SUNY Potsdam

To provide practical observation and application of classroom teaching, all SUNY Potsdam education majors engage in at least one field experience.  This experience requires students to observe and participate in school classrooms for 100 hours prior to student teaching.

Depending on the requirements of each program and the opportunities available, the field experience could include:

• Observations in one or more classrooms
• Assisting teachers with grading, updating bulletin boards, helping students with seat work, or offering one-on-one tutoring to students
• Looking at curriculum and discussing curriculum and lesson plans with teachers
• Sitting in on planning sessions or staff development meetings
• Reviewing samples of students’ work and discussing with the students and/or teachers
• Visiting classrooms outside of your subject area
• Attending teacher professional development programs

While most of the field experience time will be spent in the student’s major area of study, students are also required to familiarize themselves with the school as a whole (e.g., by experiencing other subject areas, special needs services).  SUNY Potsdam students participating in a field experience must provide their own transportation to and from the field experience. 

Field Experience Quick Links to Important Information

• Guidelines for and Expectations of Field Experience Candidates  
• Role of Mentor Teacher in Pre-Student Teaching
  

Field Experience Assistance

Contact:  Nicole Feml, Assistant Director
Office Hours:  Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Contact Information: (315) 267-3022

Center for School Partnerships and Teacher Certification
SUNY Potsdam
111 Satterlee Hall
44 Pierrepont Avenue
Potsdam, NY 13676