Teaching Experience Options
A teaching assignment is required and must be served in a public school accredited by the TEA or a TEA accredited charter or private school within Texas. The Alternative Certification coordinator must be able to secure a University Field Supervisor for any area further than two (2) hours of Commerce, Texas.
Once your assignment begins, a partnership is formed between the program and your school district. You will benefit from intensive supervision that consists of structured guidance and regular ongoing support from a university field supervisor and school district mentor teacher. There are two choices of assignments:
Option 1: 1-Year Paid Internship
- Complete 4 of the 6 required classes, your 50 hours of classroom observation and pass your content test(s) by July 1 to begin a teaching assignment in the fall or by December 1 to begin a teaching assignment in the spring semester.
- Obtain a full-time teaching position on your own in your certification area.
- Teach a minimum of 4 hours a day in your certification area.
- Once a teaching contract is signed, the alternative certification program will provide a Statement of Eligibility for the HR department of your ISD to complete. After the Statement of Eligibility (SOE) is returned to the program, the student will apply for approval for an intern certificate.
- Supervised and observed by a university field supervisor and mentor teacher.
- Pay a $700.00 teaching fee per semester, totaling $1,400.00 for the year.
- Pass your PPR exam if it has not been completed.
- Upon completion, the university field supervisor, mentor teacher and principal will either recommend or deny you for a Texas State Teaching Certificate.
Completion of Assignment
To complete your assignment, you must remain in an acceptable position during your assignment. If at any time you are released from your position by your school district or you resign from your position, you will be dismissed from the Teacher Education Program at East Texas A&M University. The only exception is if, during a paid internship, your resignation is amicable between you and your school district, and you immediately( within 7 days) assume an acceptable paid position and complete the internship. This exception also requires a statement of agreement by your mentor teacher and university field supervisor, stating they believe that you have been making satisfactory progress in teaching and should be allowed to continue working in the profession.
Option 2: 16-Week Unpaid Clinical / Student Teaching
- Complete 4 of the 6 required classes, your 50 hours of classroom observation, and pass your content test(s) by July 1 to begin a teaching assignment in the fall or by December 1 to begin a teaching assignment in the spring semester.
- Submit the required clinical/student teaching application forms and interview with the alternative certification advisor.
- Placement is secured by the Alternative Certification advisor.
- Full-day, five days a week, in your certification area for one semester (490 hours)
- Supervised and observed by a university field supervisor and mentor teacher.
- Pay a $700 teaching fee.
- Pass your PPR exam if it has not been completed.
- Upon completion, the university field supervisor, mentor teacher, and principal will either recommend or deny you for a Texas State Teaching Certificate.
Completion of Assignment
The successful completion of your assignment will be graded on a successful (S)/unsuccessful (U) basis. Members of your Instructional Leadership Team (ILT) will determine their recommendation based on your performance at the conclusion of your assignment. Your ILT will be comprised of a university field supervisor, mentor and principal. Your internship or clinical/student teaching handbook will serve as a guide for all members of the ILT. If the decision is made that you have failed to complete your assignment successfully, you will be dismissed from the program. The only exception is if your ILT recommends that you continue with additional training. If this occurs, you will be required to obtain an extension of your probationary certificate (if available) for another year and pay all fees associated with an additional assignment. In addition, a growth plan will be initiated, and you may be required to complete additional professional development or content-related training/coursework.
Support Staff
Once placed in an assignment, the program appoints a university field supervisor who provides constructive feedback on a regular basis after conducting classroom observations. A mentor teacher, one who is recognized as a master teacher, is appointed by the district to work with you and provide support. Your mentor serves as a professional model and is the one you turn to for advice and guidance on a daily basis. The principal also plays an active role in supervising your professional development and may conduct evaluations of your teaching performance. The university field supervisor, mentor and principal make up your Instructional Leadership Team (ILT), whose purpose is to provide support during your assignment that will lead to your success in the classroom.
NOTE: During the assignment, concurrent enrollment in EDCI 515 at East Texas A&M University is required.
Submitting Documents
- Mail to: East Texas A&M University
- ATTN: Tracey Stedman, Teacher Certification
- P.O. Box 3011
- Commerce, TX 75429-3011
- Email to: [email protected]
- Fax to: 903.886.5156