Office of Field Experiences Terminology - Fort Hays State University (FHSU)

Office of Field Experiences & Licensure Terminology

Types of Teachers & Candidates
Teacher Candidate	An individual enrolled in a teacher education preparation program that leads to a recommendation for initial-level state licensure.
Intern	Teacher candidate in an authentic educational setting for various duration and engaging in the pedagogical work of the profession of teaching, closely integrated with educator preparation course work and supported by a formal school-university partnership.
Student Teacher	Teacher Candidate that participates in the capstone clinical practice experience that is no less than one university semester. During the semester teacher candidates assume full responsibility for a pedagogical assignment under the coaching of a cooperating teacher, university supervisor, and university-based methods instructor.
Teacher	Any professionally prepared and licensed educator who uses pedagogy to facilitate student learning in an accredited school or licensed childcare facility.
Mentor Teacher	A teacher who serves as the primary school-based teacher educator for teacher candidates completing an internship.
Cooperating Teacher	A teacher who serves as the primary school-based teacher educator for teacher candidates completing clinical.
Types of Clinical Field Experiences
Internship	Clinical experience for Elementary Education, Early Childhood Unified, and Special Education teacher candidates in which pedagogical skills like management of a classroom, adjusting for individual student needs, utilizing developmentally appropriate practices are practiced in an authentic clinical setting under the supervision of a mentor teacher and quality methods instructor.
Early Field Experience	Observation only clinical experience for Secondary Education teacher candidates in which pedagogical skills like management of a classroom, adjusting for individual student needs, utilizing developmentally appropriate practices are practiced in an authentic clinical setting are observed.
Secondary School Experience	Clinical experience for Secondary Education teacher candidates in which pedagogical skills like management of a classroom, adjusting for individual student needs, and accommodating and/or modifying curriculum for special education students are practiced in an authentic clinical setting under the supervision of a mentor teacher and quality methods instructor.
Student Teaching	Capstone clinical practice experience in an accredited school or licensed facility for no less than one university semester. During the teacher candidate assumes full responsibility for a pedagogical assignment under the direct supervision of a cooperating teacher, university supervisor and university-based methods instructor.
Sponsored Student Teaching	Capstone clinical practice experience in an accredited school or licensed facility for no less than one university semester. The teacher candidate assumes independent responsibility for a pedagogical assignment from the first day of the site’s semester under the coaching of cooperating teacher, university supervisor and university-based methods instructor.
Sonia	Student placement software and database that assists in facilitation of field experience placements and serves as a database of teacher candidate field experience information
FHSU Faculty/Staff Members who Support Teacher Candidates
Methods Instructor	A University-based instructor for the teacher preparation program that engages in evaluation, coaching, instruction, and partnership.
Secondary Program Coordinator	Department member outside of the FHSU College of Education who advises/instructs/supports secondary education majors in that department; i.e. Math, English, History, PE, Music, Art, Applied Tech, etc.
University Supervisor	A current or former exemplary teacher (as defined by district administration and university faculty), current or retired administrator or Unit faculty that acts as an extension of the Office of Field Experience and Licensure to support and evaluate teacher candidates during the student teaching semester.
Office of Field Experiences & Licensure
Director of Field Experiences	Oversees all field experience placements, primarily responsible for secondary education and student teacher placements; Instructor of record for all student teachers in the final clinical experience
Academic Program Specialist-Admissions	Analyzes applications to Teacher Education and Student Teaching to ensure candidates meet requirements for admission and maintain eligibility through program completion
Faculty Program Coordinator	Facilitates ECU, Elementary Education, and SPED Internships
Sr. Administrative Asst	Supports the Office of Field Experience and candidates in placements, University Supervisors in assignments, primary site contact questions, collects required paperwork, and administers stipend payments
Licensure Officer	Verifies program completion and submits license applications to KSDE. Serves as a liaison for all education programs and oversees the T2T eligibility and licensure process
Academic Program Specialist—Transition to Teaching	First point of contact for Transition to Teaching (T2T) program. Determines eligibility for program, creates plans of study, and annual KSDE progress report.