Field Experience Time Log
Candidates are required to enter their field experience hours on a Field Experience Time Log after each visit to their assigned placement site. The logs are located in the ePortfolio, and will be verified by the candidate’s assigned principal mentor during the last week of each of the six field experience courses.
Principal Mentor Evaluations
Candidates will complete field experience hours with the principal mentor at their approved site during each of their six field experience courses. During these field experience hours, principal mentors will conduct situational observations of their candidate. Examples of appropriate situations include, but are not limited to, leading a faculty meeting, a curriculum development grade-level meeting, or the school leadership council; facilitating a parent meeting; conducting a learning walk-through; and facilitating a budget meeting.
At the end of each field experience course, the principal mentor will complete an evaluation based on these situational observations and the candidate’s overall performance in the field setting. Candidates reflect on these experiences and the mentors’ feedback, and debrief with their principal mentors, field experience course faculty, and peers.
Principal Candidate Professional Dispositions
The Riley College of Education and Human Sciences is committed to recommending only those candidates who display the professional dispositions expected of a high-quality school leader, someone who can and will make a positive difference within the collaborative culture of an effective school. Therefore, assessment of a candidate’s professional dispositions is one element used to determine a candidate’s eligibility for institutional recommendation for Ohio licensure. The professional dispositions are part of the principal mentor evaluation.
Assessment of Professional Dispositions
Walden takes the responsibility of assessing candidates’ professional dispositions very seriously. Candidate professional dispositions are formally assessed by university faculty members and principal mentors throughout the program. The professional dispositions and the related policies and procedures are listed in the Principal Candidate Handbook.