Teacher Formation Practicum Christendom College offers a pre-certification experience which provides its undergraduate students the opportunity to explore a career in education and to develop teaching skills through the Teaching Apprentice Practicum. Upon the successful completion of the Practicum, the student will receive six (6) elective credits toward the B.A. degree. The College does not offer teacher certification. Participation in the Teacher Formation Practicum is limited and competitive. Students must have second-semester junior or senior class rank and a minimum of 2.500 cumulative GPA and be in good standing with the College. Students are to make application in their junior year with a written application to the Director of Teacher Formation Practicum for candidacy status. The Application Deadline is Spring registration in November. Candidates must make arrangements to interview with the Director of Teacher Formation Practicum for a final decision on acceptance. Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from the teaching site. EDUC 521 Teaching Apprentice Practicum The course is taken during the fall or spring semester of the student’s senior year. The Practicum lasts for at least twelve (12) weeks, with no less than six (6) hours per week under the direction of a Master Teacher and the Director of the Teacher Formation Practicum. The Director will conduct at least two workshops each semester and be available for individual conferences. The teaching apprentice will receive instruction in lesson planning, classroom management, effective teaching strategies, and evaluation and testing. The teaching apprentice will first observe and then assist in the daily routines of the classroom, analyze with the Master Teacher and/or Director of Teacher Formation lessons presented by the master teacher, and finally have the opportunity to develop lesson plans and teach small groups and then the whole class. The apprentice teacher will be observed by the Master Teacher and/or the Director of Teacher Formation who will encourage and guide the apprentice teacher in evaluating the effectiveness of the lessons. (6 credit hrs) Prerequisite: Senior standing. Practicum may not be repeated for credit.
114
