MOREHEAD STATE UNIVERSITY
Master of Arts in Teaching Program
MAT Candidate Expectations
Liabilities and Responsibilities
MAT candidates hold the same legal responsibilities for the welfare of pupils under their direction, as do
teachers employed by the school system. The MAT candidate is liable for actions while participating in
school activities and may be tried in a court of law for mistakes, erroneous judgment or harmful acts.
Negligence involving the welfare of pupils is the most frequent basis for litigation, although these instances
are rare. The candidate should be alert to potential unsafe conditions or practices. On the basis of this legal
vulnerability, professional liability insurance is required and may be obtained to cover the entire
MAT experience. Liability insurance may be obtained from the National Education Association Student
Program or other private agencies. A criminal backgrounds record check must also be obtained and
forwarded to the MAT office.
Initial Visit Responsibilities
1.
Prior to the initial school visit—Candidates are encouraged to become aware of all aspects of
the learning community.
 Take time to visit the Kentucky Department of Education Website. It is highly recommended
that the School Report Card, CATS Performance Report, (analyze the results of your content
area and grade level), No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Report, and school website be
thoroughly investigated.
 Track B Candidates-Once the MAT school mentor is assigned, call to introduce your self.
Determine the date, time and location of your initial visit/conference with the school mentor.
Be sure to ask for directions to the school, if the location is unknown.
 Track A Candidates-Begin a dialogue with the MAT school mentor as soon as they are
identified. The school principal will assign this mentor as soon as possible.
 Dress professionally every day. Follow the dress codes and guidelines at the school where
you are teaching. Jeans are not appropriate.
2.
Most school districts provide “new teacher induction” programs that provide for Track A
MAT candidate participation. However, the bulleted items below include information of
interest to both Track A and Track B candidates.)
 Arrive at the school site relatively early.
 Upon entering the building, go to the Principal’s Office to sign-in.
 Secure a name badge, if they are provided.
 Be sure to take notes.
 Become familiar with the physical layout of the school.
 It is a state requirement that fire, earthquake and tornado drill procedures are posted in each
room the school. Take time to become acquainted with the information related to these
procedures.
 Obtain the school/class schedule and student handbook, teacher handbook, policy handbook
and safety handbook. Read all documents thoroughly and be prepared to adhere to all
policies and regulations that will affect you.
 Make it your business to become aware of teacher responsibilities as far as the total school is
concerned i.e., attendance, hallway duty, bus duty, teachers’ meetings, committee meetings,
etc.
 Obtain the home and cell telephone number of the school mentor and the telephone number of
school secretary, as there may be an emergency situation that requires immediate attention.
(Always notify school/mentor by phone and your MSU instructor by email if you must
be absent on a scheduled day.)
Modified 10/11
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Obtain copies of school/district curriculum materials.
Investigate available technology as well as instructional resources.
Obtain a list of suggested readings and available resource materials from the mentor teacher
to provide you with additional depth in your content area.
Ongoing Responsibilities
Attendance:
On-site classes-These classes are mandatory. Any absence must be pre-approved by the university
instructor or coordinators. If for any reason you are absent, a make-up date is mandatory. New
Teacher Standards are addressed through a variety of activities including on-site classes, MAT class
assignments and discussions on Blackboard in preparation for the Principles of Teaching and Learning
(PLT) assessment. For this reason, attendance at on-site classes is critical.
School assignment-The candidate displays their work ethic and commitment to the profession through
regular attendance. Informing the mentor/school in the event of an emergency or illness is mandatory.
Failing to attend the On-site will result in a grade reduction.
EDUC 650, 652, 651 & 653 Assignments:
Class assignments will be completed, approved by the school mentor and submitted to the University
Instructor in accordance with announced due dates.
Conferences:
The purpose of conferences is to provide the opportunity for the MAT candidates and the MAT school
mentor to discuss situations relating to teaching and learning.
TRACK A
(Full-time employment by public/private school at a
Rank III salary level, plus benefits while enrolled in
EDUC 650/651,652/653. Temporary Provisional
Certification)
Scheduling weekly conference session (1-2 hours
per week) is an expectation of the program.
Note: A Mentoring Inventory Flip Chart is
provided for documentation purposes and is used to
document and direct conferencing. The Evidence
Binder/ Journals/reflections will be used as
additional sources for conferencing topics.
TRACK B
(Not employed candidate. A minimum 60 hours
placement per semester when enrolled in EDUC
650/651, 652/653.)
Each day the MAT Candidate is scheduled at the
school site, conference time should be scheduled at
a time agreed upon by the MAT Candidate and the
MAT school mentor.
Note: A Mentoring Inventory Flip Chart and/or
time logs are provided for documentation purposes
and is used to document and direct conferencing..
The Evidence Binder, Journals/reflections may be
used as additional sources for conferencing topics.
Participation for Track B:
Modified 10/11
Beginning on the first day in the school, the MAT Track B Candidate should become actively involved in
classroom teaching/learning experiences. Be proactive in acquiring these experiences and involvement with
the class and students. Examples of activities that may not take place in an instructional setting but are
important to know about include:
 Collecting, organizing and filing teaching materials
 Preparation of assessment materials
 Assisting the MAT mentor teacher with organization of writing portfolio materials and
conferencing with students, after Procedure for Ethical training is complete.
 Supervision of field trips and class parties or programs
 Supervision of hallways, library activities, bus duty, and early/late duty
 Attending PTA/PTO meetings, parent-teacher conferences, faculty meetings, department
meetings, School Based Decision Making and school board meetings
 Preparing bulletin board displays
 Attending and assisting with club or other extra curricular meetings
 Checking out library materials for classroom use
 Professional development workshops.
EVIDENCE BINDER:
The development of the MAT Evidence Binder will be on-going throughout the two semester courses,
EDUC 650 & EDUC 651. It will also include work from the modules done in EDUC 652 and EDUC 653.
The Evidence Binder will be organized by New Teacher Standards. It should provide a collection of work
and evidence demonstrating the candidate’s understanding and progress toward mastery achieved in each
standard. *See the Mentor Inventory Flipchart” for information.
TESTING REQUIREMENTS:
All testing requirements are the responsibility of the MAT Candidate.
Passing scores on the Praxis II Content Test are required:
 As an official gate to the MAT graduate program
 In order to continue to take more than 12 hours of graduate coursework
Passing scores on the Praxis II Content Test AND the PLT Test are required:
 In order to participate in KTIP
 In order to obtain the third year TCTP Certification
 In order to complete the MAT Master’s Degree
EDUC 652 and EDUC 653
The addition of these two courses into the MAT course requirements will complement and strengthen all
that you do in the classroom and in the On-Site Saturday Classes. There are (6) SIX modules which the
candidate will complete during the Fall and Spring practicum semesters. The modules are mandatory and
are an addition to the work and responsibilities of the classroom placement experience. It is the
responsibility of the candidate to get the assignments and supporting readings from the Blackboard site,
participate in the on-site Saturday instruction that will accompany the modules, and turn them into your
university instructor on or before the date due. It will be graded and feedback will be given to you to help
you grow as a teacher.
The total practicum in EDUC 650,652,651, and 653 work in concert to provide the strongest
background for our new teachers. The full year simultaneous completion is critical. However,
unfortunately, it is possible for a student to pass one portion without passing the other. That will result in
paying for and retaking the portion/s failed.
At the end of the first practicum semester of EDUC 650 and EDUC 652, assessments will be made of
the candidate’s work, performance, and disposition. At that time it will be determined if the candidate is
able to continue into the next semester’s work in EDUC 651 and EDUC 653. The decision NOT to
continue will be made by the candidate’s university instructor and the program coordinators .
Modified 10/11