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Field Experiences - Stage III

Settings and Activities

Teacher candidates are assigned to school district classrooms to engage in work required by the strategies and methods courses. This field experience will be monitored by the faculty who teach the companion methods/strategies courses. Teacher candidates are often re-assigned to the same Level II placements for the semester-long Level III Field Experience (Student Teaching) which follows. Exceptions: Early childhood majors have additional placements in pre-school settings and community service agencies.

Number of Hours of Experience

The required number of hours for each course may vary. See the Field Experiences-Explained page for more information. If you have additional questions, reach out to our office. 

Documentation of Field Experience Hours

Hours are documented by methods/strategies course instructors and course grades.

Requirements

No matter what stage of field experience you are in, prior to each semester you need to read the following thoroughly:

  • Field Experience Handbook
  • Clearance Packet
  • Student Teaching Handbook
  • The information found here

Once you have done that, you must turn in the following to the OPPEO:

  • Acknowledgement of Field Experience Expectations Form
  • Clearance Cover Sheet
  • Proof of Required Clearances
    • Certain courses/placements have additional requirements than those listed in the Clearance Packet. The OPPEO may notify you that you may need to complete 1-3 more clearances
  • Proof of Required Trainings (if applicable)
    • Certain courses/placements have additional requirements, including professional trainings The OPPEO may notify you that you may need to complete 1-3 additional training courses, and provide proof of completion certificates to satisfy those requirements.

In addition, it is the expectation that you are securing your own transportation so that you can participate in our program effectively. If you need assistance with transportation, contact our office. 

You MUST give your cooperating teacher a copy of the syllabus prior to your visit to their classroom. If you need assistance doing that, contact our office.

Expected Competencies

Stage 3 Competencies

Stage 3. A. Planning and Preparation Competencies

  • Stage 3. A. 1 – Adequate knowledge of content, and related research-based pedagogy, based on sound educational psychology principles.
  • Stage 3. A. 2 – Adequate knowledge of PA Pre-K-12 Academic Standards and the ability to use them to guide instructional planning.
  • Stage 3. A. 3 – Adequate knowledge of the age and/or related characteristics of their students and the ability to use this knowledge to plan instruction.
  • Stage 3. A. 4 – The ability to use formative and summative assessments to adapt learning goals that match individual student needs.
  • Stage 3. A. 5 – The ability to plan instruction using appropriate resources, materials, technology, and activities to engage students in meaningful learning based on their instructional goals.

Stage 3. B. Classroom Environment Competencies

  • Stage 3. B. 1 – Maintains a culture which values the development of meaningful, caring, and respectful relationships between teacher and students and among students.
  • Stage 3. B. 2 – Recognizes and supports the role of the prepared classroom environment as a necessary element to support optimal learning opportunities.
  • Stage 3. B. 3 – Uses classroom resources to support equity and maximize learning opportunities, which are appropriately selected according to age, gender, individuality, culture, and ability.
  • Stage 3. B. 4 – Assesses classroom resources in order to make adaptations and accommodations required to differentiate instruction for all learners.
  • Stage 3. B. 5 – Identifies opportunities for productive family and community contact.
  • Stage 3. B. 6 – Demonstrates knowledge of and acts to support systems for student transitions, as well as procedures and routines for instructional and non-instructional responsibilities.

Stage 3. C. Instructional Delivery Competencies

  • Stage 3. C. 1 – Uses effective verbal and non-verbal communication techniques.
  • Stage 3. C. 2 – Uses effective questioning and discussion techniques.
  • Stage 3. C. 3 – Uses a variety of instructional strategies that are appropriately selected according to age, gender, individualism, culture, ability, and skill and which reflect evidence of student engagement, new learning, and assessment.
  • Stage 3. C. 4 – Uses technology as an effective teaching and learning tool.
  • Stage 3. C. 5 – Provides appropriate progress feedback to students in a timely manner.
  • Stage 3. C. 6 – Uses active student engagement during instructional delivery.
  • Stage 3. C. 7 – Uses formal and/or informal assessment to measure student responsiveness to instruction.
  • Stage 3. C. 8 – Constructs thoughtful and accurate assessment of a lesson’s effectiveness and the extent to which learning goals were achieved and can offer alternative actions if necessary.
  • Stage 3. C. 9 – Clearly communicates instructional goals, procedures, and content.

Stage 3. D. Professional Conduct Competencies

  • Stage 3. D. 1 – Initiates communication with the cooperating teacher regarding instructional and non-instructional record keeping, procedures and routines, and timelines including, but not limited to, grading, attendance, lesson plans, parent communication, and inter-school needs.
  • Stage 3. D. 2 – Demonstrates knowledge of and participates in district, college, regional, state and/or national professional development growth and development opportunities.
  • Stage 3. D. 3 – Exhibits integrity, ethical behavior, and professional conduct as stated in the “PA Code of Professional Practice & Conduct for Educators,” as well as local, state, and federal laws and regulations.
  • Stage 3. D. 4 – Applies safety precautions and procedures.
  • Stage 3. D. 5 – Complies with school policies and procedures regarding professional dress, attendance, punctuality, and the use of technology.
  • Stage 3. D. 6 – Develops and maintains professional relationships with school colleagues.

Stage 3. E. Assessment Competencies

  • Stage 3. E. 1 – Identifies and reports on various kinds of assessments used in instruction including formative, summative, benchmark, behavioral, diagnostic, cognitive, affective, and psychomotor.
  • Stage 3. E. 2 – Makes norm-referenced and criterion-referenced interpretations of assessment results.
  • Stage 3. E. 3 – Applies interpretations to inform planning and instruction for groups and individual students.
  • Stage 3. E. 4 – Applies interpretations of status (PSSA) and growth (PVASS) assessment models to inform planning and instruction for groups and individual students.
  • Stage 3. E. 5 – Constructs assessments to match cognitive, affective, behavioral, and/or psychomotor curricular goals.
  • Stage 3. E. 6 – Constructs assessments to match curricular goals along a continuum of complexity (e.g., Bloom’s Taxonomy).
  • Stage 3. E. 7 – Assesses their own professional growth through focused self-reflection.

Stage 3. F. Knowledge of Diverse Learners Competencies

  • Stage 3. F. 1 – Reports on the unique characteristics and learning needs of diverse learners (age, gender, culture, or ability) in the classroom.
  • Stage 3. F. 2 – Recognizes and supports elements of a positive learning environment that values and models respect for all students.
  • Stage 3. F. 3 – Differentiates instruction to meet the needs of diverse learners that promotes successful educational performance.
  • Stage 3. F. 4 – Recognizes policies and procedures designed to ensure that all students, particularly those traditionally undeserved, are valued in the school.
  • Stage 3. F. 5 – Reports on effective practices and opportunities designed to communicate with and engage families, caregivers, and the broader community.