IV B. - SELECTING TEACHING AS A CAREER

 

ENTERING A NEW WORLD

At the University of Northern Iowa, teacher preparation involves successful completion of a comprehensive program of studies. This program includes, first of all, a general education requirement which is comprised of a variety of courses drawn from among the arts, humanities, philosophy, mathematics and language, and from among the biological, physical, and social sciences. Second, you are required to pursue intensive study of the subject content area(s) in which you intend to teach. Third, you must complete the professional education program which includes a sequence of courses and experiences in professional studies and teaching methodology that prepare you for effective teaching of specific subject mater content in the curriculum. Finally, throughout your career preparation you will observe and participate in an extensive number of teaching and learning experiences in different classroom settings.

As you move through your program of studies, make a special effort to connect, select, and reflect. Seek, discover, and analyze the connections among general education, your subject content major, and professional studies. Involve yourself in the continuous selection of content, strategies, and models which may be transformed or adapted to meet the needs of the children and youth whom you will teach. Finally, develop the habit of reflecting upon all that you study, observe, and do from the viewpoint of effective teaching practice and the development of your own competence as a professional educator and as a student of teaching.

 

PURSUING A TEACHING MAJOR AT UNI: PROCEDURES

As a student who has decided to pursue a teaching major, you will need to be aware of the procedures to follow in order to complete your program successfully. This section outlines procedures from the time that you apply for admission to UNI to your graduation as a licensed teacher.

Procedures Prior to Application for Admission to Teacher Education

1. If you enter UNI as a freshman, indicate an interest in teaching on your application for admission forms.
2. During the second semester of your freshman year, select a program of studies:
   • Early Childhood or Elementary. Follow the program of studies prescribed by the Department of Curriculum and Instruction.
   • Early Childhood Special Education of Mental Disabilities: Moderate / Severe / Profound. Follow the program of studies prescribed by the Department of Special Education.
   • Secondary. Follow the program of studies leading to a Bachelor of Arts Degree - Teaching in your chosen subject content area. Departmental advisors will explain the requirements.
3. During the second semester of your freshman year you also should complete a Declaration of Curricular Intent (i.e., Declare a major). You must complete this declaration before the completion of Level II of the professional education program.

The purpose of this declaration is to state your major and minor fields of study. During each spring semester you will be invited to "Declaration of Major" meetings in departments for the purpose of officially declaring your major and examining departmental requirements. At that time, the department will assign you to a major advisor.

You also will complete a Declaration of Curriculum Intent Form which will be signed by your advisor and forwarded to the Office of the Registrar. Some departments have special requirements for admission to their teaching majors; all questions related to such requirements should be directed to your major department.

(Note: If you are transferring to UNI from a community/junior college or another four year college or university, you will be given the opportunity to complete the Declaration of Intent upon admittance to your first semester as a student.)

 

PROCEDURES / REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION TO THE TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAM

Formal admission to the Teacher Education Program is initiated when you enroll in Level I of the Professional Education Program: The Dynamics of Human Development (200:030) and Field Experience: Exploring Teaching (200:017). To be fully admitted to the teacher education program you must complete the following requirements:

1. Completion of at least 24 semester hours of credit with a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.50.
2. Completion of the Application for Admission to Teacher Education form. Unless the application is on file, you will be unable to enroll in Level II. If you are a native UNI student, you will receive an application form during your 200:017 orientation session. You may also pick up forms in the Office of the Director of Teacher Education.
   New transfer students will not be allowed to register in required professional education programs of 100 courses in their majors, including methods, until it is established by the Office of the Registrar that he or she has achieved the required 2.50 cumulative GPA. If you are a transfer student, the application will be forwarded to you as a part of your transfer evaluation materials. They must be completed and filed with the Director of Teacher Education before you can register for classes at UNI. The forms can be mailed to: Director of Teacher Education, 159A Education Center, Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0602.
   Fully admitted students who drop below the 2.50 cumulative GPA are given one semester to raise the grade point average. If the GPA is not raised by the end of that grace period, the student will lost the E5 (admitted) teacher education code and will be unable to continue in the program until the required GPA is established. At that time he or she will need to reapply for admission to the teacher education program.
3. Completion of PPST, the Pre-Professional Skills Test
   If you receive a score of 173 or below in the section, a score of 173 or below in the mathematics section, or a score of 172 or below in the writing section of this test, an appropriate Teacher Education Review Committee will evaluate your scores and other factors such as grades and scores on other tests to determine whether you will continue in the program with recommended or required remediation or be refused admission into the program until deficiencies are removed.
   You should take these tests early in your program, even prior to your enrollment in Level I of the Professional Education program. However, you may find it necessary to postpone taking the PPST because of scheduling difficulties. Full admission requirements, including PPST remediation, must be met before the completion of Level II of the professional sequence. This deadline applies to native UNI and to transfer students. Failure to meet the deadline means that you will not be able to register for professional education courses nor will you be able to apply for student teaching.
   If your scores on one or more sections of the test are below the stated minimums, an appropriate Teacher Education Review Committee may require you to take steps to remove observed deficiencies and/or to retake one or more sections of the test.
   You must furnish proof of removal of any deficiencies before you may apply for student teaching. These tests are administered on the UNI campus each semester. Test information manuals and test dates are available from the UNI Examination Office (125 Student Services Center), the College of Advising Center (189 Schindler Education Center), and the Office of the Director of Teacher Education (159A Schindler Education Center).
   If you feel that you need special preparation to take the PPST, you have opportunities to do so. The Academic Advising Center offers a test preparation workshop each semester prior to the announced testing dates. In addition, you may purchase the PPST Guide and/or Essay Guide from Campus Shoppe Unlimited or University Book and Supply. These guides contain procedures for test preparation, as well as sample tests.
4. Completion of the speech and hearing evaluation.
   Opportunities to meet this requirement are provided on announced dates each semester. Information concerning dates/procedures is available in the Office of the Director of Teacher Education. Native UNI students must complete this evaluation during the Level I semester. Transfer students must complete this evaluation before finishing Level II.
5. Satisfactory completion of introduction to College Writing (62:005) or a college level writing class.
   You must also receive a score of 173 or higher on the writing section of the PPST and recommendation by an appropriate Teacher Education Review Committee. If you do not meet these requirements, you will be requested to remove the deficiency by the successful fulfillment of a contractual obligation to remove the deficiencies. Failure to do so will result in dismissal from the Teacher Education Program.
   
   NOTE:If you meet the 24 semester hour and 2.50 cumulative grade point average requirements, but, due to exceptional circumstances, are unable to complete any of the other admission requirements, you may be provisionally admitted to the Teacher Education Program. However, all of these requirements, with the possible exception of PPST remediation contracts, must be met before you have completed the Level II semester. You will not be fully admitted until you have met all of the admission requirements.
   You must receive written clearance from the Office of the Director of Teacher Education before you may register for Level II courses (200:148; 200:128; 250:050)

 

POST-ADMISSIONS PROCEDURES

1. Once you are admitted to the Teacher Education Program, enroll in Level II courses: Learning & Instruction in Classroom Contexts (200:148); Field Experience: Teacher as a Change Agent (200:128); and Classroom Evaluation Instruments (250:050).
2. (Elementary / Early Childhood) Apply for your Professional Semester. One year in advance of the time you plan to take you Professional Semester course (usually while in Level II), complete an Application for Professional Semester Card in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction office, Room 618, Schindler Education Center.
   NOTE: The Department of Curriculum and Instruction has established departmental enrollment restrictions. Be sure that you are aware of any additional requirements.
3. (Elementary / Early Childhood) Enroll in the Professional Semester.
4. (Secondary Teaching Majors) Enroll in subject area methods course(s).
5. Cumulative GPA and UNI GPA will be monitored after formal admission to the Teacher Education Program. Failure to meet the cumulative GPA during a given semester may result in your assignment to probationary status for one semester. Failure to raise the PA to the appropriate level will result in referral to an appropriate Teacher Education Review Committee for interview and subsequent action.

 

STUDENT TEACHER APPLICATION PROCEDURES

1. Your student teaching semester is assigned at the time of your declaration of major. If your student identification number ends with the numbers 00-59, you are assigned to the fall semester. If your number ends with the numbers 60-99, you are assigned to the spring semester. Under specific circumstances, you may appeal to change this assignment. Appeal forms are available in the Office of Student Field Experiences or in the College of Education Advising Center.
2. One year in advance of the time you plan to enroll in student teaching, you will be invited to attend a Student Teaching Roundup during which you will complete the necessary steps to apply to student teach and to receive a student teaching assignment.

To be eligible to student teach, you must have completed the following requirements:

1. FULL admission to the teacher education program
2. Cumulative GPA of 2.50 or higher on work at all colleges and universities
3. UNI GPA of 2.50 or higher
4. GPA in your academic department or department approval
5. 2.50 GPA in professional education and methods course, and not lower than 2.00 in methods course

NOTE: In order to be eligible for student teaching you will need to have earned a GPA of 2.50 or higher in courses completed in the Professional Education Program and to have completed all methods courses listed as prerequisites for student teaching with a grade of C (2.00) or higher.

 

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS AND PROCEDURES

You should make written application for graduation when you register for your last semester of course work. (Application forms are available in the Office of the Registrar.) Graduation requirements with a recommendation for licensure are listed below:

1. Full compliance with entrance requirements for admission to teacher education
2. Cumulative GPA of 2.50 or higher
3. UNI GPA of 2.50 or higher
4. GPA of 2.50 or higher in the courses required in the major and fulfillment of any departmental writing requirements
5. Satisfactory completion of student teaching at the endorsement level of licensure
6. Eligibility for graduation from the University

Apply for your teacher license and endorsement(s). (Forms will be sent to you as part of your graduation packet.) Because of new Iowa Department of Education requirements, you may wish to wait to apply for an Iowa teaching license until you have signed a teaching contract.

 

TEACHER LICENSURE

Every Iowa teacher must be licenses to teach. The license standards/requirements are set by a Board of Educational Examiners whose members are appointed by the Governor of the State of Iowa. The new (October 1, 1998) state standards and guidelines provide for the issuance of different licenses with endorsements in the various teaching areas. The endorsement specifies the subject area and the grade level at which the teaching service may be performed. When you complete an approved teacher education program at the University of Northern Iowa, you will be recommended for the license and endorsement(s) for which you are eligible.

LICENSE REQUIREMENTS

The basic requirements for the issuance of an initial teacher license include the completion of an approved teacher education program from an accredited college or university, completion of an approved human relations program, and completion of the requirements for a teaching endorsement. This is called a PROVISIONAL LICENSE and is valid for two years from the date of issuance. It may be renewed under prescribed conditions for one additional two-year term.

The ONE-YEAR CONDITIONAL CERTIFICATE is valid for one year and is not renewable. It is issued under the following conditions;

The applicant has not completed all required components in the professional education core; the applicant has not completed an approved human relations program; the applicant meets the requirements for a valid license but has less than 160 days of teaching during the last 5-year period; or the applicant’s degree will not be granted until the next regular commencement.

The SUBSTITUTE LICENSE is valid for five years and for ninety days of teaching during any school year. It may be renewed for successive five-year periods. In order to apply for a Substitute License, you must have successfully completed all requirements for an approved teacher education program and be eligible for the provisional certificate or you must hold or have held an Iowa or non-Iowa teacher’s license.

Once you have taught two years and have completed required evaluative and academic education requirements, you may apply for the EDUCATIONAL or the PROFESSIONAL TEACHER license. Information concerning licensure requirements/procedures may be obtained from the office of the Director of Teacher Education or the Iowa Bureau of Practitioner Preparation and Licensure.

 

DENIAL OF LICENSURE

Iowa law states that an applicant for teacher licensure shall be disqualified for any of the following reasons.

1. The applicant has been convicted of child abuse or sexual abuse of a child.
2. The applicant has been convicted of a felony.
3. The applicant’s application is fraudulent.
4. The applicant’s license or certification from another state is suspended or revoked.

If further clarification of this law is needed, please contact the Office of the Director of Teacher Education.

 

TEACHER LICENSURE IN OTHER STATES

Students graduating from approved teacher education programs at the University of Northern Iowa meet the full requirements for teacher licensure only in the State of Iowa. In many cases, even if requirements for full licensure have not been met, one can obtain a temporary license in another state. If you intend to teach in a state other than Iowa, you should obtain information concerning licensure requirements in that state as early as possible.

Communications concerning requests for licensure should be addressed to the state department for teacher licensure. They should include a listing of the areas for which licensure/endorsement is being sought and a request for application blanks and instructions. The Department of Placement and Career Services, Room 19, Student Services Center, can provide names and addresses and may also be able to provide general information about specific requirements in individual states.

 

UNI MAJOR AND MINORS IN TEACHINGS

As a teaching major, you should choose a major not later than the beginning of your sophomore year. You also should select at least one minor if a minor requirement is not indicated under the description of the chosen major. Even if it is not required, you may select a second major and one or more minors.

To be approved for teaching in a major or minor area, you must make satisfactory grades in that area, secure departmental approval, and pass any required departmental tests. You may be held for additional work if you do not demonstrate competence.

 

INDIVIDUAL INSTRUCTION OPPORTUNITIES

Resources are available if you wish to strengthen your reading, writing, and study skills. Academic Advising Services, 125 Student Services Center (273-6023) offers both short, informal courses and individual instruction to help in the development of efficient reading and study skills. The Center for Academic Achievement, 214 Student Services Center (273-2346) offers individual instruction to help in the improvement of writing skills.

 

PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS FOR POST-BACCALAUREATE STUDENTS

A person who already holds a Bachelor of Arts degree and is seeking teacher licensure, or additional areas of endorsement, may register as an undergraduate student. Contact the Office of the Registrar to secure a program of studies which will lead to recommendation for the license and/or endorsement desired.

If one wishes to register for graduate work and complete the requirements for licensure at the same time she or he should contact the department which offers the major that normally leads to licensure in the areas selected. All post-baccalaureate students pursuing teacher licensure must arrange a conference with the Director of Teacher Education during their first semester of course work.

 

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