Early Field Experience

Our early field experiences provide pre-service teachers an opportunity to observe and/or interact with students in the surrounding public school districts. These placements must be secured through the Field Placement Office. Do not attempt to secure a placement yourself. School and district administrators have strict policies against students securing their own placements. Contact needs to come from KU only.

Guidelines that will help you understand what to expect when you enter the school as an observer/aide:

1. After you know what classroom and school you will be observing, contact the teacher AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
2. Arrange a time for observation that is convenient for BOTH the teacher and you. It will take some juggling of schedules, but it will work. Learn both the school's and your clinical supervisor's daily schedule. Avoid scheduling observations during breaks, or starting an observation once the teacher has already begun teaching.
3. Before your first observation or meeting with the teacher, do a "trial run" in which you determine how long it will take you to get there, or which bus you will need to use.
4. Arrive at your school at least 10 minutes before your observation time to find parking, check in at the office, and locate the room. Parking may be a problem at some schools. Cars illegally parked in restricted areas will be towed at the owner's expense.
5. Check in at the office every time you visit the school. Many schools require visitors and guests to wear "visitor badges" or pins.
6. If you are unable to keep your observation appointment notify the teacher as soon as possible.
7. To ensure a positive learning environment for the students in the classroom, it is inappropriate to talk while the teacher is presenting a lesson. Likewise, your phone should be turned off and out of sight.
8. Understand that you are a guest in the school. Your behavior should reflect this basic understanding. Therefore, dress appropriately. Your appearance should reflect a professional attitude. Do not wear hats, shorts, sunglasses, or clothing with inappropriate slogans. Do not chew gum. Dress and act as if you were the teacher.
9. Notify your small group instructor or course instructor AS SOON AS POSSIBLE of any problems or scheduling complications. The sooner we know, the sooner we can help.
10. Be prepared to briefly describe the course for which you are observing and the purpose and requirements of your visits.
11. Courtesy demands that you thank the teacher you have observed as you leave the classroom. Keep in mind that the teacher is doing KU a great favor by opening up his/her classroom to students. At the conclusion of this semester, a thank you note to the teacher is a great gesture.

How to submit an Early Field Experience request:

• Attend class for specific instructions from your instructor. He or she will provide you with the field experience requirements for the course you taking.
• The Field Placement Office will try to place you in the Lawrence School District first. However, many of you will have to travel for your field experiences. Please provide your instructor with alternate district options within the first week of class. He or she will send the Placement Office this list to work from. In other words, be prepared to travel! If you don’t have a car, you may need to borrow one or use the bus service.
• Likewise, you will need to do everything possible to work around your clinical supervisor’s teacher schedule and arrange observation times. If there is absolutely no way you can make it work, contact the Placement Office (mherm@ku.edu).
• When your placement is confirmed, contact the teacher ASAP. You can usually find a teacher’s email address on the school web site if it is not provided to you. There have been many instances where students have waited too long to contact their cooperating teacher, and the teacher later declines to allow the student in his or her classroom. If this happens, the Field Placement Office is not required to find you a new placement.