Stages I & II Classroom Observation & Explorations

Students must submit an Academic Year Field Placement Form in order to apply for placement for Stages I & II. 

Note: If your plan of study changes, please submit an updated form indicating that the new submission is a revision.

Field Experiences - Overview

Field Experiences are defined as a range of formal, required school and community activities participated in by students who are enrolled in teacher preparation programs. The experiences take place in collaborative, educational settings to give candidates an understanding of the values, cultures and working styles of learning communities (The Pennsylvania Department of Education, 2008).

The School of Education takes great pride in the level of extensive clinical and field-based experiences that undergraduate and graduate pre-service teacher candidates have prior to their certification. Students in teacher certification programs have many opportunities to experience the classroom setting and thus gain ample exposure and experience necessary for a career in education. Nearly every pedagogy-based course will have at least one clinical, field-based experience. This allows candidates the opportunity to put into practice the learned teaching skills and evaluate their PK-12 students first hand in preparation for their Student Teaching Experiences. During the differing field experiences prior to student teaching, candidates will experience a progressive increase of hands-on experiences. Each level of experience will become more intensive, requiring the candidates to gradually assume more responsibility in the context of the classroom. Listed below are the four stages of required field experiences.

Getting Started

Please be sure to review the Professionalism & PA Code of Professional Practice and Conduct PDF document before completing the online Stage I and II Field Placement Application:

• Professionalism & PA Code of Professional Practice and Conduct [PDF]
  

Stage I: Observation (20 Hours)

During the first stage of field experiences, candidates will observe in a variety of education and education-related settings. Candidates are required to be active observers, and to assist the classroom teachers wherever needed, such as helping to coordinate classroom activities and supporting individual learners. During this experience, the candidate will keep an observation log, which will be signed by the host teacher. Candidates will also complete written reflections based on his/her experiences. The candidates will meet weekly with the course instructor and discuss their experiences, as all field experiences are linked to current courses and practices.

Stage II: Participating and Assisting (20 hours)

This stage is also referred to as the "exploration" phase of the required field experiences. In this stage of field experiences, candidates are working with small groups as well as working with individuals. Through this experience, students learn about the school community, and carefully follow the policies and regulations of the school. Similar to the Observation Stage, candidates in this stage will also keep an ongoing log of their classroom experiences and connect theory to practice through their linked School of Education courses. Students will complete these hours in the context of their required courses for Adaptations and Accommodations for Diverse Learners.

Field Observations

Zakita Bulter
Field Placement Coordinator
Phone: 215.895.3666
Email: zgb23@drexel.edu

Grace Reilly
Field Placement Coordinator
Phone: 215-895-0339
Email: gr534@drexel.edu

Please note that securing field placements can be a lengthy process. Field experience must take place within an approved school setting as identified and confirmed by the Field Placement Office. Per the School of Education's policies, field experiences are not to occur within a school or building in which a teacher candidate's children attend or family members are employed. Students are required to request a placement no later than the proposed deadline for the quarter in which they intend to conduct a field experience. Students are encouraged to apply as soon as they know their course requirements, so the Field Placement Office may begin securing a placement. Instructors reserve the right to deduct points from the field-based assignment for those who do not submit their request and clearances by the week one deadline.

Application & Clearance Submission Deadlines