Clinical Experiences and Dispositions
Overview
Clinical experiences are learning experiences that take place in elementary school settings. The elementary education foundations major provides clinical experiences through a series of practicum experiences. In these experiences, as well as in university classes, the major also emphasizes the development of professional dispositions. This page provides information about these aspects of the program.
Clinical Experiences (Practicum)
Elementary education foundations majors have three practicum experiences:
- CI 3212, Practicum: Elementary Teaching. This practicum is taken the first semester in the major as part of the introductory block. Students are placed in an elementary classroom to observe and assist the teacher.
- CI 3283, Practicum: Special Education K-6. This practicum is taken the third semester in the major as part of the special education block. Students are placed either with a special education teacher or with a classroom teacher whose class includes children with special needs. Students observe and work directly with the special education students.
- CI 4413, Practicum: Working with Developing Readers. This practicum is taken during the senior year in conjunction with CI 5413. Students will work with elementary students on reading.
The following expectations apply to all practicum experience:
- You are expected to dress professionally.
- No jeans, no bare midriffs, no halter tops, no plunging necklines, no flip-flops. This is the university expectation regardless of the way teachers in the school dress.
- You are expected to behave as a professional at all times.
- You are expected to comply with school and district expectations and procedures.
- You must wear your university ID/name badge at all times during practicum.
- You are expected to work with your mentor teacher and other school faculty and staff to provide appropriate learning experiences for the elementary students.
- Remember that you are guests in the school.
Dispositions
The College of Education and Human Development has identified the following as dispositions that students must demonstrate in order to be recommended for teacher licensure. Although the undergraduate major does not result in licensure, it is important for students to develop these dispositions during their time in the elementary education foundations major as they prepare for the initial licensure program. Your performance on these professional competencies will be evaluated during your clinical experiences as well as in your university classes.
Professional Conduct
- Accepts responsibilities
- Completes assignments on time
- Carries out assignments independently when needed
- Arrives on time
- Presents self in a manner appropriate to the setting
Professional Qualities
- Adapts easily to changing circumstances
- Seeks and accepts the suggestions of others
- Demonstrates ability and willingness to self-assess
- Shows appreciation for diversity
- Responds appropriately to issues of bias and discrimination as they arise
- Takes initiative in making a contribution to the learning community
- Demonstrates enthusiasm about the subject matter
- Demonstrates a commitment to the individual student
- Expresses responsibility for helping all students achieve
Communication and Collaboration
- Collaborates effectively with others
- Uses good judgment in interactions with others
- Displays sensitivity in interacting with others behaves ethically in dealings with others
- Respects and responds appropriately to differences in point of view
- Demonstrates effective written communication skills
- Demonstrates effective oral communication skills
- Demonstrates a commitment to working with families
Revised August 2011
