INTERNSHIP PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The professional Internship Program for interns bridges the gap between theory and practice. The Internship experience is regarded as the most significant laboratory experience in teacher preparation. It is regarded as a period of learning for the intern under the supervision of the classroom teacher, local school, and an Athens State University supervisor. Through this experience, the intern gains skills in organizing and managing a classroom as well as establishing desirable learning situations for individual students in small and large groups. The intern has the opportunity to practice interpreting and applying educational theory in terms of pupil growth and development and integrating subject matter with teaching experiences. These realistic experiences prepare interns to become professional educators. In addition, the education faculty is provided with the opportunity to evaluate its pre-service program in teacher education to insure continuous improvement. 

Purpose Statement

The purpose of the internship is to provide the intern the opportunity to put theory into practice. It is a culmination of knowledge gained in coursework and field experience in various classrooms. There are instructional and professional guidelines to which the intern must adhere in order to successfully exit internship.

Evaluation of teaching skills, student learning, classroom management, and collaboration assess proficiency in the instructional and professional standards set forth by Athens State University and the State Department of Education.  

Application Procedures

Each student is responsible for submitting an application to the College of Education. The final dates for submission of the application can be found on the website.

For candidates seeking certification in two or more distinct teaching fields, additional internship(s) will be required.

Requirements for eligibility to the Internship Program are listed in the catalog. Before applying, each student should review these requirements to check for complete compliance. These include:

• Admission to the Teacher Education Program
• Minimum hours of course work
• Minimum required grade point averages
• Completion of courses. (Only certain courses may be taken during or after the internship. Check well in advance with advisor for permission to take a course during or after the internship.) 
• Minimum hours of Field Experience 
• Passing Praxis II score

After the student applies for admission to the Internship Program, the application is screened by the Clinical Office. Notification will be sent to the student in cases of denial. The student may reapply for admission after deficiencies are met.

Placement and Assignment

• The College of Education and its school partners jointly determine the placements of interns to maximize the learn­ing experience for candidates and P-12 students
• A list of interns is forwarded to the superintendents of education in a number of area school systems for requested
• Classroom teachers are accom­
• Be a highly competent teacher whom is properly certified by the Alabama State Board of Education in the area of the intern(s) to be supervised. Have at least three years of successful teaching experience. 
• Understand the program of each intern supervised and the levels of achievement of each intern.  
• Be competent to provide superior professional supervision of student interns. 
• Be approved, in writing, by the appropriate school superintendent and dean or director of teacher education. 
• Hold at least a master’s degree and a Class A Certificate with an endorsement in the teaching field(s) of the intern. (Exception: approved by the local school superintendent and Athens State University Dean of the College of Education.)
• Be currently teaching classes in the intern's area of specialization.  

GENERAL POLICIES

Child Abuse

Interns should report suspected cases of child abuse directly to their cooperating teachers. It is the cooperating teacher’s responsibility to carry out the reporting procedures.

Corporal Punishment

Interns may not administer corporal punishment, nor may they serve as a “witness” when licensed school personnel administer corporal punishment.

Outside Commitments

Work or family/personal responsibilities cannot be excuses for failing to meet the commitments of the internship. If such interference occurs, the intern will be given the choice of withdrawing from internship or making the per­sonal adjustments necessary to give full attention to the commitment.

Professional Liability Insurance

Interns may be subject to lawsuits, as are licensed teachers. Interns are strongly urged to obtain some form of professional liability insurance as a protective measure.

Liability insurance is automatically provided to those students who are active members of the Student Alabama Education Association (SAEA).

Searching Students

Interns may not initiate or carry out an independent search of students or students’ lockers. Alabama law allows for such searches only under certain conditions and only under the direction of the school principal. Unless directly ordered by the school principal to do so, interns must not participate in search and seizure activities.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

Attendance at Seminars

There will be regularly scheduled meetings throughout the internship for the purpose of refining procedures and skills. Attendance at these meetings is mandatory.

Professionalism

These competencies will be evaluated by the classroom teacher and the University supervisor as they occur and will be documented in the Intern Observation Record.

Internship Portfolio

The intern submits supportive artifacts related to the internship that supports Educate Alabama standards. The intern’s advisor will determine whether or not satisfactory documentation has been provided.

Ongoing Observations

The classroom teacher and University supervisor conduct on-going observations during the internship based on the Alabama Quality Teaching Standards.

Initiative

The intern should demonstrate the ability to act and make decisions without the help or advice of others. Each intern will be expected to assist the classroom teacher as much as possible.

Length of Internship

Interns must complete 75 days of internship. This total encompasses ARI training, required ASU seminars, and days in the school. Daily attendance at the school is the same as that required of classroom teachers. 

Internship Standards

The Teacher Code of Alabama requires documentation of addressing AQTS standards in clinical experiences. The Alabama Quality Teaching Standards are divided into five sections: content knowledge; teaching and learning; literacy; diversity; and professionalism. Additionally, standards related to each program of study (e.i. Elementary, Math, Science, etc.) are assessed as well. Educate Alabama standards are the standards interns will see when they are assessed in school systems as classroom teachers.