CRIMINAL HISTORY DISCLOSURE STATEMENT, AUTHORIZATION AND RELEASE

All teacher interns who will participate in any field experience must have completed a Criminal History Disclosure Statement, Authorization and Release form prior to the first day of student teaching.  No teacher intern will be permitted to participate in any field experience if the criminal history disclosure form reveals a prior conviction.  Please note that the state of Maryland may not grant certification to any individual who has a criminal record.

ABSENCES

Absences should be limited to emergencies.  It is the responsibility of the teacher intern to notify the  school, mentor teacher, and university supervisor as soon as possible.  The teacher intern will also be expected to make arrangements for any lesson plans or materials that will be needed for instruction on that day so that the mentor teacher may  continue instruction as scheduled.  The university supervisor will make decisions regarding excessive absences and the extension of student teaching.  Decisions regarding repeating and /or extending student teaching will be made on an individual basis.

EMPLOYMENT DURING STUDENT TEACHING

The student teaching experience is a full time job.  Every effort should be made during student teaching to keep additional employment responsibilities to a minimum.  Exceptions to this policy must be approved by the teacher intern's advisor and be brought to the attention of the university supervisor/coordinator.

ADDITIONAL COURSEWORK DURING STUDENT TEACHING

Any additional coursework must be approved by the Department Chairperson and the teacher intern's faculty advisor.  All Special Education teacher interns will have a capstone project to complete during student teaching.

CHANGING PLACEMENT SITES

Teacher interns are not permitted to change teachers, add teachers, or change school sites without consultation between the university supervisor and mentor teacher.  This decision is a collaborative one and a change will only be considered based on unique and unusual circumstances. The interns should be at their site on the assigned days, and at the assigned times unless adjustments are made with their university supervisor.

DRESS AND APPEARANCE

Although school and school system norms for dress  vary widely, teacher interns should maintain a professional image.  Consult with the mentor teacher or school administrator and university supervisor concerning policies regarding appropriate dress and appearance.

CONFIDENTIALITY

Occasionally, a student may confide information to a teacher  intern.  If a student does entrust a teacher intern with confidential information it is best not to betray his or her confidence unless it threatens the student's welfare.  Consult the mentor teacher for policies regarding school and school system procedures for reporting indications of abuse, pregnancy, suicide or other welfare-threatening conditions.  Keep in mind the following guidelines regarding teacher intern/student confidentiality.

1. Any identifying information regarding a student and his/her family must be removed from documents before sharing  with other individuals outside the classroom setting.
2. Teacher interns should refrain from any unprofessional discussions about students.  Avoid discussing specific students inside or outside of the school setting unless it is regarding a professional matter with your mentor teacher or others involved with the student's education.

Teacher interns are cautioned to avoid language, topics or instructional activities which are prohibited by the school or the school system and/or are offensive to teachers and or students. Generally, the mentor teacher will guide the teacher intern's selection of curriculum and instruction, but in cases where he/she provides the teacher intern with a great deal of autonomy, the teacher intern is advised to ask questions about the policies and norms governing classroom language, topics, and activities in order to plan instruction appropriately.

SUBSTITUTE TEACHING

Teacher interns are not to perform the duties of a substitute teacher during their student teaching internship. They may not receive remuneration for the same responsibilities for which he/she is receiving credits.  However, teacher interns placed in PDS's are often required to take over the classroom as part of their internship.  This is to provide an opportunity for their mentor teacher or other staff members to participate in professional development activities.  Please consult with the PDS Coordinator or your department for the conditions under which this may occur.

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Last updated on November 18, 2002