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Ashley Navarro
Education Program Coordinator
407.708.2357
Office J-008, S/LM

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Field Experience

State law requires students taking EDF 2005 (Introduction to the Teaching Profession) or EDF 2085 (Introduction to Diversity for Educators) to complete 15 hours of field observation in a K-12 public school setting for each course. Tutoring, babysitting, day-care and preschool field experiences do not count toward this requirement, nor do prior teaching or volunteering experiences.

Observation hours for EDF 2005 must be divided as follows:

• Five hours in an elementary school setting
• Five hours in a middle school setting
• Five hours in a high school setting

Observation hours for EDF 2085 must be divided as follows:

• Five hours in an exceptional student education setting
• Five hours in an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) setting
• Five hours in an ethnic-specific setting

The goal of field-based experience is to give you early exposure to classroom procedures and environments. It is your responsibility to schedule time with various classroom teachers to observe their interactions with their students. Based on your observations, you must then complete a checklist provided by your professor and submit it as an assignment.

Note: Field observation hours must be completed in addition to any hours you complete for other education courses. You cannot count the same hours for two different classes.

You must complete your 15 hours while you are enrolled in EDF 2005 or EDF 2085 (or 30 hours if you're taking these classes simultaneously). Documentation of your field hours consists of a sign-in sheet that will be provided by your professor. You must follow the directions on the sheet precisely, or you will not receive credit for the hours.

If you do not present documentation of your field experience, you will receive a grade of "Incomplete" for the course. Incompletes become a grade of "F" if they are not corrected within six weeks of the start of the next term.

Setting Up Your Field Experience

Note: The following information applies to Seminole County Public Schools (SCPS) only. If you choose to conduct your observations in a county other than Seminole, it is your responsibility to gather the information needed for that county.

1. Register as an SCPS Dividend Volunteer.
2. Begin calling schools immediately to set up observation times. (You should contact several.) Do not wait for the schools to call you. Go to the SCPS website to get each school's phone number.
3. Do not wait until the end of the term to set up observation times. It is often very difficult to get in at the last minute, and, depending on what is happening at the schools (i.e. exams, special programs, etc.), you may not be granted permission.
4. If you have any problems scheduling an observation, you must inform your instructor in writing before the due date. Extensions will not be granted if you fail to notify the instructor before the observation due date.
5. You must have a letter on Seminole State College of Florida stationery to present to the schools confirming that you are enrolled in EDF 2085 and/or EDF 2005. (Your professor will provide this.)
6. Arrive on time; sign in when you get to campus; and wear professional attire. Remember: When schools take the time to arrange scheduled observation times, it is your responsibility to meet that schedule. If you don't, the schools may not extend another opportunity.
7. Behave appropriately while observing. Pay attention during your visit and take notes! Do not bring cell phones, iPods or any other electronic devices that might distract you or the students you are observing.