American University
College of Arts and Sciences
School of Education, Teaching & Health
PRACTICUM SEMINAR - FALL 2014
CMC - TUESDAY 4:00 - 5:00 PM
Instructor: Susan Jaffe
Office Hours: By appointment
Phone: 301-717-2861
E-mail: jaffe@american.edu
Course Description
The practicum placement offers the opportunity to familiarize students to the logistics of teaching, while
gaining firsthand experience on classroom and pedagogical practices. The practicum seminar will focus
on various topics specific to the practicum experience as well as relevant teaching and educational issues.
Students are expected to attend four seminars. Completion of a pre and post survey is requested.
Prerequisite: Taken concurrently with methods courses.
Essential Questions:
How will knowledge of theory provide a framework for teaching in the classroom?
How will the practicum experience provide a foundation for student teaching?
Learning Outcomes:
• Formulate/explore teaching goals
• Explore your beliefs as an educator
Recommended Readings:
• Denton, Paula, EdD. (2007). The Power of Our Words. Turners Fall, MA: Northeast Foundation
for Children.
• InTASC Model Core Teaching Standards
http://www.iue.edu/education/assessment/documents/InTASC-May2012andbeyond.pdf
• The Common Core State Standards - www.corestandards.org
Course Requirements/Assessments
Attendance
This class is not required; however, it is hoped that everyone will try to attend several sessions throughout
the semester.
Only registered students can attend class. Non-registered students or family, children or
guests of registered students cannot attend class.
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Practicum Seminar Topics
Fall, 2014
DATE
AUG.
26
SEPT.
2
TOPIC
SCHEDULED
SPEAKER(S)
ATTENDANCE
Brianna Kirsch
Arielle Klane
11
Danna Hailfinger
-
MEET AND GREET
INTRODUCTION AND
OVERVIEW FOR
ELEMENTARY EDUCATION
STUDENTS
What to expect in your practicum?
Goals/fears
SEPT.
9
Guest speakers: Former elementary
education AU students
INTRODUCTION AND
OVERVIEW FOR SECONDARY
EDUCATION STUDENTS
What to expect in your practicum?
Goals/fears
Guest speaker: AU secondary
education student who recently
completed practicum
Classroom management
SEPT.
16
Guest Speaker:
SEPT. Communicating with parents
Amy Trenkle
23
SEPT. Teacher evaluations
30
Working with people you might not
OCT.
choose as friends
7
Grading student work
OCT.
14
Teacher Lounge etiquette
OCT.
21
Classroom Organization
OCT.
28
"Hot topics"
NOV.
Current issues in education
4
Exploring various philosophies and
NOV.
approaches to teaching
11
The collaborative nature of teaching
NOV.
and additional responsibilities
18
Practicum Week - no class
DEC.
2
Please note: This schedule may be adjusted.
13
5
3
7
4
2
4
3
No class
9
No class
2
Philosophy of the School of Education, Teaching & Health
The mission of the School (SETH) is the professional development of dedicated and proficient teachers,
educational leaders, health professionals, and researchers. Graduates should be equipped to accommodate
learner needs, to nurture the strengths and talents of those they serve, and to provide leadership in large
and small organizations, classrooms, educational institutions, and public policy arenas. In partial
fulfillment of that mission, SETH offers programs that prepare teachers, educational leaders and
managers, education specialists, health promotion specialists, and researchers for careers in schools,
colleges and universities, federal, state and local government agencies, business, and community and
professional organizations. These programs provide candidates with opportunities to collaborate with
professionals in public schools, educational organizations, and federal agencies through internships,
practice, and research. Graduates are equipped to meet individual needs, to nurture the strengths and
talents of those individuals, and to initiate and provide leadership in classrooms, educational institutions,
and in the public policy arena. The mission of the SETH is derived from the faculty's shared conviction
that the fundamental task preparing effective professionals who understand and model a commitment to
excellence, equity, community and diversity.
The School of Education, Teaching & Health faculty and staff are committed to celebrating diversity and
building a community of learners. As we work in collaboration in and out of the classroom:
• We believe that respecting each other's differences and opinions leads to a positive and open
environment,
• We believe that open discourse promotes reflective and thoughtful educators,
• We believe that equitable treatment of each other is necessary for a positive, sustained, and
working community, and
• We believe that each and every member of the community can make a valuable contribution to
the community.
These beliefs in action provide for all students, staff, and faculty a safe, productive, and positive
educational community.
General Information for School of Education Courses
Information about the University
There are three University publications you will need to refer to for various academic issues:
The University Catalog
http://www.american.edu/provost/registrar/universitycatalog.cfm
The Academic Regulations
Undergraduate:
http://www.american.edu/provost/undergrad/undergrad-rules-and-regulations-toc.cfm
Graduate:
http://www.american.edu/provost/grad/grad-rules-and-regulations-toc.cfm
The Student Handbook
http://www.american.edu/ocl/studentguide/
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Registration
Faculty members are expected to deny a place in the class to any person who has not been
formally registered, unless that student is attending a portion of a course for valid academic
reasons with the permission of the instructor and the dean or teaching unit head. Discontinuation
of attendance at class or notification to the instructor does not constitute an official withdrawal.
This means only formally registered students can attend classes. Children and other family
members of students are not permitted in class. Formal registration can be verified through the
"Academics" section on the student's <myAU.american.edu> portal account. Class participation
on Blackboard (without formal enrollment in the course) does NOT equal formal registration.
Incomplete Grades - Undergraduate
http://www.american.edu/provost/undergrad/undergrad-rules-and-regulations.cfm#3.5
Incomplete Grades - Graduate
http://www.american.edu/provost/grad/grad-rules-and-regulations-toc.cfm
Academic Integrity Code
http://www.american.edu/academics/integrity/
Students are expected to conform to the regulations of the University in regard to academic
integrity, especially in regard to plagiarism, inappropriate collaboration, dishonesty in
examinations, dishonesty in papers, work for one course and submitted to another, deliberate
falsification of data, interference with other students' work, and copyright violation.
Services for Students with Disabilities
http://www.american.edu/ocl/sccrs/Services-for-Students-504.cfm
Appropriate modifications to academic requirements may be necessary on a case-by-case basis to
ensure educational opportunity for students with disabilities, and individual faculty members may
need to modify specific course requirements to permit equal participation by students with
disabilities.
Protection of Human Subjects
http://www.american.edu/irb
Any research involving interviewing, surveying, or observing human beings is subject to review
and approval by the University Institutional Review Board (IRB) and information about the
university’s IRB process is outlined at http://american.edu/irb The university IRB liaison is
Matthew Zembrzuski and his email is irb@american.edu
Using Appropriate Documentation Formats
The School of Education, Teaching & Health permits the use of two formats for research
citations, footnotes, list of references, and layout, and all written work must adhere to those
guidelines:
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Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, Sixth Edition, Washington, D.C.:
American Psychological Association, 2009. Online guide at
http://www.apastyle.org/manual/index.aspx
OR
The MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers (7th edition) Modern Language Association
of America (2009). Online guide at http://www.mlahandbook.org/fragment/public_index
Failure to use the format selected appropriately and accurately will result in a grade penalty.
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