Field and Clinical Practice is an integral part of College of Education teacher candidate preparation at TTU. The Office of Teacher Education plans quality experiences in school settings that range from classroom observational experiences early in the program to pre-residency experiences where beginning instructional skills are practiced under the direction of a mentoring teacher. Pre-Residency field experiences may involve between 30 to 90 hours of involvement depending on the course associated with that experience. During candidates’ early field work they are encouraged to gain additional experience with several grade levels through volunteer or after-school programs.
Clinical Practice is the culmination of teacher preparation and involves either a Residency (Ready2Teach) experience or a Student Teaching experience. Residency candidates should expect a year-long field placement in one school setting and one mentor. Interaction in and with schools, mentor, and students gradually increases. During Residency I fall semester, 2 or 3 days are in the school and 2 or 3 days are in courses/seminars. The second half of the ‘year’ (spring semester), Residency II, is a full time clinical experience in the school, with the same site and mentor as Residency I and includes regular seminar sessions.
Student teaching is offered to post baccalaureate students. The Student Teaching semester involves a one-semester intensive clinical experience in the school setting. (A post baccalaureate student is one who has earned an undergraduate degree and has been approved in the TTU Teacher Ed Program to be enrolled in courses.)