Field Experiences
UTeach RGV students participate in a variety of field experiences. Five of the UTeach courses, beginning with UTCH 1101 (Step 1), have a field component. Field experiences are supervised by UTeach RGV Master Teachers. Students must meet local school district requirements in order to complete their field experiences. Successful completion of the field experiences is a requirement for each field-based course. Failure to complete all field experiences required in a course can result in receiving a failing grade for the course even if all other assignments have been completed.
UTeach RGV students are assigned to their field placements by the Master Teachers. Field placements are in local public school districts. Criminal background checks and TB testing are commonly required by the school districts but the actual requirements can differ from district to district. All school district requirements must be met in order for a student to continue in the UTeach courses. The criminal background check requires the student to submit a copy of a legal picture ID such as a driver’s license from the United States, a Texas Identification Card, or a passport. School districts will not accept birth certificates or UTRGV school identification cards. Dismissal from the UTeach program can happen if a student is unable to conduct their field experiences due to TB testing or criminal background checks.
The chart below lists the UTeach courses and their typical number of field experience hours:
|
UTeach Course |
Hours |
|---|---|
|
UTCH 1101 Inquiry Approaches to Teaching (Step 1) |
5 |
|
UTCH 1102 Inquiry Based Lesson Planning (Step 2) |
5 |
|
UTCH 3302 Classroom Interactions |
10 |
|
UTCH 3303 Project Based Instruction |
20+ |
|
UTCH 4601/UTCH 4101 Apprentice Teaching |
Minimum of 15 weeks, full-day student teaching |
At all times during the field experiences, UTeach students are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner. This includes professional dress, behavior and communication.
Dress Code for Students During Field Experiences
(Additional guidelines may be given as per school district policy. Case-by-case exceptions may be made due to religious or other extenuating circumstances.)
- Dresses and all outer garments shall fit properly and be of an acceptable length. Hemlines for skirts and dresses should be long enough not to be distracting.
- Tightly fitted clothing is not allowed.
- Male students must have all shirts tucked in. Belts must be worn with pants designed to be worn with one.
- If shirttails are made to be worn tucked in, they must be tucked in.
- The following are not acceptable: Halters, tank tops, see-through garments, clothing with revealing/provocative necklines, bare backs, bare midriff, spaghetti straps, tightly fitted clothing, clothing that reveals undergarments, denim jeans (all colors), shorts, leggings, warm-ups, spandex or similar tight pants, or exercise/athletic clothes.
- No hats, caps, or other head coverings shall be worn inside the building.
- Jewelry shall not be worn in a visible pierced area other than the ear. Male students are not allowed to wear earrings.
- Hair shall be clean, neatly trimmed and well groomed.
- Beards and mustaches will be allowed if they are neatly trimmed.
- Closed toe footwear is recommended. If wearing heels, low heels are recommended. Footwear shall exclude flip flops, slippers and athletic-type footwear.
Professional Communication and Behavior During Field Experiences
During all field experiences, UTeach students shall conduct themselves in a professional manner. Every UTeach student is expected to address all staff members as Mr., Mrs., or Ms. and speak to all staff members in a professional and courteous manner. All policies and procedures of the partner campus shall be followed.