to school districts. Download the template [Word | 21kb]
6. PLACEMENT FORM:
   Must be completed.
   Download the form [Word | 22kb]

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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.

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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.

1. 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.

Field Placement Policies

Policy on Non-Placement in Student's Home School District

It is policy not to place student teachers or participant-observers in their home school districts. The reasons are manifold:

1. The Hofstra student is very familiar with the schools and community in the home district. Our program is intended to broaden their experiences and perspectives.
2. There are issues of confidentiality. The Hofstra student could have a neighbor's child in class.
3. When there is a placement problem, and we have to move a student, the student is often reluctant to "make waves," and wants to remain in an unacceptable setting. Such a request cannot be honored. This can result in discomfort and can leave bad feelings in the school.
4. It is difficult for the Hofstra student to make a transition from student to professional status, when viewed by the school faculty as a former student in the school.
5. Staff who may know the Hofstra student often have difficulty offering objective evaluations.
6. Teachers have expressed discomfort having residents in the faculty room, where they have informal conversations about students, parents, community.

POLICY ON REQUESTS FOR PLACEMENT OF STUDENT TEACHERS OR PARTICIPANT-OBSERVERS

When school districts make requests for particular student teachers, those requests will be honored under the following conditions:

1. The student has already completed fieldwork in a wide variety of settings, including a high needs school, as defined by New York State.
2. The request is not based on any personal relationships that the Hofstra student (or his/her family or friends) may have in the school district with central office personnel, school administrators, teachers, or parents. Such relationships can compromise objective evaluation of the Hofstra student's work, and create inequities among students in the program.
3. The request must be made in writing to the Senior Assistant Dean/Director of Field Services, on district or school letterhead, and submitted prior to completion of the placement process elsewhere. If another school district has already accepted the Hofstra student and is arranging his/her assignment, the original placement will be honored.

2. CALENDAR: During student teaching, students are expected to be present in their field placements whenever school is in session in their assigned districts. Likewise, students are expected to attend classes at Hofstra whenever the University is in session. STUDENT TEACHING MAY BE EXTENDED FOR STUDENTS WHO NEED ADDITIONAL TIME TO MEET THE EXIT STANDARDS OF THE PROGRAM.

3. TRANSPORTATION: Transportation to assigned schools and to scheduled student teaching seminars is the responsibility of the student teacher.

4. WORK: It is recommended strongly that a student not engage in part-time employment, which might interfere with carrying out the full responsibilities of student teaching. Similarly, student teachers are advised to minimize course work concurrent with student teaching.

5. WITHDRAWALS: Withdrawals from student teaching must be completed by the student teacher in accordance with University regulations, including notification of this change in status to the Office of Academic Records. Additionally, notification of withdrawal must be submitted in writing to the Office of Field Placement.

6. SEMINARS: Students attend weekly seminars with their supervisors. These seminar meetings are sharing times on subjects such as pedagogy, classroom management and discipline, resumes, job interviews, certification requirements, etc. Special New York State mandated seminars on Prevention of Alcohol, Tobacco and Drug Abuse, Identification of Child Abuse and Maltreatment, Highway and School Safety Education, Prevention of Child Abduction, Fire/Arson Prevention, and SAVE Legislation are required. Arrangements to complete these seminars should be made through:

Office of Certification and Educational Support Services
129 Hagedorn Hall
516.463.5747

7. REGISTRATION: Students must observe all registration procedures designated by the University, Office of Financial and Academic Records.

8. STUDENT TEACHING GUIDE: The Office of Field Placement will provide each student with the Guide for Student Teaching.

9. REQUESTS FOR CHANGE OF PLACEMENT OR CHANGE OF SUPERVISOR: A request for a change of placement or change of supervisor may be initiated by the student teacher, the University supervisor, other University faculty members, or a cooperating teacher or administrator in the local school. The Director of Field Services will review the request with all parties involved and facilitate changes when needed.

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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.

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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.)

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT TEACHERS
Elementary Education, gr. 1-6	ELED 121A + ELED 123 (co-requisite)
Early Childhood, B - gr.2	ELED 137 + ELED 138 (co-requisite)
Dual Early Childhood & Elementary Education B - gr. 6	ELED 137 + ELED 138 (co-requisite) + ELED 139 (Winter) + ELED 140 (co-requisite)
Secondary Education, gr. 7-12	SED 179 + SED 178 (co-requisite)
Art or Music Education, gr. PreK-12	CT 179 + SED 178 (co-requisite)
Health Education, gr. PreK-12	HPFS 130 A/B
Physical Education, gr. PreK-12	PESP 130 A/B
GRADUATE STUDENT TEACHERS
Elementary Education, gr. 1-6	ELED 221 + ELED 223 (co-requisite)
Early Childhood, B - gr. 2	ELED 261 + ELED 262 (co-requisite)
Dual Early Childhood & Elementary Education B - gr. 2	ELED 261 + ELED 262 (co-requisite) + ELED 264 + ELED 266 (co-requisite)
Working Teachers in Childhood or Early Childhood	ELED 222 A + ELED 222 B (summer) + ELED 262 (co-requisite)
Secondary Education, gr. 7-12	SED 217 + SED 201 (co-requisite)
Working Teachers in Secondary Education (must have classes in gr. 7-9 AND 10-12)	SED 218 + SED 201 (co-requisite)
Art or Music Education, gr. PreK-12	CT 227 + SED 201 (co-requisite)
Working Teachers in Art or Music (must have classes in gr. PreK-6 AND 7-12)	CT 228 + SED 201 (co-requisite)
Teachers of Non-English Speaking Students (TESL), PreK-12 (uncertified student teachers)	CT 269
Teachers of Non-English Speaking Students (TESL), PreK-12 (practicum for certified	CT 268
Health Education, PreK-12 (no prior teaching certification)	MHAE 230 A/B
Health Education, PreK-12	MHAE 230 C (+ MHAE 263 C may also be required- See Advisor.)
Physical Education, PreK-12	MSPE 272 A/B
Working Teachers in Physical Education (uncertified)	MSPE 273
Working Teachers in Physical Education (pursuing 2nd certification)	MSPE 274
Teachers of Students with Speech-Language Disabilities	See Department Advisor
GRADUATE STUDENT TEACHERS IN SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS
Inclusive Early Childhood Special Ed, Inclusive Elementary Special Ed	SPED 219 G/S
Working Teachers in Inclusive Early Childhood or Elementary Special Education	SPED 219 C (Can replace SPED 219 G or SPED 219 S, with department approval)
Inclusive Secondary Special Ed	SPED 223 G/S
Working Teachers in Inclusive Secondary Special Education	SPED 223 C (Can replace SPED 223 G or SPED 219 S, with department approval)
Special Education, with specialization in Early Childhood, Childhood, or Secondary Ed	SPED 237
Working, certified teachers pursuing, certification in Special Education, with specialization in Early Childhood, Childhood or Secondary Ed	SPED 237 A (summer) (Provide a letter from your principal, detailing your teaching assignments during the academic year. Submit that to the Special Education Program Director, with your written request to student teach in the summer)