Learning & Behavior Specialist II
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Auditory/Oral Specialist
We are anxious to introduce you to the Illinois State University's Special Education Field Based Program which is a semester long "Pre Student Teaching" experience.
The Field Based semester takes place first semester of the senior year when candidates are actively engaged in their methods courses. They have already finished their core courses and have had several experiences in the public school classrooms, including a practicum!
Participants are immersed in university coursework for the equivalent of one day per week while placed with their cooperating teacher the rest of the week. The beauty of this schedule is that the students receive direct instruction in curriculum, methods, materials and behavioral interventions. However, they can see the theory put into practice as they spend the majority of time with the classroom teacher. Additionally, the grading is done on course work by the ISU instructor while grading is done on classroom performance by an ISU supervisor who will visit the classroom periodically. This frees the cooperating teacher to be the model and the mentor.
Cooperating teachers enjoy the readily available access to a supervisor with whom they can share ideas and ask questions. Cooperating teachers also can see what their Field Based students are learning in class ... fresh ideas that they may want to incorporate into their own classroom. Administrators welcome the chance to recruit new special educators as well as have a professional development opportunity for current teachers
Some school districts actually prefer having Illinois State Field Based students as opposed to student teachers because the class is never fully given over to the student. They will be developing lessons and teaching in the cooperating teacher's classroom, but they will not be totally responsible for the class. We ask that they have access to the teacher's professional materials and his or her expertise. These are students who need to see how the best Special Education teachers behave with their colleagues, parents, as well as their students. And as you know, that is something that is best learned "on the job."
Please feel free to with any questions or call me at (309) 438-5053 for a chat.
I look forward to welcoming you to the Field Based Team!
Karen Mills
Student Teacher Coordinator for Special Education at Illinois State University