Application for Field-Based Experiences
All Teacher Candidates enrolled in a program leading to initial or permanent certification are required to complete field-based experiences attached to program-specific courses.
After the Teacher Candidate attends an initial meeting with an education advisor, they will work with the advisor to anticipate what semester(s) they will be enrolled in field-based courses and will need to complete the Combined Application for Field-Based Experiences.
The Center will work collaboratively with the candidate and the course instructor to secure the field-based experience placement(s) that meet the candidate's individual situation and meets certification regulations. NOTE: This includes requesting approval for candidates who wish to complete their field-based experiences in the district and/or classroom in which they are employed.
The Teacher Candidate should complete the Combined Application for Field-Based Experiences in their first semester. If the semester/year of the field-based experiences change, the Teacher Candidate should contact teachereducation@potsdam.edu to update the application on file.
Fieldwork may not be waived if already hired in a teaching role. This is due to NYSED and SUNY approved SUNY Potsdam's teacher education programs of study. All required field-based coursework must be completed as indicated in the program of study.
School Employees Requesting a Placement at Employer School District:
If the Teacher Candidate is employed by a school district and would like to request their placement be completed at the district they work, the Teacher Candidate must complete and submit the following form upon acceptance into a teacher education program. A placement at a place of employment is not guaranteed and if approved by the employer, the grade level(s), cooperating teacher(s), and placement schedule and responsibilities must meet both NYSED certification and SUNY Potsdam program requirements to be considered.
BA/MST Employment Form for PRE-Student Teaching Field Experience
BA/MST Employment Form for Student Teaching Experience (Coming Soon)
For students enrolled in a BA/BFA/MST program: all requirements to be cleared for field-based coursework are listed on the Teacher Candidate Onboarding Checklist and on the Teacher Education Onboarding and Test Prep Brightspace Course.
The Teacher Candidate must complete the following one semester before entering a field-based course:
- Complete Checkpoint 3 in the Teacher Education Onboarding and Test Prep Brightspace Course
- Submit all Requirements for Fieldwork at least one semester before beginning any field-based course.
- Requirements submitted will be reviewed by the Center for School Partnerships and Teacher Certification and either marked as completed or returned for resubmission if the information is inaccurate.
NOTE: All requirements will need to be completed on the Brightspace course prior to being cleared to begin any field-based coursework.
Overview of Pre-Student Teaching Field Experiences
The Progressive Application of Theory to Practice
Pre-student teaching field experiences in all SUNY Potsdam education unit programs allow the Teacher Candidate to apply and reflect on their knowledge, skills, and professional dispositions by deliberate design. Though details and settings vary by program, each Teacher Candidate in a pre-student teaching field experience is enrolled in an associated course, as well as content (methods) courses. Thus, the entire semester can offer direct application of theory and elements studied in the courses to the authentic classrooms in which the Teacher Candidate is immersed.
Pre-student teaching field experiences are progressive in nature for the Teacher Candidate beginning with observing the Cooperating Teacher effective teaching and classroom management strategies, then working with students individually and in small groups, leading to using the Gradual Release Model and co-teaching strategies to offer the Teacher Candidate solo teaching opportunities. The Teacher Candidate becomes part of the school community where they are placed and have opportunities to interact with school administrators, parents, and the larger community. Even when the Teacher Candidate are placed in separate schools, they attend campus courses with their cohort, and that setting provides tremendous opportunity for group reflection and exchange of ideas, with faculty facilitation. Frequently, Cooperating Teachers comment about the Teacher Candidate’ contributions to their existing classroom environment, and even the teachers’ own professional growth. the Teacher Candidate interact with P-12 students in a variety of settings, from the more common classroom environment to assemblies, sporting events, or during a lunch period in the cafeteria. the Teacher Candidate are required to complete reflective journals, engage in discussions to connect theory to practice and complete a field experience time log with the Cooperating Teacher signature(s) throughout each experience.
A semester experience typically follows this order of responsibility.
- Observation of effective instructional and classroom management strategies to include classroom culture
- Getting to know the students in the classroom, learning their names and some areas of interest
- Teach 1:1 with students to support classroom teaching/curriculum
- Teach in small groups to support classroom teaching/curriculum
- Co-manage the classroom to practice effective classroom management strategies and receive constructive feedback
- Co-teach to practice effective teaching strategies and receive constructive feedback
- Solo teach at least one lesson