Field Experiences
There are many opportunities for field experiences at Saint Vincent College beginning in the freshman year. Courses such as ED 101, ED 102 and ED 103 Field Experience I. Offer structured fieldwork in which students travel as a group to area schools as well as learn to offer instruction synchronously online.
Field Experience II is an opportunity to teach on campus in a homeschool academy. This occurs in the student's second year of study. Please visit: https://www.stvincentstepup.org/
Field Experience II is an opportunity to teach on campus in a homeschool academy. This occurs in the student's second year of study. Please visit: https://www.stvincentstepup.org/
Third Space Opportunities during upper methods courses
In 2016, Saint Vincent College began addressing the limitations of teacher-education programs in which methods are taught separate of the actual school culture of preK-12 education. Traditionally, most field experiences are characterized by having teacher candidates independently observe and help classroom teachers in preK-12 settings at separate times from their campus coursework. In some courses offered during the student's third year, Saint Vincent teacher education program provides an alternative to this traditional practice: take methodology courses (teaching of prek-4, science, math, English, history, etc.) out of the college classroom and into the preK-12 school setting, inviting the preK-12 teacher to collaborate with the college faculty member and encouraging the teacher candidates to understand methodology practices deeply though actual work with preK-12 students.
See your advisor for courses that have been designated as "Third Space." Since fieldwork is embedded, these courses will not required the independent field experiences discussed below.
INDIVIDUALIZED UNDERGRADUATE FIELD EXPERIENCES
Undergraduate students who are in need of independent field hours should complete the Student Information Sheet for Field Experiences and should email the below Field Experiences Release and Waiver to Ms. McMullen. Once received, Ms. McMullen will try to find an appropriate field placement opportunity and will communicate that to the student.
Once a field experience has been set up, the undergraduate student will be notified by Ms. McMullen and should proceed to contact the teacher he/she will be observing by sending a professional email of introduction. See a sample email message below.
At the conclusion of the field observation in a school district, the undergraduate student should complete the Field Experience Log, which must be signed by the teacher(s) the student is/are observing. The student should send this form to Ms. McMullen and should also keep a copy of the form in his/her files.
Once a field experience has been set up, the undergraduate student will be notified by Ms. McMullen and should proceed to contact the teacher he/she will be observing by sending a professional email of introduction. See a sample email message below.
At the conclusion of the field observation in a school district, the undergraduate student should complete the Field Experience Log, which must be signed by the teacher(s) the student is/are observing. The student should send this form to Ms. McMullen and should also keep a copy of the form in his/her files.
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FORMS
CONTACT
Ms. McMullen
Email: makayla.mcmullen@stvincent.edu Office: Prep Hall Education Department |
Sample Email Message to Teacher
Dear Ms./Mrs./Mr./Dr. (TEACHER LAST NAME), Thank you for agreeing to permit me to observe in your classroom. I am available to observe on the following dates and times: (LIST DAYS AND TIMES) I look forward to hearing back from you and appreciate your willingness to open your classroom to me. Sincerely, (YOUR NAME) |
