The Professional Field Experience Program is designed to develop teaching skills in the context of a public Pre-K-12 school. It allows students to participate in a variety of teaching situations in different schools, with a focus on inner-city, low-income, and high-minority settings. The goal of preclinical field experiences is to allow teacher candidates to gain an understanding of the needs of diverse learners. Field experiences allow for school partnerships that facilitate the development of preservice teachers, support the teaching process on each campus, and improve student achievement in public schools.
Students who are enrolled in preclinical courses with a required field-based experience will receive information about their field placement from the Assistant Director for Preclinical Field Experiences, Dr. Melissa Mifflin. Preclinical students are not expected to arrange their own field placements, but will be required to complete the necessary background checks and district-specific applications at the beginning of every semester. For more on background checks, the field policy, and other relevant field experience information, please click on each section below.
- Office of Professional Preparation and Partnerships
- Main Building 3.310,
- Main Campus
- One UTSA Circle
- San Antonio, TX 78249
Contact
Dr. Melissa Mifflin
Assistant Director of Preclinical Field Experiences
Professional Preparation and Partnerships
Background Checks
COEHD courses that involve field experience require that a criminal history check be conducted before students are allowed to participate in or obtain class credit for field-based assignments.
If you have ever been arrested, it is very likely that the arrest(s) will appear when your background check is run. Unless you have had an arrest expunged from your record, it is still visible even if you were a minor at the time of arrest, the charges were dropped or you were never convicted. Therefore, it is very important that if you have ever been arrested that you review the links below for more information about:
- How arrests can impact your ability to become a certified teacher
- Background Check Addendum
- TAC rule for criminal background
- Criminal History Pre-Screening Link
Make sure you check your preferred email constantly. Important information will be sent via email with regards to your background forms and field placements. It is your responsibility to continuously monitor your preferred email!
Contact
Dr. Melissa Mifflin, Assistant Director of Preclinical Field Experiences
Office of Professional Preparation & Partnerships
Office: Main Building 3.310
Phone: (210) 458-5846
melissa.mifflin@utsa.edu
Courses Requiring Field Experience
The courses listed below are the courses within the identified certification program requiring field experience. View a complete list of courses for your certification program.
| Subject and Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| BBL 3053 | Foundations of Bilingual Studies |
| BBL 3403 | Cultural & Linguistic Diversity in a Pluralistic Society |
| BBL 3823 | Reading Comprehension Bilingual Setting |
| BBL 4033 | Assessment, Learning, & Motivation in BBL |
| BBL 4063 | Bilingual Approaches to Content Based Learning |
| BBL 4073 | Language Arts in BBL |
| BBL 4353 | Approaches to Teaching Science EC-6 |
| BBL 4403 | Approaches to Teaching Math EC-6 |
| C&I 4213 | Approaches to Teaching Music |
| C&I 4223 | Models of Teaching Math |
| C&I 4233 | Models of Teaching Social Studies |
| C&I 4243 | Models of Teaching Science |
| C&I 4253 | Models of Teaching ELA/FL |
| C&I 4263 | Models of Teaching Music |
| C&I 4303 | Approaches to LA/SS EC-6 |
| C&I 4353 | Approaches to Teaching Science EC-6 |
| C&I 4403 | Approaches to Teaching Math EC-6 |
| C&I 4433 | Approaches to Teaching Science 4-8 |
| C&I 4443 | Approaches to Teaching Math 4-8 |
| C&I 4543 | Approaches to Teaching Social Studies 4-8 |
| C&I 4553 | Approaches to Service-Learning in Social Studies 4-8 |
| C&I 4603 | Approaches and Classroom Mgmt Strategies 4-8 |
| C&I 4623 | Applied Teaching |
| ECE 3313 | Play, Creativity, and Learning |
| ECE 3603 | Language and Literacy Acquisition |
| ECE 4203 | Assessment & Evaluation |
| ESL 3023 | Second Language Teaching and Learning in EC-6 |
| ESL 4003 | Approaches to Secondary Language Teaching |
| ESL 3073 | Second Language Teaching and Learning for Grades 4-8 |
| ESL 3083 | Second Language Teaching and Learning for Grades 7-12 |
| IDS 2013 | Intro to Learning and Teaching in a Diverse Society |
| KIN 4203 | Teaching Secondary PE |
| KIN 4303 | Teaching Elementary PE |
| LTED 3523 | Reading for Teachers 4-8 |
| LTED 3533 | Reading and Writing Across Disciplines 4-8 |
| LTED 3673 | Reading for Secondary Teachers 7-12 |
| LTED 3773 | Reading & Writing Across Disciplines-Secondary |
| LTED 3823 | Reading Comprehension EC-6 |
| LTED 4833 | Organizing Reading Programs for Differentiated Inst. |
| SPE 3653 | Practicum in Special Ed (Introduction) |
| SPE 4653 | Practicum in Special Ed (Advanced) |
Field Experience Policy
It is required that teacher candidates in courses with fieldwork will complete their fieldwork assignments in a timely and professional manner. The following policy applies to those teacher candidates taking courses with fieldwork assignments.
The purpose of the field placement/field experience is to provide an opportunity for teacher candidates to grow professionally and to apply their knowledge of pedagogy, content area instruction, instructional strategies and professionalism in diverse school settings. The teacher candidate is expected to demonstrate proficiency in all of these areas as evidenced by assessment instrument(s) used in the evaluation of the teacher candidate in the assigned placement.
All teacher candidates enrolled in a course that includes a field placement will be responsible for meeting the same course requirements for fieldwork regardless of their employment status. Teacher candidates who work in an area school district or another educational environment will be required to complete their coursework outside of their place of employment.
The completion of the minimum number of hours of fieldwork as required by the individual courses is required for a passing grade. Teacher candidates who do not meet the minimum requirement of field hours as required by the course will automatically receive an "F" for that course. Missed field placement hours cannot be made up without special permission from the instructor, Director for Preclinical Field Experiences, and the cooperating teacher. Teacher candidates must remain in the assigned placement throughout the semester or as required by the instructor. This means that teacher candidates must complete their required hours weekly for the duration of the semester or for the duration of the placement. Teacher candidates may not alter their assigned schedule or placement in any way.
Teacher candidates may not choose their own field placements. Field placements are assigned by the Director for Preclinical Field Experiences or by the Field Placement Coordinators. Teacher candidates begin fieldwork when they receive the approval from Director for Preclinical Field Experiences.
Absences
- Regular, prompt attendance is expected.
- In the event of an absence, email your field placement coordinator, your mentor teacher, campus coordinator, and professor prior to the absence.
- If absent, you must obtain approval for a make-up plan for your professor.
- Your placement will be canceled if you accumulate more than two absences.
Failure to complete hours by deadlines/more than two absences
The placement will be canceled. The placement may be reinstated if the absences were due to special circumstances, such as an extended illness. Permission from the mentor teacher, campus administrator, professor, and Director for Preclinical Field Experiences will be required for reinstatement. Teacher candidates who do not complete the required field experience hours will receive an "F" for the course. No partial credit will be given for completing less than the required hours.
Teacher candidates with Two or More Absences
Teacher candidates with two or more absences will have their field placement put on hold pending a conference to discuss their field placement status. Failure to meet with their field placement coordinator or the Director for Preclinical Field Experiences may result in the loss of their field placement.
Field Experience Dress Code Policy
Dress and grooming of any UTSA student doing any type of observation in a local school campus shall be clean, neat, and in a manner appropriate for their assignments.
Students are guests at a school and should dress in accordance with being a representative of the University of Texas at San Antonio. As university students, the dress code will exceed that of the students at the school where you are placed and can be described as "dress business casual."
Remember: Every day in your field placement is a job interview!
Appropriate dress for men:
- Slacks, dress pants and/or khakis. No sagging or baggy pants. No jeans/denim or shorts.
- Polo shirts, button down and dress shirts. No T-shirts.
- Shoes: loafers or dress shoes. No sandals or flip-flops.
Appropriate dress for women:
- Slacks, dress pants, and/or khakis. No jeans/denim or shorts.
- Dresses and skirts must fall at or just above the knee.
- Polo shirts, button-down and dress shirts. No T-shirts, exposed midriffs, strapless, low cut tops, tank tops, halter tops or see-through clothing.
- Shoes: loafers, dress shoes, heels, or dressy sandals. No flip flops.
Further Detailed Dress Code Items:
- Clothing with inappropriate advertising or statements that are offensive or inflammatory (alcoholic beverage, sex, tobacco, drugs, gang, satanic, promoting violence, etc.) are prohibited.
- Pants shall be worn securely at the waist. Excessively worn and/or frayed jeans or other pants are prohibited.
- Body piercing ornaments and other simulated ornaments will be worn on the lower ear lobe only.
- Displaying tattoos and similar body painting(s) that promote violence, reflect gang activity, and that are considered to be offensive and inflammatory are prohibited.
- Hats, caps, or other head apparel are prohibited.
- Hair must be neat and clean. Unconventional colored, multi-colored, spiked or Mohawk hairstyles are not permitted.
- Body piercing jewelry is prohibited except for rings, studs or other traditional jewelry worn in the ear. Tongue rings and tongue studs are not permitted.
As future educators, you should dress for success every day. Field experience students should always consult with the principal or their mentor teacher regarding the established dress code for their particular assigned school. Dress codes vary by district and it is the responsibility of the student to ensure their dress falls within the guidelines established by their assigned school.
School Partnerships
UTSA has a successful field-based teacher preparation program for undergraduates seeking teacher certification. The success of our program rests largely on mutual collaborations established among the university and the surrounding school districts. UTSA is currently partnering with the local school districts and other organizations.
School Districts
- Alamo Heights ISD
- East Central ISD
- Edgewood ISD
- Harlandale ISD
- Judson ISD
- North East ISD
- Northside ISD
- Randolph Field ISD
- San Antonio ISD
- South San ISD
- Southwest ISD
Notes of importance:
- Local public school districts are utilized for field placements.
- Charter schools, daycare centers, private schools, and such are not utilized for any fieldwork.
- Students do not choose the district and/or school for their fieldwork.
- All placements are coordinated by Dr. Melissa Mifflin, Assistant Director of Preclinical Field Experiences. Email: melissa.mifflin@utsa.edu.
