About Field Experiences
Field experiences allow students the opportunity to complete observational or hands-on experiences within a classroom of a partnering school district. Students encounter multiple field experience opportunities working through our programs within Clemmer College. These experiences expose students to many teaching styles and pedagogies. It is critical for students to observe and apply real world practice to what is being taught in the classroom.
Semester Deadlines for Requesting a Field Experience Placement
Spring Field Experience Placement Request Form Opens: December 1
Spring Field Experience Placement Request Form Deadline: February 15 (No placements will be requested after Feb. 15)
Fall Field Experience Placement Request Form Opens: June 1
Fall Field Experience Placement Request Form Deadline: September 15 (No placements will be requested after Sept.15)
The Fall 2023 Field Experience Request Form is now open. Please click here. If you need assistance, please email edprep@etsu.edu
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Field Placement Guideline Steps
Students must complete the following requirements in order to receive a field placement setting.
*A Field Experience Placement Request Form and initial Background Check Package or Affirmation of Background Check must be completed before a placement can be requested.
1. Field Experience Placement Request Form – The Field Experience Placement Request Form is the first step to request a placement. It is recommended that students complete the online Request Form prior to the first day of class. Students can confirm that a field placement is part of their class on the first day when their instructor goes over the syllabus.
· Students must submit a Field Experience Placement Request Form for each class that requires field experience hours.
· Request Form Final Deadline: September 15 (FALL)/February 15 (SPRING)
· Students may not double count their hours. All hours must be completed for each course for which students are enrolled. For example, if a student is enrolled in two courses with 20 hours for each course, then the student must complete a total of 40 hours. The same hours cannot count for both classes!
2. Background Check Completion- All students who participate in a field experience are required to complete a Background Check Package, which consists of fingerprinting and required documentation. Background Check Packages are good for one calendar year. If students have completed a Background Check Package, an Affirmation of Background Check can be completed to extend the duration of the background check for the next year. A maximum of two consecutive Affirmation of Background Checks can be completed before another Background Check Package is required.
· Students will use the following link for the directions for a Background Check Package or access to the Affirmation of Background Check form. https://www.etsu.edu/coe/educator-preparation/background.php
· Students need to complete and return the forms by 1) in person at Office of Educator Preparation, 305 Warf Pickel Hall; 2) email the forms to the Office of Educator Preparation at edprep@etsu.edu3) mail the forms to: Office of Educator Preparation, East Tennessee State University, PO Box 70685, Johnson City, TN 37614
Background Check Completion Final Deadline: September 15 (FALL Semester)/February 15 (SPRING Semester); no placements will be requested after this deadline.
3. Placement Confirmation – The Office of Educator Preparation will email the student their assigned field experience placement and teacher information. Students need to contact their assigned field experience teacher via email within ONE WEEK of receiving their placement. When the student receives the email reply from their assigned teacher, they will need to forward the email reply from their assigned teacher to: edprep@etsu.edu. Once this email has been received in the Office of Educator Preparation, the student placement is confirmed.
4. Field Experience Verification – The student's field experience teacher should complete the Field Experience Verification form AFTER the student has completed ALL required field experience hours (No electronic signatures will be accepted). The student will then return the Field Experience Verification form to the Office of Educator Preparation either in person or by scanning and emailing to: edprep@etsu.edu. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that the Field Experience Verification form is received by the last day of class.
**In order to pass your course, you must submit the Field Experience Verification form to the Office of Educator Preparation.
**Please note that instructors may have other due dates for paperwork so please consult your syllabus. Students must follow the deadline of their instructor if he/she requires this paperwork earlier than the dates required by the Office of Educator Preparation.
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Requirements
- Complete the online Field Experience Placement Request Form by the deadline.
- After the placement deadline September 15 (Fall)/February 15 (Spring), the online request form cannot be completed; therefore, students cannot be placed.
- Complete required documentation and background checks prior to all school placements. Students will not receive a placement until the Field Experience Request Form and Background Check Package or Affirmation is complete.
- Contact the assigned field placement teacher via email within 7 days after receiving the assigned placement asking the teacher to send an email response with a date for their initial meeting.
- Forward the email reply from the assigned teacher to the Office of Educator Preparation, edprep@etsu.edu, to continue the placement.
- Establish a clear schedule with the field placement teacher in advance and make sure he/she is notified of any changes.
- Notify the Office of Educator Preparation ASAP regarding issues or concerns with the placement or of extenuating circumstances that might interfere with the field placement.
- Allow for adequate time in the semester to complete required hours.
- Follow procedures at school placement where placed (i.e., dress code, professionalism, etc.).
- Maintain strict confidentiality.
- Refrain from serving where you have close friends or relatives due to a conflict of interest and confidentiality issues.
- Avoid bringing others (e.g., personal child, significant other, etc.) with you to the assigned school.
- Logged hours must match the total amount of hours indicated on the Field Experiences Verification Form.
- Turn in the Field Experience Verification Form to the Office of Educator Preparation no later than the last day of classes
- Provide required paperwork to your instructor per syllabus deadline.
**In order to pass your course, you must submit the Field Experience Verification form to the Office of Educator Preparation.
**Please note the Honor Code and Pledge about falsifying information. Falsification of hours will not be tolerated.
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Honor Code and Honor Pledge
Please note the Honor Code and Pledge stated below. Falsifying information including falsification of hours will not be tolerated.
Honor Code
East Tennessee State University is committed to developing the intellect and ethical behavior of its students. Students found to be in violation of policies on plagiarism, cheating, and/or fabrication will be held accountable for their actions. Any knowledge of academic misconduct should be reported. Students are expected to act with honesty, integrity, and civility in all matters. Honor Code revised and adopted February 16, 2012.
Honor Pledge
By becoming a member of the campus community, students agree to live by the standards of the honor code and thereby pledge the following: “I pledge to act with honesty, integrity, and civility in all matters.” Honor Pledge revised and adopted February 16, 2012.
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Tennessee Mandatory Reporting
All members of the University community are responsible for compliance with Tennessee laws on mandatory reporting of child abuse and child sexual abuse. Go to the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services website to find out more information on how to identify and report child abuse and child sexual abuse.
University students placed in school districts should proactively ask the field experience and residency site for the school’s procedures for mandatory reporting and adhere to those reporting structures when possible.
View full Mandatory Reporting protocol here.
The Completed Field Experience Information form allows students to track their field experiences leading up to residency and/or graduation. It is encouraged to track each placement throughout your academic career.