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Field Experience 1 & 2

Description

The Elementary Education and Exceptional Student Education (ESE)/Elementary Education degrees include two hands-on field experiences in classrooms under the careful supervision of an experienced teacher prior to their capstone experience, Student Teaching. UWF students in the Interdisciplinary Social Sciences degree in Community Education complete one supervised field experience in a classroom.

Field experiences are designed for UWF students to observe effective teaching practices and deepen their knowledge base related to content, the learner and learning, instructional practice, and professional responsibility. Teacher candidates develop their planning and instructional skills as they tutor individual and small groups of students, and provide whole group instruction in reading, writing, mathematics, science, and social studies. Teacher candidates spend approximately 8-10 hours a week (100 hours total/semester) in the classroom working with learners and teaching during each field experience. Field experience 2 also includes an emphasis on teaching English Language Learners.

Field Experience 1 Requirements

  • Elementary Education and ESE/Elementary Education students must have a minimum 2.5 GPA
  • ISS Community Education students must have a minimum 2.0 GPA
  • Pass the General Knowledge Exam
  • Complete EDF 3234 with a grade of C- or higher
  • Complete an application in Exxat or other requisite data management system as outlined by the department within the application window
    • Fall – Application window is April 1 to May 1
    • Spring – Application window is October 1 to November 1

Field Experience 2 Requirements

  • Minimum program GPA of 2.5
  • Complete EDG 3945 and TSL 4081 with a grade of C- or higher
  • Be admitted to a certification program (Elementary Education or ESE/Elementary Education)
  • Complete an application in Exxat or other requisite data management system as outlined by the department within the application window
    • Fall – Application window is April 1 to May 1
    • Spring – Application window is October 1 to November 1

Fingerprinting and Background Checks

To comply with the Jessica Lunsford Act, all students completing a field experience in the State of Florida must be fingerprinted and complete a background check. Students should refer to their local school district website for procedures and costs for fingerprinting and background checks when they complete their application in the data management system. Students will not be allowed entry into a school without first completing the fingerprinting and background checks required by that district.

Resources

View the School of Education Clinical Experience Guide 2023-24 (PDF) for Field Experience, Secondary Practicum, Student Teaching and Apprenticeship Teaching.