Skip to Main Content

Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in Elementary Education Field Experienced and Demonstration Teaching Handbook:
Part 1. Key Information for Field Experiences and Demonstration Teaching

Candidates should review this section to gain a preliminary understanding of who is involved in these experiences and the overall expectations during both classroom-based field experiences and DT.

Key Players

The following paragraphs introduce the key players in field experience and DT. For more detailed information about their DT responsibilities, see “Roles and Responsibilities” in Part 4 of this handbook.

Teacher Candidate or Candidate. Teacher candidates are those individuals who are enrolled in the MAT EE program at Walden University. They are required to complete VFE®, classroom-based field experiences, and DT, which is the culminating field experience requirement. During DT, candidates experience the full role and meaning of teaching in real-world K–6th grade settings. During DT and in collaboration with cooperating teachers, candidates share the instructional responsibilities of a classroom. They work with colleagues, parents, and administrators in becoming competent and capable teachers. Candidates learn and practice the skillful art of teaching under the guidance of a cooperating teacher and with supervision from a university supervisor.

Host Teacher. Host teachers are full-time, licensed elementary teachers with at least two years of experience who are responsible for supervising the candidates assigned to them during classroom-based field experiences. They provide opportunities for candidates to observe the classroom, complete early teaching experiences, and fulfill their course-based application assignments. Host teachers complete an evaluation of candidates’ knowledge, skills, and professional dispositions. They also verify the number of hours candidates spend in the field. Candidates are responsible for submitting an evaluation and time sheet for verification in their ePortfolio.

Cooperating Teacher. Cooperating teachers are full-time, licensed elementary teachers with at least three years of experience who are responsible for the direct, day-to-day supervision of candidates assigned to them during DT. They provide appropriate professional experiences for the candidates and help gather objective data on their teaching effectiveness. Cooperating teachers share their expertise in teaching as they guide the DT experience. Along with the university supervisor, they facilitate professional clinical experiences for candidates, and provide actionable feedback to the candidates assigned to them. Cooperating teachers complete a Demonstration Teaching Evaluation and an evaluation regarding candidates’ professional dispositions. They also verify, at the conclusion of the DT experience, the number of weeks candidates spent in the field. 

University Supervisor. University supervisors are part-time faculty members in Walden University’s Riley College who are assigned to candidates during DT. University supervisors spend much of their time working with candidates and their cooperating teachers. They share, with cooperating teachers, the responsibility for the professional growth of candidates. Much of a university supervisor’s time is devoted to working collaboratively with school personnel in designing and implementing the most appropriate and effective experiences for each candidate.

Academic Coordinator. The academic coordinator is a faculty member in the Riley College at Walden University. The academic coordinator is responsible for overseeing the program, the course content, and tracking candidates’ progress through the program. The academic coordinator supervises the university supervisors and course faculty. The academic coordinator also collaborates with candidates, instructors, the Office of Field Experiences (OFE), associate dean, and the dean to resolve problems and concerns.

Associate Dean. The associate dean is a faculty member in the college. The associate dean is ultimately responsible for tracking candidates’ progress toward identified transition points and their eligibility for institutional recommendation for licensure. The associate dean also collaborates with candidates, instructors, university supervisors, the OFE, and the dean to resolve problems and concerns.

Office of Field Experiences. The OFE is composed of members of the college staff. The OFE is responsible for ensuring that candidates’ field experience placement sites are in compliance with the program requirements. The OFE collaborates with host and cooperating schools to secure field experience and DT placement sites for the candidates. The OFE monitors and tracks all field experience data. The OFE also collaborates with candidates, instructors, university supervisors, the associate dean, and the dean to resolve field experience problems and concerns. 
 

Code of Ethics

All Walden University candidates are expected to abide by the following Code of Ethics for Minnesota Teachers (Rule 8710.2100, Subpart 2) while at their placement sites. The standards of professional conduct include the following:

  1. A teacher shall provide professional education services in a nondiscriminatory manner. 
  2. A teacher shall make reasonable efforts to protect the student from conditions harmful to health and safety. 
  3. In accordance with state and federal laws, a teacher shall disclose confidential information about individuals only when a compelling professional purpose is served or when required by law. 
  4. A teacher shall take reasonable disciplinary action in exercising the authority to provide an atmosphere conducive to learning. 
  5. A teacher shall not use professional relationships with students, parents, and colleagues to private advantage. 
  6. A teacher shall delegate authority for teaching responsibilities only to licensed personnel. 
  7. A teacher shall not deliberately suppress or distort subject matter. 
  8. A teacher shall not knowingly falsify or misrepresent records or facts relating to that teacher’s own qualifications or to other teachers’ qualifications. 
  9. A teacher shall not knowingly make false or malicious statements about students or colleagues. 
  10. A teacher shall accept a contract for a teaching position that requires licensing only if properly or provisionally licensed for that position. 

Professional Dispositions

Professional dispositions are very important elements in determining a person’s fitness to teach. Both the cooperating teacher and university supervisor will evaluate a candidate’s professional dispositions toward children and teaching. The assessment of professional dispositions is further explained in the Candidate Guidebook. 

A candidate’s professional skills, such as the ability to be on time, have a positive attitude, collaborate and communicate effectively with all school staff, and support children and their families, are monitored and evaluated throughout their field experiences. Anyone who interacts with the candidate at any point may file a Professional Disposition Concern Form should the candidate’s conduct be egregious enough to warrant it. The university supervisor and/or cooperating teacher will contact the academic coordinator if they have concerns about the candidate’s professional dispositions that cannot be resolved. 

Walden University has identified the following professional dispositions:

Professional Conduct

Ethical and Legal Conduct: The candidate demonstrates professionalism as outlined by legal and ethical guidelines within the profession.

  1. Demonstrates professional behavior as described in Walden’s Code of Conduct.
  2. Demonstrates ethical behavior as described by professional codes of ethics.

Professional Obligations: The candidate meets professional obligations in a responsible manner.

  1. Maintains a strong record of attendance and punctuality, communicating in advance the need for any absences.
  2. Prepares for professional obligations and meets expected deadlines.

Professional Appearance and Demeanor: The candidate demonstrates professional appearance and behaviors in the educational setting.

  1. Maintains an appropriate and professional appearance in accordance with the school policy.
  2. Approaches teaching and learning tasks with initiative, confidence, and energy.
  3. Exhibits composure and self-control.
  4. Demonstrates flexibility in adapting to changing circumstances and student needs.
Professional Qualities

Professional Development/Growth: The candidate engages in ongoing professional development and growth to improve professional practice.

  1. Engages in continuous learning through participation in professional development opportunities and other activities to enhance their professional practices, use of technology, and culturally responsive practices.
  2. Applies new ideas to professional practice based on data, reflection, and intellectual curiosity.
  3. Engages in ongoing critical reflection of personal performance to improve professional practice and affect positive social change.
  4. Responds positively to feedback and constructive criticism to strive for continuous improvement.

Advocacy: The candidate advocates for fairness, equity, and social change in the learning environment.

  1. Displays empathy, persistence, problem-solving skills, and engages in mutual inquiry and learning.
  2. Advocates for the social, emotional, physical, educational, behavioral, and basic needs of others.
  3. Promotes positive social change to enhance inclusive educational opportunities and promote student learning.

Equity: The candidate demonstrates culturally responsive practices to create an inclusive learning environment that is respectful of diverse cultures, values, and beliefs of others.

  1. Displays equitable treatment of others.
    1. Sets high expectations for all learners, reflective of their diverse strengths and needs.
    2. Treats others with respect and dignity by creating person-centered relationships where mutual understanding and learning occurs.
    3. Differentiates strategies to support strengths and needs of all learners. 
  2. Engages in culturally responsive practices in interactions with students, families, colleagues, and communities while understanding how their own biases and experiences may affect their teaching.
  3. Creates positive and inclusive learning environments that promote respect, equity, and cultural competence.
  4. Engages families and other stakeholders in planning for individual and group success.
Collaboration

Collaboration: The candidate works in collaboration with others to improve student learning and advance the profession.

  1. Builds partnerships and fosters person-centered relationships with stakeholders to improve student learning and advance the profession.
  2. Collaborates with students, families, colleagues, and the community to promote positive social change.
  3. Uses a variety of technological tools to enhance collaboration, strengthen partnerships, and foster relationships with others to improve teaching and learning.
Communication

Communication: The candidate uses effective verbal, nonverbal, and technological communication techniques to foster active inquiry, improve collaboration, and create positive interactions in the learning environment.

  1. Actively and thoughtfully listens to all stakeholders to promote understanding and to review academic progress.
  2. Adjusts communication to meet the needs of individual learners and changing circumstances.
  3. Engages in professional and respectful communication in a timely manner.
  4. Conveys ideas in multiple ways using a professional tone.
  5. Acknowledges and respects ideas and/or feelings of others; makes others feel welcome, valued, and appreciated in their communications.

Insurance and Other Documentation

Professional Liability Insurance

Many school districts require teachers to carry professional liability insurance. Walden University requires all candidates to purchase and show proof of professional liability insurance in the amount of $1,000,000 per occurrence. 

Candidates are responsible for completing the Professional Liability Insurance Verification Form, which includes documentation of the coverage, during EDUC 6400 – The Professional Educator, the first course of the program. Candidates will be required to renew their professional liability insurance, so it is in effect throughout all field experiences in the program. Examples of the documentation required include an insurance certificate, or documentation from a professional organization confirming student membership. The Professional Liability Insurance Verification Form is located in the ePortfolio.
 

Some professional organizations offer discounted professional liability coverage as a benefit to their student members. Following is a list of professional organizations that offer professional liability insurance to student members, as well as other membership benefits, that candidates may want to consider: 

Important note: Failure to complete the Professional Liability Insurance Verification Form and provide appropriate documentation will delay a candidate’s placement and will result in a hold being placed on the candidate’s record. The hold will prevent a candidate from registering for the subsequent quarter and will delay placement. Once the candidate submits the form and a placement is secured, the hold will be removed, and the candidate will be registered for the next quarter of courses.
Criminal, Sex Offender, and Other Background Checks
The Riley College at Walden University does not require candidates to submit a background and sex offender check; however, candidates must investigate for themselves if any of these checks are necessary in the state for which they are seeking licensure. 

Because each site may have different requirements for observers or volunteers regarding criminal, sex offender, and other background checks, it is important for candidates to discuss this issue with the site as soon as they are notified by the OFE of an impending placement. Candidates are responsible for complying with all security measures required by the schools in which they are placed for field experiences. All DT experiences take place in a public school (unless extenuating circumstances exist and a placement at a private school is approved). 

Walden urges all candidates to have background checks completed prior to entering a field placement.
Proof of Immunization and Tuberculosis Clearance
Some placement sites will require recent proof of tuberculosis (TB) clearance and immunization to specified diseases. Candidates should be prepared to provide any needed documentation.

Criminal, Sex Offender, and Other Background Checks

The Riley College at Walden University does not require candidates to submit a background and sex offender check; however, candidates must investigate for themselves if any of these checks are necessary in the state for which they are seeking licensure. 

Because each site may have different requirements for observers or volunteers regarding criminal, sex offender, and other background checks, it is important for candidates to discuss this issue with the site as soon as they are notified by the OFE of an impending placement. Candidates are responsible for complying with all security measures required by the schools in which they are placed for field experiences. All DT experiences take place in a public school (unless extenuating circumstances exist and a placement at a private school is approved). 

Walden urges all candidates to have background checks completed prior to entering a field placement.

Proof of Immunization and Tuberculosis Clearance

Some placement sites will require recent proof of tuberculosis (TB) clearance and immunization to specified diseases. Candidates should be prepared to provide any needed documentation.

Safety and Security

Candidates have the right to feel safe and secure during their field experience placements throughout their program. Before a candidate starts a field experience placement, it is critical to learn about the safety procedures in the school in which they are placed. Candidates should talk with their host teacher, cooperating teacher, and/or principal to learn about the local policies and procedures implemented at the school, including lockdown drills, fire drills, and other emergency guidelines. Often these safety materials are available online.

If candidates ever feel their safety is at risk at their field experience placement site, they should follow the safety procedures established by the school and leave the situation immediately after appropriate checkout. They should also contact Walden University at 1-800-925-3368. Both the candidates and the field experience sites have the right to cancel the field experience at any time if there is a concern about safety and security.