Starting Fall 2008 the College of Education will no longer place Tallahassee-based interns in Area 2. The College of Education will continue to support placement of interns in Areas 1, 3, 4, and 5.

Preparing Educational Leaders in a Community of Professional Partners

Purpose

A key component of a candidate's teacher education program is their work with a diversity of PK-12 students, teachers and schools in the field. The Office of Clinical Experiences works with the teacher preparation programs throughout the University to coordinate field based experiences with PK-12 schools and students.

Student teaching is the final chapter in the teacher preparation process. The Office of Clinical Experiences is responsible for coordinating the final identification and screening of all candidates who make application for student teaching. FSU Faculty and Programs recommend candidates for student teaching placement when they believe the candidate is prepared to demonstrate the content, professional knowledge and skills needed to help students learn in a PK-12 classroom. Candidates have been assessed on each of the FSU FEAP indicators twice before program faculty recommend them for Student Teaching. Student Teaching is the "final exam," the opportunity for a candidate to successfully demonstrate their professional competency in each of the Florida Educator Accomplished Practices at the Pre-Professional Level as well as demonstrate a positive impact on PK-12 student learning.

The Office of Clinical Experiences works with FSU faculty and our PK-12 Partners to find the right placement for each student teacher. Our student teachers have the opportunity to be placed in schools within five area centers within Florida. Each center is staffed by an experienced educator who oversee placement, provides active supervision, and acts as intermediary/counselor should problems arise. This organization provides Florida State University with the ability to address teacher vacancy needs throughout Florida.

The Office of Clinical Experiences and the teacher education programs seek diverse placements that are challenging, but manageable; nurturing but not smothering; enriched by supervising teachers eager to help renew the profession by sharing their expertise with others. The Office provides the student teachers with diversity of placements and supportive supervision in an internship that will challenge and help re-affirm their choice of profession.

The faculty and staff of the Office of Clinical Experiences, 312 Stone Building (STB) are here to help you through the application and placement process and to support you during this critical field based internship.