Fall 2013 Student Teaching Part I Online Information

It is our hope that this will provide the information you need as you prepare to apply for student teaching.  You will find important items, deadlines, suggestions, answers to frequently asked questions, and links to documents to guide you through this process.  The actual application packet for student teaching will be given to you at the January 25, 2013, Part II Meeting (3-4:30 p.m.).

NOTE: THE APPLICATION MEETING FOR TEACHER ED IS SEPARATE FROM STUDENT TEACHING.

The complete student teaching application is due Friday, February 15, 2013; the information below will facilitate meeting that deadline.

PLEASE READ ALL INFORMATION SO YOU ARE AWARE OF DEADLINES!!

Deadlines


1. PLACE/PRAXIS II Content Exam score received by Feb. 15
2. Academic Background Summary and Résumé emailed to studentteach@msudenver.edu by Feb. 1
3. Application submitted by Feb. 15

PLACE/PRAXIS II EXAMS

DEADLINE: TEST SCORE MUST BE RECEIVED BY FEBRUARY 15, 2013


Please request a copy of your score during the time frame that it is available. You must provide documentation of a passing score on the appropriate content exam; please include a copy with your application. We recommend that you electronically save your score report since you will need this for job applications. If you do not have a copy of your score, you can also print your pass/fail test results from the Colorado Department of Education website listed below. Please check the test dates early so you can meet the application deadline since not all tests are offered on each date.  If you have not registered for a test, you should do so now. Our office cannot accept your application without your passing test score; late scores delay your request for student teaching placement.

  • CDE Website
    You can access content exam results on this website

ACADEMIC BACKGROUND SUMMARY AND RESUME

DEADLINE FOR EMAILING DOCUMENTS: FEBRUARY 1, 2013

Email to studentteach@msudenver.edu with the following in the subject line: 
Fall 2013 Student Teaching ______ (INSERT YOUR NAME)
Please email from your MSU Denver email account. 

 

Q & A

  • What is the purpose of the Academic Background Summary?

Districts, administrators, and cooperating teachers are interested in knowing what classes you have taken and what kind of student you are.  Transcripts and CAPP reports are too lengthy for schools to review quickly. The idea is to provide a snapshot of your academic career.
You do not need to list every course you have taken.

  • What is the difference between an education licensure course and a content area course?

Education licensure courses are your educational courses and content area courses are the courses that you took in your major. An example of an education licensure course would be Educational Technology.

  • How do I list my licensure area on the Academic Background Summary?

If you are a secondary student teacher, you should list your content area, i.e., Social Studies, English, Math, etc.
If you are a K-12 student teacher, please indicate Art, Music, or P. E.

  • How do I list the course titles?

Do not list the course number such as EDU 3610, etc.  Please use the title of the class; abbreviations are fine, such as Edu. Tech. The title needs to fit on one line.

  • Do I list courses that I am currently taking?

Yes, courses taken the semester prior to student teaching should be listed IP as courses in progress.

  • If I am a post-bac student, do I include courses from my undergraduate institution?

Yes, your education licensure courses should be listed on the left-hand side.  All content area courses should be listed on the right-hand side. These are generally courses from your undergraduate degree. Please list the grade that you received at the previous institution. Remember you do not need to list every course you have taken, but try to give the principal a picture of your academic background.

  • How do I list transfer courses?

List the actual title of the course and the grade you received; do not list T. You do not need to indicate in any way that the course was transferred.

  • If I am an elementary, early childhood, or special education licensure candidate, what courses should I include under content?

You should include courses in math, English, social studies, science, and the fine arts. Courses listed should show a broad general studies background.  

  • What are some suggestions regarding the philosophy of education and reason for choosing teacher as a career on the academic background summary?

Draft this section as a short paragraph of about 9 lines which should address your philosophy of education and reason for choosing teaching as a career. It should fit into the space provided in the academic background summary. Make sure you use spellcheck and review for grammatical errors before saving it in the academic background summary. Spellcheck does not work in the academic background summary form, so we suggest starting the process as a draft in a Word document. Principals have denied placements because of grammar and spelling errors. Do not submit a separate document.

  • What are some suggestions regarding the résumé?

Please review the sample résumé;  undergrads/Master's students should include the anticipated date of graduation and licensure; post-bac students should include the anticipated date of licensure.  
Include practicum/field experiences.
If you have not taken the content exam, do not list your score as pending; the content exam score does not to be listed since all student teachers must have a passing score.
Please remember the audience who will be reading your résumé; focus on educational experiences.  It is OK to include past work experience emphasizing transferable skills and highlighting work and educational experiences with children; however, it is not necessary to list all work experience. 
Career Services can provide help with preparing your résumé.  Call 303-556-3664 for information.

  • How long can these documents be?

The Academic Background Summary must be one page; the résumé can be a maximum of two pages. Principals and cooperating teachers consider these reasonable lengths for review.

  • BE SURE TO HAVE SOMEONE PROOFREAD YOUR DOCUMENTS

Remember that administrators reading these documents will be deciding if they want you as a student teacher in their school. Content is important; however, spelling and punctuation are also critical. If you feel you need assistance in the content of your writing, please contact the Writing Center at 303-556-6070.

  • Will I hear from the Student Teaching Center after I have submitted the Academic Background Summary and Résumé?

We will contact you ONLY if we have questions or suggestions for revisions regarding your documents. 
           

APPLICATION DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 15, 2013

We are unable to accept any part of your application separately. Only complete applications will be accepted (including passing score test results).

GPA REQUIREMENT FOR STUDENT TEACHING


The GPA requirement for student teaching is 2.75 cumulative over all licensure coursework. Courses required for licensure must be passed with a grade of C or better. These requirements must be met before your application can be accepted.  You should be tracking your progress as you meet with your education advisor using the electronic GPA form.

Licensure GPA Forms

Master of Arts in Teaching GPA Forms

STUDENT TEACHING HANDBOOK


The handbook is available on our website and will provide answers to questions about all aspects of the student teaching process including responsibilities for cooperating teachers. If prospective cooperating teachers have questions about their responsibilities, you can refer them to the handbook online at the link below. This is the required textbook for student teachers; estimated cost is $5.00. 2013-2014 handbooks will be available for purchase at the August Meeting.

2012-2013 Student Teaching Handbook (Acrobat Icon 388 KB)

STUDENT TEACHING MEETING PART II

This mandatory meeting will be held Friday, January 25, 2013, from 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. usually in North Classroom 1130. Check the website for updates or changes. Application materials and instructions will be available at this meeting. The student teaching calendar is available online at the link below. Please mark your calendar now. 

Fall 2013 Student Teaching Calendar

Additional Items:

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

Professional Organizations (Acrobat Icon 31 KB)

Student Organizations

HOW TO RESEARCH SCHOOLS FOR STUDENT TEACHING

  • When you submit your application, you will list three choices where you would like to student teach.
  • The Student Teaching Center has a list of highly recommended cooperating teachers and a list of schools interested in having student teachers.  We update these lists each semester, but teachers move and retire so please check school websites for the latest information.
  • Research the schools and districts on the district and school websites. 
  • Talk informally to teachers where you are doing your practicum.
  • The Student Teaching Center will make the formal request for placement, but you can informally discuss student teaching with a school where you are completing your practicum.
  • District placement policies regarding school contacts will be given to you at the Part II Meeting and when you submit your application.
  • If you list a cooperating teacher, please check the school's website to make sure the teacher is still at the school you are requesting; you should also provide the correct spelling of the teacher's first and last names and the teacher's school email address.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Information regarding scholarships is available through the Scholarship Office.  Please check the Teacher Education website for updates as there may be some new scholarships/grants.

Teacher Education Website regarding scholarships

YES

Please review these positive answers to many student teaching questions.

YES (Acrobat Icon 19 KB)

CALENDAR FOR FALL 2013 STUDENTS

Fall 2013 Student Teaching Calendar

HOW DO I CONTACT THE STUDENT TEACHING CENTER?


West Classroom 136E.
303-556-2652
Email: studentteach@msudenver.edu

REMEMBER TO WATCH YOUR MSU Denver EMAIL FOR STUDENT TEACHING INFORMATION AND CHECK THE WEBSITE FOR UPDATES!!