Field Experience
Beginning in the sophomore year, students in the majors leading to certification participate in a full-day field experiences in local schools each week.
Any questions can be directed to Mrs. Megan Norris, Director of Student Teaching and Field Experience, at 610.902.8348 or mln49@cabrini.edu
Eligibility - Students participating in field experience must have:
- an overall grade point average of 3.0 or better
- current clean record/clearances
- Pennsylvania Child Abuse (valid for only one year)
- Pennsylvania Criminal History (valid for only one year)
- FBI Criminal History
(valid as long as the student remains in the same program) - TB (Mantoux) test: a negative Tuberculin skin test is required (good for two years).
- This can be done at Cabrini Health Services or by a family physician.
- Tuberculin Test - PDF
Field Experiences in Sophomore Year
All Pre-K-4, Pre-K-4 with SPE (Pk-12), Middle Level, and Secondary Education majors participate in a regular Wednesday, full-day field experience course during the sophomore year.
Students are assigned an appropriate school and classroom. A School of Education faculty member provides assignments and supervision. Some seminar sessions may be on campus and other assignments are in the field placement.
Students are expected to become familiar with public or private school settings. Evaluations of settings, investigation of local school programs, and supervised work with pupils are encouraged. Cooperating teachers rate students' performance and make recommendations regarding students' dispositional skills for the certification track of the education major.
Students must meet the GPA requirement of 3.0, set by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Grading standards are published in the Field Experience Handbook.
Field Experiences in Junior Year
All Pre-K-4, Pre-K-4 with SPE (PK-12), Middle Level, and Secondary Education majors participate in a regular Wednesday, full-day, field experience. Students are exposed to a variety of school settings during the course of their field placements.
Regular College-based seminars and transportation to field assignments are the responsibility of the student. In addition to School of Education faculty supervision, the cooperating teacher at the field site evaluates the student's work and makes recommendations regarding the student's progress.
To be considered a candidate for certification, students must be evaluated as satisfactory by the cooperating teacher and the faculty supervisor. Students must meet the GPA requirement of 3.0, set by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
Senior Year for Students Seeking a Teaching Certification
The senior year for all students in a certification program includes a 10-day senior field experience followed by a 14-week student teaching experience. These two experiences occur across two consecutive semesters and are typically in the same classroom.
Because the two experiences are in the same classroom, the student must complete an application for senior field and student teaching simultaneously at least six months prior to the semester they wish to be placed for senior field (i.e. May 30 for the following spring placements, January 30 for the following fall placements). Questions about this experience can be directed to Mrs. Megan Norris, Director of Student Teaching and Field Experience, at 610.902.8348 or mln49@cabrini.edu
Post-baccalaureate students do not complete a senior field experience.
During Senior Field, students are expected to become acquainted with school rules and policies, learn classroom schedules, observe management techniques and begin some teaching responsibilities by working with individuals and small groups. The cooperating teacher and Cabrini supervisor must review each student's progress and make recommendations for the student's next semester. The following workbook may be modified to met current PDE competencies: