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The mission of clinical/field experiences at the University of Memphis is to allow students to observe and interact with teachers, students, and other support personnel in diverse school settings as well as other community settings. Extensive experiences in structured observations, tutoring, small group instruction and whole class instruction are required to provide a meaningful developmental transition from theory to student teaching. All clinical/field experiences for initial licensure and advanced programs are designed, implemented and evaluated with the ultimate goal of developing educational leaders. As students interact with professionals in a variety of school and community sites and agencies, further development of content, professional, and pedagogical knowledges, skills, and dispositions is enhanced. The candidate has opportunity to practice theory in realistic settings and reflect on their impact on student learning. - At the undergraduate and graduate levels, field experience hours will total at least 60. More may be required for specific graduate programs as indicated on the advising sheet. These hours will be incorporated into class work. The number of hours required for specific classes will be denoted in the syllabus passed out at the beginning of the class. Please be aware that hours do not include travel time to and from the schools. The student is responsible for his/her own transportation. Field experience hours are completed outside the scheduled class time in most instances.
- Both public and private schools are used for field experiences. Students are expected to complete hours in urban/inner city, suburban, and rural settings. Field experiences will reflect the diverse student population of The University of Memphis area and will provide for a multicultural experience.
- Students do not make their own field experience placements. The process is handled through the Office of School Based Clinical Practice. Professors will handle paperwork and will notify students of approval of placements. Students are not to call schools or go to schools until there has been approval. Deadlines at the beginning of each semester will be honored since the procedure for requesting and gaining approvals for field experiences may take up to two-four weeks.
- All field experiences will be structured in such a manner as to reflect a developmental, sequential approach to teacher education. Observation will be followed by tutoring, small group instruction, and large group instruction. Students will be supervised by university personnel. Field experiences are an expected part of the teacher education program. Students must spend time in schools in classrooms to develop requisite skills for the student teaching semester.
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