External Student Teaching Preliminary Approval Packet

434-592-5056

Fax: 434-582-2468 www.liberty.edu/education

Requirements for External Student Teaching

Student teaching in an external placement is considered a privilege (not an automatic right) and only granted to those teacher candidates who show exemplary scholarship, professionalism, and Christian conduct. The requirements for student teaching candidates seeking an external placement are as follows:

1.  Full acceptance into the Teacher Licensure Program

2.  A cumulative GPA of 3.00 or above is required (including the semester prior to student teaching)

3.  Grades of B or above in all professional education courses including subject area methods courses (including the semester prior to student teaching)

4.  All required licensure tests (Praxis I, VCLA, RVE/VRA, Praxis II) must be passed by the due date of the Gate 3 application.

5.  The External Student Teaching Preliminary Approval Packet forms are complete, accurate, signed (or emailed) by the appropriate faculty.

6.  Faculty Affirmation - A passing vote of affirmation from all Teacher Education faculty members (votes taken in a Teacher Education Department Meeting). The affirmation vote will endorse the candidate’s competence, work ethic, attitude, professionalism, and general ability to succeed in an external placement.

Types of External Student Teaching Available

1.  International Student Teaching (outside the U.S.)

2.  National Student teaching in the U.S. (but NOT in Central Virginia)

INTERNATIONAL - External Student Teaching (Outside U.S.)

Because student teaching overseas offers the inherent value of experiencing another culture, which is consistent with the current educational emphasis on global citizenship, Liberty University has made arrangements for a limited number of external placements in foreign countries. Placements must be completed in an accredited public, private, and/or Christian school.

The External Student Teaching Preliminary Approval Packet for international/overseas placements must be submitted with the Gate 3 Application to LiveText (due by Sep. 1 for a Spring placement and Feb. 1 for a Fall placement).

NATIONAL - External student teaching (Within U.S.)

Candidates have two options for completing student teaching within the United States. They may

1.  Choose an accredited public, private, and/or Christian school anywhere in the United States. (Accrediting bodies may include ACSI, AACS, WASC, SACS, etc.) Accreditation (not membership) is required.

2.  "LOCAL" public school placements in Central Virginia MUST go through the Field Placement Office. "LOCAL" placements would include the following areas: Amherst County, Appomattox County, Bedford County, Botetourt County, Campbell County, Danville City, Lynchburg City, Nelson County, Pittsylvania County, Roanoke City, Roanoke County, and Salem City.

Gate 3 Application Deadlines

Applications for external placements within the U.S. must be submitted by:

·  Sept. 1st for a Spring student teaching placement OR

·  Feb. 1st for a Fall student teaching placement

May I contact the school to begin making initial arrangements for my placement?

Some school systems do not permit students to make direct contact or request. If your preferred school system is listed on this site, you will need to allow the External Field Office to submit the request on your behalf. Please review the list of schools as found here: http://www.liberty.edu/academics/education/teacher/index.cfm?PID=25664. If your preferred school system is not listed on this site, please initiate discussion with the school system for arranging your placement.

After initial arrangements, each student teaching placement will be officially requested and approved by the External Field Office. (Teacher candidates should gather information, but the placement must be officially approved by the Teacher Education Department.) The external placement school must be accredited and the cooperating teacher(s) must be certified in the appropriate subject area with a minimum of three years of teaching experience. The on-site supervisor must hold at least a master's degree and must have classroom teaching experience. Each student teacher will also be assigned to a university supervisor for weekly online contact. The teacher candidate is responsible for transportation as well as room and board.

What forms do I need to submit?

1.  INFORMATION FORMS: Complete the “Candidate Information Sheet and Placement Information Sheet” packet. Packet can be found attached to the LiveText Gate 3 Application. Forms should be reattached to the LiveText application once completed.

2.  REFERENCE FORMS: Deliver the reference forms to the appropriate faculty members and the faculty members will return the forms to the Field Team.

Reference Forms

Applicants for external student teaching must demonstrate the level of spiritual and professional maturity required to function with less direct support from the campus faculty. Please type the required information in the following reference pages; the rationale section should explain where you would like to student teach and the reason for choosing this external placement. After typing and completing the forms, you will need to print, sign, and deliver them to the faculty members. Each faculty member will fill out the recommendation section and return the form to the Field Team for you! Do NOT ask for the Reference Form back because it must be taken to the Field Team by the faculty member.

Required Reference Forms:

1.  Education Professor

2.  Education Professor

3.  Education Professor (300 level courses) for Elementary, Special Ed, and Dual Majors OR

Content Professor (for Secondary Majors)

4.  Education Program Coordinator

NOTE: The Reference Forms #1, #2, and #3 must be completed by faculty members who have served as your instructor for a minimum of one full semester.

Program Directors:

1.  Elementary: Professor Esther Alcindor ()

2.  Content: Dr. Andrea Beam ()

3.  Special Education: Dr. Deanna Keith ()

Informational Meeting

There will be a mandatory Informational Meeting the semester before the placement begins. Be sure to make plans to attend this important meeting where you will be notified of specific requirements you must fulfill during your student teaching placement. This meeting generally takes place on Reading Day.

Recommendation for External Student Teaching Candidacy
Reference Form #1: EDUCATION PROFESSOR
Undergraduate candidates seeking an external student teaching placement must complete this reference form in partial requirement to their Gate 3 Student Teaching Application. The candidate should provide this reference form to the faculty member (hardcopy OR electronic version is acceptable). The faculty member is responsible for submitting the completed and signed form to the School of Education (DH 1150 or ).
SECTION 1: To be completed by the STUDENT TEACHER CANDIDATE
STUDENT NOTE: Please complete SECTION 1 in its entirety. Your rationale should be a thorough explanation indicating your reason for seeking an external placement. Please know that faculty members will not sign an incomplete reference form.
Applicant’s Name: / LU ID: / Cumulative GPA:
Major/Endorsement Area: / ST Semester:
Rationale:
Applicant’s Signature: / Date:
SECTION 2: To be completed by the FACULTY MEMBER
FACULTY NOTE: Please read through this recommendation form thoroughly before signing and submitting. The professor must have served as the candidate’s instructor for a minimum of one full semester to qualify as an individual of reference. Also, please do NOT sign this reference form if it is not completed in its entirety!
YES / NO / Area of Recommendation (Please check YES or NO for each statement.)
The candidate completes work thoroughly, promptly, and consistently. The candidate displays exemplary work ethic and is self-motivated to complete all assignments.
The candidate communicates well in person and in online environments.
The candidate demonstrates good character, attitude, and a willingness to follow instructions and submit to authority.
General Recommendation (Please check ONE statement below. Provide explanation below for “Recommend with Reservation” and “Do Not Recommend.”)
I highly recommend that this applicant be approved for external student teaching.
I recommend with reservation that this applicant be approved for external student teaching. Please see comments below.
I do not recommend that this applicant be approved for external student teaching. Please see comment below.
General Comments:
Faculty Member (Print): / Department:
Faculty Signature: / Date:
REMINDER: The faculty member is responsible for submitting the completed and signed form to the School of Education (DH 1150 or ).
Recommendation for External Student Teaching Candidacy
Reference Form #2: EDUCATION PROFESSOR
Undergraduate candidates seeking an external student teaching placement must complete this reference form in partial requirement to their Gate 3 Student Teaching Application. The candidate should provide this reference form to the faculty member (hardcopy OR electronic version is acceptable). The faculty member is responsible for submitting the completed and signed form to the School of Education (DH 1150 or ).
SECTION 1: To be completed by the STUDENT TEACHER CANDIDATE
STUDENT NOTE: Please complete SECTION 1 in its entirety. Your rationale should be a thorough explanation indicating your reason for seeking an external placement. Please know that faculty members will not sign an incomplete reference form.
Applicant’s Name: / LU ID: / Cumulative GPA:
Major/Endorsement Area: / ST Semester:
Rationale:
Applicant’s Signature: / Date:
SECTION 2: To be completed by the FACULTY MEMBER
FACULTY NOTE: Please read through this recommendation form thoroughly before signing and submitting. The professor must have served as the candidate’s instructor for a minimum of one full semester to qualify as an individual of reference. Also, please do NOT sign this reference form if it is not completed in its entirety!
YES / NO / Area of Recommendation (Please check YES or NO for each statement.)
The candidate completes work thoroughly, promptly, and consistently. The candidate displays exemplary work ethic and is self-motivated to complete all assignments.
The candidate communicates well in person and in online environments.
The candidate demonstrates good character, attitude, and a willingness to follow instructions and submit to authority.
General Recommendation (Please check ONE statement below. Provide explanation below for “Recommend with Reservation” and “Do Not Recommend.”)
I highly recommend that this applicant be approved for external student teaching.
I recommend with reservation that this applicant be approved for external student teaching. Please see comments below.
I do not recommend that this applicant be approved for external student teaching. Please see comment below.
General Comments:
Faculty Member (Print): / Department:
Faculty Signature: / Date:
REMINDER: The faculty member is responsible for submitting the completed and signed form to the School of Education (DH 1150 or ).
Recommendation for External Student Teaching Candidacy
Reference Form #3: EDUCATION or CONTENT PROFESSOR
Undergraduate candidates seeking an external student teaching placement must complete this reference form in partial requirement to their Gate 3 Student Teaching Application. The candidate should provide this reference form to the faculty member (hardcopy OR electronic version is acceptable). The faculty member is responsible for submitting the completed and signed form to the School of Education (DH 1150 or ).
SECTION 1: To be completed by the STUDENT TEACHER CANDIDATE
STUDENT NOTE: Please complete SECTION 1 in its entirety. Your rationale should be a thorough explanation indicating your reason for seeking an external placement. Please know that faculty members will not sign an incomplete reference form.
Applicant’s Name: / LU ID: / Cumulative GPA:
Major/Endorsement Area: / ST Semester:
Rationale:
Applicant’s Signature: / Date:
SECTION 2: To be completed by the FACULTY MEMBER
FACULTY NOTE: Please read through this recommendation form thoroughly before signing and submitting. The professor must have served as the candidate’s instructor for a minimum of one full semester to qualify as an individual of reference. Also, please do NOT sign this reference form if it is not completed in its entirety!
YES / NO / Area of Recommendation (Please check YES or NO for each statement.)
The candidate completes work thoroughly, promptly, and consistently. The candidate displays exemplary work ethic and is self-motivated to complete all assignments.
The candidate communicates well in person and in online environments.
The candidate demonstrates good character, attitude, and a willingness to follow instructions and submit to authority.
General Recommendation (Please check ONE statement below. Provide explanation below for “Recommend with Reservation” and “Do Not Recommend.”)
I highly recommend that this applicant be approved for external student teaching.
I recommend with reservation that this applicant be approved for external student teaching. Please see comments below.
I do not recommend that this applicant be approved for external student teaching. Please see comment below.
General Comments:
Faculty Member (Print): / Department:
Faculty Signature: / Date:
REMINDER: The faculty member is responsible for submitting the completed and signed form to the School of Education (DH 1150 or ).
Recommendation for External Student Teaching Candidacy
Reference Form #4: PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Undergraduate candidates seeking an external student teaching placement must complete this reference form in partial requirement to their Gate 3 Student Teaching Application. The candidate should provide this reference form to the faculty member (hardcopy OR electronic version is acceptable). The faculty member is responsible for submitting the completed and signed form to the School of Education (DH 1150 or ).
SECTION 1: To be completed by the STUDENT TEACHER CANDIDATE
STUDENT NOTE: Please complete SECTION 1 in its entirety. Your rationale should be a thorough explanation indicating your reason for seeking an external placement. Please know that faculty members will not sign an incomplete reference form. **Attach updated/current DCPA**
Applicant’s Name: / LU ID: / Cumulative GPA:
Major/Endorsement Area: / ST Semester:
Rationale (Attach current DCPA with this recommendation form):
Applicant’s Signature: / Date:
SECTION 2: To be completed by the FACULTY MEMBER
FACULTY NOTE: Please read through this recommendation form thoroughly before signing and submitting. Please review DCPA to ensure candidate has a B or above in all professional education courses, including subject area methods courses, please do NOT sign this reference form if it is not completed in its entirety! The Program Director will finalize the form when external candidacy is addressed at the Official Department Meeting.
General Recommendation (Please check ONE statement below. Provide explanation below for “Recommend with Reservation” and “Do Not Recommend.”)
I highly recommend that this applicant be approved for external student teaching.
I recommend with reservation that this applicant be approved for external student teaching. Please see comments below.
I do not recommend that this applicant be approved for external student teaching. Please see comment below.
General Comments:
YES / NO / DCPA
I have reviewed the candidate’s DCPA to verify that a B or higher was earned in all professional education courses, including subject area method courses. Please indicate “NO” if candidate did not receive all grades of B or higher OR candidate did not attach DCPA.
ACCEPTED / DENIED / FINAL DECISION
I have checked on this candidate to ensure that he/she received full Faculty Affirmation in a Teacher Education department meeting. Please check whether student teacher candidate has been accepted or denied for external student teaching placement by faculty.
Faculty Member (Print): / Department:
Faculty Signature: / Date:
REMINDER: The faculty member is responsible for submitting the completed and signed form to the School of Education (DH 1150 or ).