Early Field Experience Application For Alternative Certification

The primary goal of the Alternative Certification Program Early Field Experience (EFE) is to help students gain an understanding of the expectations of teachers in a modern society, and make an informed decision on whether or not teaching matches his/her career aspirations.  After reading all of the information below, you may scroll down and click on the "Early Field Experience Application" link to submit your application.  Consult Donna Tavener, Director of AC if you have any questions after reading this page.  

20 Hours of Early Field Experience (EFE)

A minimum of 20, verified, clock hours must be spent in a school setting, working with one or more assigned mentor teacher(s).  The EFE intern will only be able to log hours spent during the school day (excluding lunch).  

The EFE intern will benefit from the EFE in the following ways:

• Early exposure to public school students, teachers, and other school professionals
• Highly relevant experiences in a classroom setting
• Exposure to the policies, programs, and activities of the school
• Extended periods of time in a classroom setting to study classroom organization and management, instructional strategies, curriculum planning, and many other teaching practices and procedures from an experienced public school teacher (i.e., your assigned mentor)
• Exposure to content curriculum, resources, technology, Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) objectives, Texas Assessment of Academic Skills (TAAS) objectives, etc...
• Opportunities to study ethnic, racial, and cultural diversity
• Opportunity to make a firm decision on whether or not a career in teaching is right for you

Responsibilities in the Classroom

First and foremost, the EFE intern is required to observe the mentor teacher and his/her students in the classroom setting.  Particular focus should be placed on interaction from teacher-to-student, student-to-teacher, and student-to-student.  You may participate in additional activities at the discretion of your assigned mentor(s) and instructor.  (See "Activities" section below)  The EFE intern is expected to continually maintain "acceptable" ratings in areas of professional appearance, social maturity, emotional maturity, physical fitness, effective communication, role modeling, punctuality, receptiveness to coaching (teachable), initiative and willingness, ethical standards, interest and enthusiasm, cooperation, and motivation, as will be assessed by each mentor teacher signing your log sheet (see "Evaluation" section).

NOTE:  Completing your 20 hours of EFE is mandatory in the Alternative Cert admission process.  In addition, "Unacceptable" ratings on your EFE Rating Form may result in consultation, remediation, a growth plan, or denial of admission to the Teacher Education Program.

Essential Memo and Forms for the EFE (click links to access memo and forms):

You will need to submit the following memo and forms to your mentor...

• (Initial) Information and Thank You Memo

You will need to submit the memo (linked above) to your mentor(s) prior to, or when you arrive for your initial visit.  

• Log Sheet

You must submit this form to the AC Director when you complete the EFE.  You will need signatures from your mentor and principal on campus.  Alternative Certification will need the original.  Remember to make copies for your own files.

• Early Field Experiences Rating Form

Print and submit this form to all mentors that you observe or work with during the EFE.  Each mentor will complete this form and submit it back to you.  You will give all, completed, original forms to the AC Director at the end of your EFE.  CECAS will need the original forms, and they must be signed by the appropriate parties.  Remember to make copies for your own files.

• Upon Completion, Send "Thank You" Note/Card 

You should send a thank you note or card to all mentors you worked with when you complete the EFE, especially your primary mentor. 

Evaluation

The mentor is asked to complete the "Early Field Experience Rating Form" and submit the form to the EFE intern.  Students will supply this one-page form to the mentor teacher at the beginning of the EFE.  The mentor teacher(s) is/are asked to complete the form and share it with the EFE intern.  It is not required that the teacher discuss this evaluation with the student.

Suggested/Possible Activities

At the discretion of the AC Director and mentor teacher(s), the EFE intern may participate in certain activities while fulfilling his/her 20 hours of observation.  Suggested activities are listed below.  Note:  The AC Director or mentor teacher(s) may or may not allow the EFE intern to participate in the following activities.

Introductory Activities:

• Take a tour of the building to get acquainted with how grade levels and subjects are grouped, classrooms arranged, and special classrooms located.
• Become familiar with the daily schedule, attendance forms, office referrals, etc…
• Learn the daily routine of the school; teacher schedules, lunch breaks, planning time, class length, and procedures for drills.
• Develop a seating chart for the classroom and learn student names.
• Take attendance and lunch count.
• Visit the library center and become acquainted with its organization and resources.
• Make a list of the materials used daily in teaching.
• Become acquainted with course curriculum guide, TAAS objectives, and TEKS.
• Observe a variety of classes (different classes from different age levels)

Instructional Experiences:

• Observe and list the variety of ways teachers use to manage student behavior.
• Observe and list the non-verbal signals the teacher uses to communicate with students.
• Serve as a resource for handling classroom interruptions.
• Organize and supervise classroom activities.
• Design worksheets, overhead transparencies, models, charts, or bulletin boards.
• Tutor individual students on homework, projects, or makeup work.
• Assist teacher and/or students in using media and technology equipment.
• Monitor and/or facilitate small groups.
• Team teach lessons with the teacher.
• Give directions for assignments.
• Monitor and assist the class while the teacher works with small groups or individual students.
• Monitor seat work.
• With careful teacher supervision, prepare and teach a short lesson.
• Discuss the effectiveness of classroom strategies and assignments.
• Reflect on classroom management organization and effectiveness.
• Assist in designing activities.
• Participate in classroom activities.

Additional Clerical Experiences:

• Evaluate/grade written assignments and/or homework of students.
• Distribute/collect instructional materials.
• Locate classroom resources.

Guidelines to follow when fulfilling your EFE

• Plan to dress professionally.  Discuss with the principal and/or teacher the appropriate dress.  Avoid jeans, leggings, short skirts, shorts, sleeveless blouses, and T-shirts.  Men should wear a collared shirt with dress pants.  Women should wear pant suits or dresses.  Those observing in a physical education/exercise class environment may wear (if approved by district) workout suits (absolutely no cotton sweat pants or shorts).
• Always pre-schedule each time that you visit.  
• Arrive promptly and consistently.
• Follow parking and entering policies.
• Sign-in on the building sign-in form in the office on each visit (no exceptions).  If at anytime you leave campus, sign-out on the same form.  
• Wear a visitors badge if it is required by the district.
• Submit the essential memo and forms to your mentor(s).
• Provide the AC Director contact information to your mentor(s).
• Follow the rules of confidentiality.
• Follow all rules and regulations of the school and district.
• Keep a good attitude.
• Be teachable and learn, learn, learn.
• Review and excel in the areas that you will be assessed on the "Early Field Experience Rating Form."
• Make a copy of your records and keep them on file.
• Direct all concerns to the AC Director, (903) 468-8186.

Important Points to Consider  (If you have questions, please read the following points.)

• Once you submit your application online and it is sent to the school, the application request may not be changed.  You will be required to complete the placement field experience according to the application that you submitted.
• You may complete your field experience in only one school.  For the sake of organization, time, and the amount of work we request of our school district partners, we will not request placement in multiple schools.      
• You must complete and turn in all forms for your 20 hours of EFE prior to the beginning of your internship (if before the end of the semester).  Not completing the 20 hours will delay admission to AC program.
• Some districts may require a criminal history background check prior to your EFE application.  At this point, the districts that we are aware of that require a background check are Carrolton/Farmers Branch, Frisco, Plano, Richardson, Rockwall, and Sherman.  A criminal history background check may slow the placement process.  You must pick this form up and fill it out in our office immediately before or immediately after you file your EFE application.  We will not be able to process your application until you fill out the criminal history background check.  
• Dallas ISD requires a Tuberculosis (TB) test prior to placement.
• All field experiences are made and verified through the AC office.  Do not contact districts or teachers for a placement, or prior to receiving a placement (if your placement is pending). 

• The school district and school that you request for your field experience must be accredited by the Texas Education Agency.  Verify this through the Texas School Directory.  

Consult your AC Director if you have any questions.

PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT THE SCHOOL DISTRICT PRIOR TO PLACEMENT!

Field Experience Application