Teacher Preparation and Certification Orientation

Teacher Preparation and Certification OrientationUndergraduate Programs

1Welcome to the Texas A&M University San Antonio Teacher Preparation and Certification Program. This presentation is provided to ensure that all candidates for teacher certification at TAMU-SA understand basic components and requirements for becoming a certified teacher and also how to get help if needed.

Teacher Preparation and Certification Center (TPCC) staff:

Yesena RangelRebecca LongoriaAdministrative Asst. IIICertification Officer210-784-2502210-784-2509yesena.rangel@ramusa.tamus.edu rebecca.longoria@tamusa.tamus.edu

Julie KnickrehmJesse GarzaTesting and Assessment OfficerCoordinator of Field Based Placements210-784-2510210-784-2566jknickre@tamusa.tamus.edujesse.garza@tamusa.tamus.edu

Margaret Garza Gerri MartinezGTCP SpecialistAdministrative Assistant III-Ready from Day One210-784-2508210-784-2561margaret.garcia@tamusa.tamus.edu geraldine.martinez@tamusa.tamus.edu Administration and Advising staff:

Annette GonzalesDr. Sam GarciaDirector of TPCCDepartment Chair-Education and Kinesiology210-784-2502210-784-2505Patricia.gonzales@tamusa.tamus.edusamuel.garcia@tamusa.tamus.edu

Dr. Eric LopezChristine MorylHead of School-Education and KinesiologyAdministrative Asst III-School Heads office210-784-2501210-784-2501eric.lopez@tamusa.tamus.educhristine.moryl@tamusa.tamus.edu

Marisela GarciaAna Maria OrnelasAcademic Advisor Academic Advisor210-784-1413210-784-1412Marisela.garcia@tamusa.tamus.eduanamaria.ornelas@tamusa.tamus.edu

Ana HernandezJon BazalduaAdministrative Asst III-Dept. ChairAcademic Advisor-GTCP210-784-2507210-784-2506Ana.hernandez@tamusa.tamus.edu roland.bazaldua@tamusa.tamus.edu

TAMU-SA Teacher Preparation and Certification Program

FOUNDATION

Credits and testing information that you transfer from another institution are very important. Credits, admission scores and GPAs on your undergraduate transcript are often needed in order to complete the TPCC application. Please be aware, that even though you have qualified for admission into TAMU-SA, there is a separate process for approval into the Teacher Preparation and Certification Program. Students generally complete the TPCC application process while in their 1st or 2nd semester at TAMU-SA.

WARNING: Admission into TAMU-SA, declaring Education as your major or having a certification plan DOES NOT mean you have been accepted into the Teacher Preparation and Certification Program. Applications for TPCC will be available and due each September and February.

TeacherPreparation (University)and Certification (TEA)

The coursework provided by the Field Based hoursUniversity designed to prepare youfor a specific certification areaState exam review sessions Student Teaching

State Exams

Degree + Passing State Exams = Certification

Prerequisite Courses

Once you have been admitted into TAMU-SA, you will declare a major. Most students will select a major in the School of Education and Kinesiology, however, candidates who wish to teach at the secondary level will select a major in their content area, Math, for example. You will meet with an advisor in your area, either Education and Kinesiology or Arts and Sciences. Be sure to tell your advisor that you want to be in the Teacher certification program. Your degree plan will be structured according to content and sequenced according to semesters.

DEGREE PLAN

It is very important to take coursework in the appropriate sequence, especially during semesters in which field based work is required.

Application for admission into the Teacher Preparation and Certification Program

The state of Texas awards Teacher certificates based upon recommendations from Educator Preparation Programs. In order for students to qualify for participation in an Educator Preparation program, candidates must meet criteria that is above and beyond university admission criteria. Applications for our TPCC program will be made available and are due in:

September for Spring admissionsFebruary for Fall admissions

Mark your calendars

Specific criteria for admission into the TPCC program are posted on-line or may be obtained in the TPCC office. A copy of verification that you viewed this presentation will also be required and is located at the end of this PowerPoint. By signing, you will be indicating that you have been informed of all items in this presentation.

Selecting Your Certification Pathway

Pre-service teachers at TAMU-SA have a choice of pathways in which to complete field based residency requirements. Prior to your first semester of field based experience, you will chose whether you will complete your program through the Ready from Day One- Cohort or the Ready from Day One Flex model.

Cohort ModelFlex OptionModel was developed in conjunction with Superintendents, Junior colleges, and best practice practitioners in Bexar County and surrounding areas.Students are required to meet eligibility criteria for acceptance to the TAMU-SA Teacher Preparation & Certification Program.A cohort of 10-15 students are interviewed, selected and assigned to a participating school district for 18 months.Limited to 6 participating districts per cohort.Students are paired with best practice mentors.Students are required of complete two semesters of field residency and one semester of student teaching.Students stay with the same mentor throughout the 18 month period.A university instructor is assigned to each cohort/district site and remains with the cohort for the 18 month program. The university supervisor teaches one of the required courses at a location within the participating district both semesters of field based residency.Students are required to complete all certification requirements including review sessions, practice tests and state examinations.

Flex Option was developed based upon the accepted university model in which students are assigned to different field placements each semester.Students are required to meet eligibility criteria for acceptance to the TAMU-SA Teacher Preparation & Certification Program.Students are assigned to districts and campuses based upon space availability.Participating districts may include all Bexar County districts and districts in surrounding counties.Students are assigned to mentor teachers each semester by districts based upon local criteria.Students are required to complete two semesters of field residency and one semester of student teaching.Students are assigned to a different mentor teacher each semester.A different university supervisor may be assigned each semester.All courses are taken at the university.Students are required to complete all certification requirements including review sessions, practice tests and state exams.

Texas A&M-San AntonioReady From Day OneTeacher Preparation Program

Ready from Day One- CohortReady from Day One is the signature teacher preparation pathway at TAMU-SA. This model was developed as a Model for Success initiative under the leadership of Dr. Maria Ferrier, president of Texas A&M-San Antonio. Under Dr. Ferriers direction, university representatives met with area superintendents, central office staff, principals and best practice teachers to develop an innovative approach to teacher preparation. The model that emerged is designed to enable TAMU-SA teachers to be prepared and effective on their very first day of employment ready from day one. Significant innovations of the Ready from Day One- Cohort model include:Being assigned to the same district, same campus and same mentor teacher for all three semesters of field residency, including student teaching;Learning from a mentor teacher who has been identified as a best practice or master teacher by the school district;Moving through field based courses and labs with a cohort of fellow students;Being assigned the same university supervisor for all three semesters andAttending designated courses in the school district instead of at the TAMU-SA campus.

Additional information about Ready from Day One, including an informational video, is available on the TAMU-SA website. Ready from Day One FlexFor many students, a more flexible option for field residency requirements provides the better preparation pathway. The flex program differs from the Ready from Day One- Cohort program in the following ways:Field based residency assignments may be different each semester and would expose students to a variety teaching styles;All courses are university based;The university supervisor assigned may be different each semester;A greater number of districts are available for field based placements;Scheduling may have greater flexibility

Field Based Residency 1 and 2

Field Based Residency 1: 64 hours of ACTIVE observing, lesson planning and lesson deliveryCompletion of 6 hours of state exam review sessionsTwo observations by university supervisorsOther requirements as assigned

Field Based Residency 2: 64 hours of ACTIVE observing, lesson planning and lesson delivery at a more sophisticated level than FB1Completion of practice tests including PPR and content, scores will be used for course creditTwo observations by university supervisorOther requirements as assigned

Each teacher certification candidate at TAMU-SA must complete two semesters of field residency in addition to student teaching. Students are urged to work closely with advisors in order to ensure that field residency labs are taken at the appropriate time in your degree plan. *Applications for Field Based Residency must be submitted in September or February, depending upon the semester in which the course will be taken. A separate application is required for each semester.Student TeachingThe student teaching semester is the culmination of all coursework and field residencies into a real life experience. Student Teaching should be taken in the students last semester and can be taken with no more than two additional courses. It is highly recommended that Student Teaching be the only course taken and that state exams be completed prior to student teaching.

TEA requires all pre-service candidates to complete student teaching. Only students who have been grandfathered into the Educational Aide Exemption program administered by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board may be exempt from student teaching. This exemption option is limited and TAMU-SA will establish a deadline for completion. If you feel you may qualify for this option, please contact the TPCC Certification Officer for verification.

Important Things to Know About the Student Teaching SemesterStudent Teachers are required to report to their designated assignment for 16 weeks The pre-service teachers duty day is the same as their mentor teachers cannot arrive late or leave earlyPre-service teachers must create an electronic portfolioFive formal observations will be conducted by mentor teacher and university supervisorRequired staff development and seminars will be provided and must be attendedState exams must be attempted before the end of the student teaching semester

University Supervisors will provide specific information regarding requirements at the first Student Teaching seminar.

DEGREE + STATE EXAMS + certification fee + fingerprinting = CERTIFICATION

When all testing and course requirements are successfully completed, TAMU-SA will recommend you to the Texas Education Agency and State Board of Education for issuance of your standard certificate. Please be aware that in order for your certificate to be issued, you will be required to pay a certification fee and be fingerprinted.

TPCC Orientation Verification FormPrint, Sign and Attach to your TPCC application

I have viewed all pages of the TPCC Orientation PowerPoint presentation. I understand that this presentation provided a general outline of requirements associated with successful completion of the TAMU-SA Teacher Preparation and Certification program, but is not all inclusive.

I understand that information regarding the TPCC program is located online at the TAMU-SA website. I also understand that specific information will be sent to me through my TAMU-SA Jaguar account and it is my responsibility to check my account regularly.

______________________________________Student SignatureDate