Early Childhood/Middle Childhood/Early Adolescence/Adolescence Teacher Candidates
The candidate may choose from a list of suggested artifacts aligned to course assignments and standards. Once an artifact has been chosen, a reflective statement should be attached to the artifact and submitted to the instructor. If the instructor believes that the artifact and reflective statement are linked and supported with information on the context, justification and reflection of learning, the instructor signs the signature page indicating the candidate has reached a sufficient level for the specific standard. However, if the instructor believes the artifact and reflective statement are insufficient to meet the standard, the instructor may make suggestions for remediation or the candidate may choose a different artifact.
Applicants must obtain one signature in order to apply for admission in Teacher Education. See the Admission Guidelines.
Candidates must obtain five signatures from instructors signifying obtainment of five standards before completing the semester of Clinical II. Candidates must obtain five more signatures for the remaining five standards before completing the semester of Clinical III. The candidate is responsible for identifying which five standards are submitted at each benchmark.
The School of Education firmly believes that creating and maintaining the Professional Developmental Portfolio is a reflective process; thereby, we encourage an environment of mentoring, reflecting and goal setting through a portfolio mentoring process. Each candidate is required to meet with the Portfolio Mentor while enrolled in Clinical II and Clinical III to present the portfolios. The candidate is responsible for contacting the assigned Portfolio Mentor to schedule a 15-30 minute conference. The conference may take place once the candidate has gathered the five sufficient signature marks, but before the last day of finals in the clinical semester. At the conference, the candidate describes development as evidenced in the portfolio and sets professional development goals for the next benchmark.
Any candidate not meeting the program requirements will be referred to the Teacher Candidate Progress Review Committee. The referral process may lead to the candidate's removal from the teacher education program(s).