Field Expectations

EDUC 315: Principles of Teaching Mathematics and Science II

This page provides language for our cooperating teachers with information and expectations.

Welcome Letter for Cooperating Teachers

Dear Teacher Colleagues,

Thank you for partnering in our EDUC 315 mathematics field experience.

We are thankful for your support in helping to shape the next generation of Howard University prepared educators. This 8- to 10-week field placement is designed to provide our students with a comprehensive classroom experience. We ask for your support in guiding them through observations, one-on-one tutoring, and eventually leading a lesson or activities.

Your mentoring will be invaluable as our pre-service teachers progress from observers to active participants in your classroom. We appreciate your willingness to share your expertise, provide constructive feedback, and create opportunities for our students to apply their learning.

Please review the field experience expectations below. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact our field placement coordinator, Dr. Renix, or me, Dr. Nathan Alexander (the instructor for the course). Thank you again for your commitment to teacher education.

Warm regards, Prof. Alexander

Field Log Expectations

Our future teachers are required to maintain a detailed field experience log throughout their placement. This log serves as a reflective tool and a record of growth, so they may be taking notes during their time in your classroom. Here are some general expectations for their log:

  1. Regular notes: Make entries during or after each field experience session.

  2. Content: Include detailed observations, reflections on teaching strategies, notes on student interactions, and personal growth insights. NO student names or personal information should be included.

  3. Structure: Organize log by date and align entries with the weekly tasks and suggestions provided in the schedule here.

  4. Reflection: Include thoughts on what is learned, questions that arise, and ideas for future implementation in your own teaching.

  5. Connections: Draw links between your observations and the educational theories and methods from class.

  6. Specificity: Provide concrete examples and avoid generalizations. Here, you may use pseudonyms or numbers (e.g., student 1, student 2) to protect student privacy.

  7. Professional Growth: Document your progression from observer to active teacher, noting challenges and successes along the way.

Your field experience log will be reviewed periodically by Professor Alexander and will form part of your overall assessment for the course. The field experience log is due at the end of the semester.

Attendance Expectations

Consistent attendance is necessary for a meaningful field experience, please read these expectations:

  1. Duration and total hours: The field placement consists of a 3-5 hours per week for 6-10 weeks, for a total of 30 hours.

  2. Scheduling: Work with your cooperating teacher to establish check-ins that fit the classroom’s schedule. Schedules provided by Dr. Renix should be maintained.

  3. Punctuality: Arrive at least 10 minutes before the scheduled time to prepare for the day’s activities.

  4. Absences: If you must miss a scheduled session due to illness or emergency, notify both the cooperating teacher and Dr. Alexander via email as soon as possible. Arrange to make up any missed time.

  5. Professionalism: Treat this experience as a job. Dress professionally and adhere to the school’s policies and procedures.

  6. Documentation: Record attendance in a field experience log, including dates, times, and hours completed.

  7. Completion: Candidates must complete all 30 hours to receive credit for the field placement. Any shortfall in hours must be made up before the end of the semester.