Pre-Admission Field Experience
What is PAFE?
EPSY 296 Pre-Admission Field Experience (2-day observation), usually taken with EPSY 302.
Pre-Student Teaching Experiences
What is PSTE I?
PSTE I is an early Pre-Student Teaching Experience that includes classroom observation, assisting, and at least one formal lesson or instructional activity, over the course of a minimum of 30 hours in the classroom.
What is PSTE II?
PSTE II, also referred to as Residency I in some materials, is a more advanced field experience involving a minimum of 60 hours in the classroom, increased teaching responsibility, two formal lessons, documentation, and supervisor/cooperating teacher feedback. The PSTE II is 30 hours for music education majors only.
Student Teaching
What is STE?
STE (Student Teaching Experience), also referred to as Residency II in some materials, is the final clinical experience in the Teacher Education Program in which teacher candidates work closely with a cooperating teacher and university supervisor to demonstrate readiness for independent classroom teaching.
When do I apply for student teaching?
Students must submit the Student Teaching Experience application in Exxat by the published deadline. Details will be provided at the registration meeting, which occurs early in the term before scheduled student teaching. (Example: registered for student teaching in the spring -> registration meeting /application deadline in September). Please note: you must already be registered for the student teaching course a full term before you plan to student teach.
What are eligibility requirements for student teaching?
Minimum content and cumulative GPAs at or above 2.700, Praxis II passed, background check completed, and liability insurance acquired.
What are the phases of student teaching?
Student teaching generally progresses through introduction/observation, co-teaching or partial responsibility, full responsibility, and reflection/transition back to the cooperating teacher.
What are my responsibilities during student teaching?
Student teachers are expected to plan and deliver instruction, assess learning, collaborate professionally, follow school and program expectations, and participate fully in the school setting.
What assessments are required during student teaching?
Student teaching includes required evaluations such as the CPAST, observations/feedback, Teacher Work Sample, and any program-specific or specialized professional association assessments required for the licensure area.
Who evaluates me during student teaching?
Student teachers are evaluated by the cooperating teacher and university supervisor through required observations, feedback, evaluations, and other required assessment components.
What should I be doing now to prepare for student teaching?
Review the TEP Handbook and materials in Exxat. Watch placement meeting recordings. Take and pass relevant Praxis content exam(s), obtain liability insurance coverage, submit for background check, and follow any communicated next steps.
How long is student teaching?
Student teaching is typically a 12-week placement, though some programs vary and/or have split placements depending on licensure area and program requirements.
Can I work during student teaching?
Student teaching is a full-time professional commitment, often in addition to other courses and pedagogy test preparation. Though work hours are not officially restricted, it is recommended that student teachers limit other work to 20 or fewer hours per week, if possible.
What happens if I miss days during student teaching?
Absences must be reported to your cooperating teacher and university supervisor imeediately. Missed time may need to be made up, and repeated absences or missed responsibilities may result in additional review or support measures.
Do I start student teaching before NSU classes begin?
Sometimes, depending on when school starts at your cooperating school.
You are expected to begin on the first day of the school district calendar.
Exceptions may be allowed if necessary, but must be approved by your cooperating teacher and the Director of Professional Preparation.
Can I move into campus housing early for student teaching?
Possibly. You must contact Residence Life directly to inquire as approval is handled outside the Teacher Education Program.
What if I am student teaching in the fall and haven’t heard from my cooperating teacher over the summer?
This is normal! Many teachers are unavailable during summer. You will likely hear back closer to mid-July or the start of the school year.
What happens after I complete student teaching?
After successful completion, candidates move toward program completion and certification steps through the South Dakota Department of Education or the relevant certification process in the state in which they plan to teach.
Placement Process
What is Exxat?
A system used to manage placements, assessments, and documents.
What do I need before starting field experiences?
Before beginning field experiences, candidates must complete all required communicated program steps, submit required forms by the communicated deadline(s), meet eligibility expectations, and use Exxat for placement/documentation processes. Specific requirements vary by experience.
How are field experience placements assigned?
Field experience placements are coordinated by the Director of Professional Preparation using program requirements, placement availability, and appropriate school/district contexts.
Can I request or choose my field experience placement?
Students will indicate their indicate preferences, but placements are subject to availability, are not guaranteed, and must meet program and partner-school requirements.
Can I complete field experience hours across multiple classrooms or teachers?
You should have one primary cooperating teacher. You may visit other classrooms with approval. In some cases, you may be assigned two cooperating teachers, but one serves as the primary evaluator.
Can I withdraw from a field placement?
A candidate may request withdrawal from a placement due to extenuating circumstances. Requests should be made in writing to the Director of Professional Preparation and are considered based on standing and placement circumstances.
Liability Insurance
Which experiences require liability insurance?
The PSTE II and STE each require liability insurance. If both experiences occur within the same academic year, coverage will carry over from the PSTE II to the STE.
Where do I purchase liability insurance and how much does it cost?
Liability insurance is included in SDEA membership. SDEA membership is currently $40 per academic year. https://www.sdea.org/
Background Checks
Which experiences require background checks?
The student teaching experience (STE) requires background checks for every school/district.
The pre-student teaching experience II (PSTE II) background check requirement depends on the cooperating school/district. Contact your cooperating school to find out whether a background check is required.
The Aberdeen School District does NOT require a background check for the pre-student teaching experience (PSTE II).
How do I complete my background check for student teaching?
If placed in the Aberdeen School District, call the District Service Center at 605-725-7100 to schedule an appointment for electronic fingerprinting.
For all other background checks in or around Aberdeen, pick up the following from the SOE reception desk: DCI fingerprinting card, FBI fingerprinting card, envelope, and instruction sheet. Fingerprinting can be done at the Brown County Sheriff’s Office or Aberdeen Police Department.
For out of area and out of state background checks, contact your cooperating school for instructions.
The processing fee for the background check is currently $50; this fee is submitted by check or money order with the DCI and FBI fingerprinting cards.
Hours, Attendance & Scheduling
Can I complete field experience hours in a way that works around my job?
Some flexibility may be possible, but you must still meet all hour and experience requirements. Plans must be approved by your cooperating teacher, univeristy supervisor, and the Director of Professional Preparation.
What happens if I miss field experience hours?
Field experience absenses must be communicated to the cooperating teacher and university supervisor immediately, reported on timesheets, and made up (if necessary) so all required hours and experience expectations are met.
Paid Placements & Financial Support
Are there financial supports available for student teaching?
Some students qualify for specific stipends (e.g., Rural Student Teaching Program) or district specific programs (e.g., Learn and Earn in the Sioux Falls School District). Students who obtain a Student Teaching Permit or Advanced Student Teaching Permit may qualify to be paid during student teaching; this is entirely up to the cooperating school district. Students could also contact Financial Aid directly to see if additional support may be available.
Do I need both Praxis Content and PLT exams to be paid during student teaching?
Content Praxis is required for student teaching and student teaching permits but the PLT is only required for the Advanced Student Teaching Permit. Payment is not guaranteed and depends on the district’s policy. Paid positions typically require an Advanced Student Teaching Permit and teacher-of-record role.
Can I substitute teach during student teaching?
Candidates may substitute teach during scheduled field placements within program limits (no more than 3 consecutive or 10 cumulative days during student teaching, for example) and may not serve as instructor of record or sign teaching contracts until the field experience is completed.
Concerns & Remediation
Can I fail a field experience?
Yes. A field experience may be graded as unsatisfactory if the candidate does not meet required expectations, satisfactorily complete required components by the communciated deadlines, or demonstrate appropriate professional conduct. A failed field experience must be repeated successfully before a candidate will be allowed to progress to the next field experience or complete the program.
Can I be removed from a field experience?
Yes. Field experiences may be suspended or terminated if candidate actions violate professional expectations, affect student safety or learning, or fail to meet program requirements.