Clinical Practice
About Clinical Practice for Teacher Candidates
Clinical Practice is an integral part of the College of Education & Human Sciences's teacher candidate preparation at Tech.
- The OTE plans quality experiences in school settings ranging from classroom observational experiences early in the program to pre-residency experiences where beginning instructional skills are practiced under the direction of a mentoring teacher.
- The culminating clinical experience is designed to use gained knowledge, add first-hand information, interact with on-site professionals, polish developed skills, and explore teaching styles.
- Clinical Contacts
Susan Collins
P: 931-372-6095
E: sncollins@tntech.eduSuzy Hook
P: 931-372-3148
E: chook@tntech.edu - Application Deadlines
Residency I: January 31st
Residency II: November 10th
Student Teaching / Fall: January 31st
Student Teaching / Spring: August 31st
- About Residency
Clinical Practice is the culmination of teacher preparation and involves either a clinically-rich Residency or Student Teaching experience.
The candidate will be in the Residency I placement for 7½ weeks. During this time, the candidate is learning classroom procedures, building rapport with students and the mentor teacher, and learning where things are in the building as well as safety procedures for the building. The candidate is also encouraged to gradually accept some teaching responsibilities once the mentor and candidate feel the candidate is prepared to teach and comfortable doing so. Candidates may also facilitate small group work, one-on-one instruction, and might also conduct clerical duties such as grading and filing papers, copying, etc.
The candidate will be in the Residency II placement for 15 weeks. During this time the candidate should be more involved in the day-to-day operation of the classroom. Candidates and mentors should be involved in co-teaching and responsibility for teaching should gradually move to the candidate. Along with the duties already listed, the candidate should also continue to conduct clerical duties and facilitate small group and one-on-one instruction as appropriate. Additionally, candidates in Residency II are required to complete their capstone project, the edTPA.
Student Teachers should expect a one-semester clinical practice. (Student teaching is only offered to post-baccalaureate students.)
Student teaching candidates will be in their placement for 15 weeks. During this time, the candidate should gradually become more and more involved in the day-to-day operation of the classroom. Candidates and mentors should collaborate and may use the co-teaching model to prepare the candidate for teaching responsibilities. During this time, the candidate may also facilitate small group and one-on-one instruction as appropriate. Along with duties already listed, the candidate should conduct clerical tasks such as grading, recording and filing papers, making copies, etc. Additionally, student teaching candidates are required to complete their capstone project, the edTPA.
- Residency I
Full Admission to the Teacher Education Program must be completed prior to applying for Residency I.
Benchmark Checklist:
Undergraduate Benchmarks for Residency
Music Education Majors (MUED) Undergraduate Benchmarks for Residency
Submit the following requirements by January 31st:
Intent to participate in Residency I
Submit the following requirements by July 15th (June 15th for music education [MUED] majors):
Submit passing scores for PRAXIS II Content Knowledge (You may not enter Residency I without a passing score. —You must have an official score report on file in OTE by the deadline.)
- When registering for ANY Praxis exam, please make sure to indicate Tennessee Tech (Code 1804) as the institution to receive your scores so that Tech receives official copies to be used for your license application to the state.
- Office of Teacher Education will ONLY process official copies of scores
- For personal use, OTE recommends that students download and retain several copies of ALL test scores while they are available online. (Scores are only available for 45 calendar days after scores are posted. In order to get a copy of your scores after the 45 days, you will have to request them from ETS and pay additional fees)
- The Office of Teacher Education WILL NOT release Praxis score information by phone to anyone.
For more information on the Praxis II test, please visit: EDUCATIONAL TESTING SERVICE (ETS)
Submit CPR, AED, and First Aid Certification: Submit your certification to the Office of Teacher Education
- In person at TJ Farr, Room 103
- Email: cderossette@tntech.edu
- Fax: 931-372-6286
The certifications must be valid throughout both Residency I and Residency II.
Submit evidence of professional liability insurance: You may use professional organizations such as NEA, PET, Christian Educators, MTNA, etc.
- Submit your certification to the Office of Teacher Education
- In person at TJ Farr, Room 103
- Email: cderossette@tntech.edu
- Fax: 931-372-6286
The insurance coverage must be valid throughout both Residency I and Residency II.
Submit an additional Background Check: This is required for all candidates along with the Applicant Privacy Rights and VECHS Waiver Agreement form.
Complete the required Tennessee Tech Background Check process through IdentoGO by MorphoTrust USA. This requirement must be completed through the Office of Teacher Education (no exceptions).
For more steps to completing the background check, please visit:
Alternate fingerprinting instructions are available if your nearest fingerprinting location is closed. Click HERE to access the alternate fingerprinting instructions.
Submit the following requirements by the end of the semester prior to Residency I:
- Maintain established Inclusive GPA of 2.75 (excluding developmental classes)
- Satisfactory completion of ALL CLEP tests, ALL courses listed for Freshman, Sophomore, and Junior year on Program of Study, and a minimum grade of "B" or higher must be earned in all courses that are designated field-experience or technology related, or include a major field experience.
- Submit Application for Undergraduate Graduation (Follow directions in this link)
- Complete the College Base Exam/Senior Exit Exam (Not required for 2+2 students; however, exemption request must be submitted and approved)
- Residency II
Benchmark Checklist:
- UNDERGRADUATE BENCHMARKS FOR RESIDENCY(ALL MAJORS EXCEPT MUSIC)
- Music Education Majors (MUED) Undergraduate Benchmarks for Residency
Submit the following requirements by November 10th:
Intent to participate in Residency II
Submit the following requirement by December 10th:
Provide evidence of passing ALL Praxis II exams (official score report for ALL tests must be in the office of Teacher Education by the deadline)
- When registering for ANY Praxis exam, please make sure to indicate Tennessee Tech (Code 1804) as the institution to receive your scores so that Tech receives official copies to be used for your license application to the state.
- Office of Teacher Education will ONLY process official copies of scores
- For personal use, OTE recommends that students download and retain several copies of ALL test scores while they are available online. (Scores are only available for 45 calendar days after scores are posted. In order to get a copy of your scores after the 45 days, you will have to request them from ETS and pay additional fees)
- The Office of Teacher Education WILL NOT release Praxis score information by phone to anyone.
For more information on the Praxis II test, please visit: EDUCATIONAL TESTING SERVICE (ETS)
Complete the following requirements by the end of the semester prior to Residency II:
- A minimum grade of "B" or higher must be earned in Residency I in order to begin Res. II
- Maintain established GPA of 2.75 (excluding developmental classes)
- Satisfactory completion of ALL coursework
The requirements listed below must be met at the end of the senior year for Program Completion / Licensure:
- Successful completion of approved program of study
- A minimum grade of "B" or higher must be earned in Residency II in order to graduate and receive a teaching license.
- Passing scores for the Teaching Performance Assessment (edTPA)
- Create a TNCompass account
- Student Teaching
Student teaching is offered to post-baccalaureate students. The experience involves a one-semester intensive clinical experience in the school setting.
Note: A post-baccalaureate student is one who has earned an undergraduate degree and has been admitted into the Teacher Education Program to be enrolled in courses.
Benchmark Checklist:
Graduate Benchmarks for Student Teaching
Submit the following requirements by January 31st for Fall Student Teaching and August 31st for Spring Student Teaching:
Intent to participate in Student Teaching
Submit the following requirements by June 15th for Fall Student Teaching and November 10th for Spring Student Teaching:
Submit passing scores for PRAXIS II Content Knowledge (You may not enter Residency I without a passing score. —You must have an official score report on file in OTE by the deadline.)
- When registering for ANY Praxis exam, please make sure to indicate Tennessee Tech (Code 1804) as the institution to receive your scores so that Tech receives official copies to be used for your license application to the state.
- Office of Teacher Education will ONLY process official copies of scores
For personal use, OTE recommends that students download and retain several copies of ALL test scores while they are available online. (Scores are only available for 45 calendar days after scores are posted. In order to get a copy of your scores after the 45 days, you will have to request them from ETS and pay additional fees) - The Office of Teacher Education WILL NOT release Praxis score information by phone to anyone.
For more information on the Praxis II test, please visit: EDUCATIONAL TESTING SERVICE (ETS)
Submit CPR, AED, and First Aid Certification: Submit your certification to the Office of Teacher Education
- In person at TJ Farr, Room 103
- Email: cderossette@tntech.edu
- Fax: 931-372-6286
The certifications must be valid throughout Student Teaching.
Submit evidence of professional liability insurance: You may use professional organizations such as NEA, PET, Christian Educators, MTNA, etc. Submit your certification to the Office of Teacher Education.
- In person at TJ Farr, Room 103
- Email: cderossette@tntech.edu
- Fax: 931-372-6286
The insurance coverage must be valid throughout Student Teaching.
Submit an additional Background Check: This is required for all candidates along with the Applicant Privacy Rights and VECHS Waiver Agreement form.
- Complete the required Tennessee Tech Background Check process through IdentoGO by
MorphoTrust USA. This requirement must be completed through the Office of Teacher
Education.
For more steps to completing the background check, please visit:
COVID-19 UPDATE: Alternate fingerprinting instructions are available if your nearest fingerprinting location is closed. Click HERE for alternate fingerprinting instructions.
Submit the following requirements by the end of the semester prior to Student Teaching:
- Maintain established Inclusive GPA of 2.75 (excluding developmental classes)
- Satisfactory completion of ALL CLEP tests, ALL courses listed for Freshman, Sophomore, and Junior year on Program of Study, and a minimum grade of "B" or higher must be earned in all courses that are designated field-experience or technology related, or include a major field experience.
Completion of Program/Licensure:
• Successful completion of approved program of study
• A minimum grade of "B" or higher must be earned in Student Teaching in order to graduate and receive a teaching license.
• Passing scores for the Teaching Performance Assessment (edTPA)
• Create a TNCompass account
