Fieldwork - Term by Term
Fieldwork in Education takes place in a K-12 mainstream classroom with a teacher that holds the same licensure as what is pursued by the St. Catherine University student. SCU students are assigned to one of the partner schools and expected to be active in the classroom during their visits to the school. Students will work with the K-12 students and teacher to gain knowledge and skills as a prospective teacher. They should assist the teacher and students with instructional and non-instructional tasks in order to get a feel for how a classroom and school work. A list of suggested activities and assignments will be define the details.
The SCU student is training for the profession of teaching and should use a professional manner during his/her fieldwork. Be on time and arrive on the planned day. They should not cancel a fieldwork visit at the last minute unless absolutely necessary. They must make proper notification.
Professional dress, appearance, and communication are expected, as students are serving as ambassadors for St. Catherine’s. Remember that the teacher and school may not be exactly what you anticipate, so learn from something that may be new to you.
Classroom teachers that host the SCU student usually base part of their evaluation on the SCU student’s professionalism, commitment to their fieldwork, and attendance.
Entry Level Fieldwork
Term I (Fall)
Students complete up to 50 hours of fieldwork the first term depending on what program they are in (Day, WEC, Graduate) and their licensure area, (Elementary, Secondary, K-12). MLIS students will follow the process for entry level fieldwork. Montessori students will complete their assignments through their Montessori-based practicum.
The first fieldwork placement is assigned for the course EDUC 2070/5070, Teachers as Leaders in a Changing Society. The duties will include one-on-one tutoring combined with work in a classroom assisting a teacher and children. This fieldwork takes place in a 20% ethnically diverse school. SCU students are assigned a partner school in St. Paul or Minneapolis that aligns with their licensure area (elementary, secondary, K-12).
This fieldwork is arranged through the SCU Education Department fieldwork office. The Department maintains school partnerships for this purpose. This fieldwork site will serve as the site for the other courses that the student is taking during the same term, such as General Methods. SCU students will use the first fieldwork for the Winter Semester/Term if needed. The times and days are during school hours once every week until finals week. SCU students need to make time in their schedule and choose a time from the assigned times. Some students may need to take vacation time for fieldwork. SCU students are evaluated by the classroom teacher.
Methods Level Fieldwork
Term II - SECONDARY and K-12 (Winter)
Students will be assigned a placement for the special methods course through the Education Placement office, or their own choice.
Term II Elementary WEC and Graduate (Winter)
Fieldwork sites from Term I are used for Winter term fieldwork.
Term II Elementary Day (Winter)
Core Subject fieldwork, WEC, Graduate (Literacy)
The core subject, Literacy fieldwork consists of eight mornings (once per week) in the middle of the term. Dates are in the syllabi. Other courses use sites from Term I or arrange with instructor. Middle Level specialty students will work with the course instructor.
Term III Elementary, Day (Fall)
Core Subject fieldwork (Math, Science, Social Studies)
Math, science, and social studies fieldwork consists of five mornings or afternoons (once per week) during the middle weeks of the term. Dates are posted in the syllabi
Term IV Elementary, WEC and Graduate (Fall)
Core Subject fieldwork (Math, Science, Social Studies)
Math, science, and social studies fieldwork consists of five mornings or afternoons (once per week) during the middle weeks of the term. Dates are posted in the syllabi
Core Subject fieldwork, WEC, Graduate (Literacy)
Literacy fieldwork consists of eight mornings (once per week) in the middle of the term. Dates are posted in the syllabi. Students may have two fieldwork assignments on some days for the various core subjects.
Students take on more instructional activities and get a feel for teaching. Methods level fieldwork will occur in a Professional Development School (PDS). A Professional Development School is a school with which the SCU Education Department has a structured, on-going partnership to provide sequenced, authentic fieldwork experiences that provide students with opportunities to observe in classrooms, hone lesson planning and teaching skills, collaborate with licensed teachers, in preparation for full-time student teaching. Faculty work with their students at the PDS.
Kindergarten specialty fieldwork will be arranged in the kindergarten methods course. Day (Fall), WEC,Graduate (Winter)
Term V Elementary – Middle School Specialty only - Day, WEC, Graduate (Winter/Spring)
Students will apply for fieldwork through the special methods course.
Student Teaching
Final Term
Student teaching typically takes place during the final term of a bachelor’s degree depending on the licensure of the SCU student. Students are responsible for applying the year before the anticipated year of student teaching. They choose Fall or Winter term. Students work through the Education Placement office to be placed and they student teach the entire semester (14 weeks) all day every day. This may require a leave from a job for some SCU students.
Student teaching is the final fieldwork and will include a sequenced opportunity for teaching in an authentic class setting with a master teacher and class.