Cadet Teacher Academy

CADET TEACCADetHER ACADEMY

CADET TEACHER ACADEMY

2009-2010

Program Handbook

Cadet Teacher Academy

CADET TEACHER ACADEMY

Van Buren Intermediate School District

Van Buren Technology Center
490 South Street

Lawrence, MI 49064

Cadet Teacher Academy

Cadet Teacher Academy

2009-2010

Mission Statement

The mission of the Van Buren Intermediate School District Cadet Teacher Academy program is to provide students, who are considering a career in education, with an introduction to teaching using classroom and field experiences relating to their career area of interest.

The mission of Van Buren ISD is to promote an environment of growth through positive educational experiences to meet the diverse needs of our constituents.

Philosophy Statement

The Cadet Teacher Academy is an outreach program to the area school districts to foster the development of the teaching profession at the local level.

What is an “Academy” Program?

The Cadet Teacher Academy is open to all junior and senior high school students throughout the Van Buren Intermediate School District who meet the Academy requirements. The Cadet Teacher Academy is offered to students who are considering a career in an educational field. This Academy will provide opportunities for the student to experience the classroom from a teacher’s perspective.

An Academy Program is a dual enrollment program offered through the Van Buren Technology Center in cooperation with area community colleges. Academies give qualified students the opportunity to earn college credit along with skills in their career area of interest. Students will also receive a head start into specific college programs.

What are the Requirements for Students?

All Academies require students to meet specific requirements before being admitted into a program. The criteria include:

ü Minimum grade point of 2.5 (cumulative)

ü Good attendance

ü Have transportation to class site and mentor’s classroom if needed

ü Meet local school requirements for dual enrollment (see your high school counselor)

ü Attend a mandatory summer orientation/inservice

Role of Cadet Teacher Intern (CTI)

The student, hereafter referred to as Cadet Teacher Intern (CTI) will assist a mentor teacher in activities related to the teaching profession. The mentor teacher assumes full responsibility for the instruction of the student at the worksite and the CTI will assist the teacher in providing instruction to students. The CTI can, and should, be used for the specific purpose of assisting the mentor teacher in enhancing the instructional program for students. This will enable the CTI to experience and be exposed to the career of teaching. The CTI may request a specific mentor teacher. However, selection of mentor teachers is the responsibility of the Instructor/Coordinator and home school administrators.

Cadet Teacher Academy

Student Selection Criteria

The following areas will be considered when selecting students for enrollment in the Cadet Teacher Academy Program:

1. The student should have a true interest in the field of education.

ü Part of the four-year high school plan (EDP)

ü Part of future employment plan

2. The student must have a good attendance record.

3. The student must have the necessary G.P.A. and classes to attend a four year college.

4. The student will complete an application process that includes three teacher (one coach may be included) recommendations.

5. The student demonstrates honesty, loyalty, and independent leadership qualities.

6. The student has met with the mentor teacher and building principal where he/she will be placed (prior to the end of the current school year).

Attendance Procedure/Policy

The Van Buren Technology Center does have an attendance policy separate from the student’s home school. It is the responsibility of the student and parent to ensure regular attendance. Optimum learning occurs through a process of continuity of instruction, classroom participation, unique learning experiences and appropriate application of concepts. Regular attendance is necessary to meet all of these requirements. A student may miss no more than 7 undocumented absences per semester. After 7 undocumented absences, a student must file a “Request for Credit Appeal” form (appendix Z in Tech Handbook). Students who do not may be referred back to their home school and may lose all credit for the semester. Attendance is considered important by the Technology Center staff and in the world of work. The Cadet Teacher Intern is responsible for providing documentation of absences to the Technology Center.

Documented absences include:

· Documentation from a doctor indicating the student could not attend school that day.

· Documentation from the court system indicating the students could not attend school that day.

· Documentation from funeral of a family member.

· Documentation of serious illness of a family member.

· Documentation from the armed services.

· School Related Absences – must have principal’s signature of verification

We insist that students behave in a professional manner regarding absences, and provide the guidelines as follows:

ü In case of emergency or illness, it is the responsibility of the CTI to notify the mentor teacher and cadet instructor if he/she will not be reporting to the host school/worksite at the designated time. The mentor teacher and CTI should decide how notification will be handled. Notify the cadet instructor on the day of the absence by phone or email. CTIs are to maintain regular hours, reporting to the host school on time and staying for the entire time every school day. Small adjustments may be made in consideration of travel time during inclement weather.

ü CTIs are responsible for tracking attendance. Experience Logs submitted to the Cadet Teacher Academy Instructor/Coordinator are to be completed by the CTI and validated by the mentor teacher. Logs must be faxed (674-8954) or copies given to the Cadet Teacher Academy Instructor/Coordinator in a timely manner. A pattern of failing to turn in an Experience Log will result in the CTI being dropped from the program.

ü Whenever there is a change in the CTI’s high school schedule, the CTI is to notify the mentor teacher and cadet instructor in advance of the change, e.g. in-service day, late starts, athletic events, assemblies, etc. CTI’s are responsible for providing documentation from the home school for school related absences.

ü Whenever the CTI is absent due to illness or other situations not prearranged, the CTI is to notify the mentor teacher and cadet instructor prior to the normal starting time with the mentor teacher or in the cadet class.

Detailed information regarding notification, making up time, and the appeal process is provided in the Technology Center Handbook.

If a problem or concern should arise, please contact the Cadet Teacher Academy Instructor/Coordinator immediately!

Grading System

Grades for the Cadet Teacher Academy are based on a composite of your achievement on coursework, your attitude while in class, and the evaluation from your mentor teacher. The evaluation from your mentor teacher will be weighted at 20% of your grade. The other 80% will be based on tests, experience logs, assigned work, attendance, and class participation/attitude (the course syllabus has a breakdown). All CTIs must pass each section of their evaluation and class to remain in the program.

Experience Logs

The Experience Log will verify your time spent in class. They are REQUIRED to be submitted to the Technology Center in a timely manner. Your mentor teacher must sign the log to make it valid. Experience Logs will be given to the CTI in a packet for the school year. If pages of the log are continually late or missing, a conference with you and your home school counselor will result. A pattern of failing to turn in Experience Logs will result in the CTI being dropped from the program.

Field Trips

Your mentor teacher may request that you attend a field trip with your assigned class. This can happen if there is enough lead-time and the proper forms are filed and approved by your principal. Students should give one week notice for field trip paperwork. Contact the Cadet Teacher Academy Instructor/Coordinator as soon as you are aware of a field trip.

Cadet Teacher Academy Goals

After completion of the Cadet Teacher Academy, the student will be able to:

1. Demonstrate the policies and procedures of the VBTC and work safely while in attendance.

2. Understand the concepts of dealing with student behavior.

3. Acquire a basic understanding of teaching methods.

4. Understand the social and emotional needs of students.

5. Demonstrate basic emergency measures.

6. Practice personal hygiene and appropriate dress.

7. Work successfully in a work experience position.

8. Job Shadow (observe) a teaching environment different from the assigned one.

9. Organize, develop and carry out daily activities.

10. Assist a classroom mentor teacher with given responsibilities.

Cadet Teacher Academy Intern

As a Cadet Teacher Intern, it is expected that you will experience teaching in a classroom:

ü Classroom Assignment

§ A minimum of 50% of the CTI experience should include direct involvement with the students. This may be with individual students, small groups, or with the whole class.

§ The other 50% of the CTI experience will be observing and recording behaviors, developing activities and lesson plans, and assisting the mentor teacher with instructional and classroom management duties.

ü The success of the CTI will depend largely on the relationship between the CTI and the mentor teacher. The CTI should recognize that the mentor teacher is in charge of the classroom and that the CTI cannot be left in the classroom alone with the students.

§ The CTI and the mentor teacher should:

· Work as a team

· Exhibit mutual understanding, trust, and respect

· Cooperate in carrying out plans and procedures

· Maintain a pleasant atmosphere for learning

§ The CTI’s relationship with pupils:

· Deal fairly with each pupil

· Maintain a professional relationship with students to encourage respect

· Encourage and motivate pupils

· Be a good listener and keep the confidentiality that has been placed in trust

· Be aware of individual differences among students

· Be honest and straight-forward in all situations

· Maintain a good sense of humor

ü The mentor teacher will be required to submit an evaluation for each marking period. It is expected that the CTI should continue to improve and become stronger in all areas as the school year progresses.

ü Confidential information is a trust and should be treated accordingly.

ü The CTI should dress appropriately for the classroom environment.

CTI Suggested Activities & Duties (may differ depending on classroom location):

ü Read a story to the entire class.

ü Help students with their handwriting.

ü Do spelling with the large group.

ü Listen/assist students with their reading.

ü Help students in math and do worksheets.

ü Work with the entire class on a lesson.

ü Plan, prepare, and present lessons.

ü Supervise students and handle discipline problems with the mentor teacher’s help.

ü Keep activities going when the mentor teacher has other things to do.

ü Work one-on-one with special needs students.

ü Help with standardized testing.

ü Grade papers.

ü Make copies and overheads.

ü Put student’s artwork and poems in hallway.

ü Attend staff meetings, open houses, etc.

ü Assist in keeping classroom neat and orderly.

ü Assist in lunch room supervision.

ü Assist in playground supervision.

ü Assist with field trips. (Students may attend field trips as long as proper paperwork is complete in advance.)

ü Distribute books and supplies to students.

ü Take students to library, playground, office, nurse, etc.

ü Arrange bulletin boards.

ü Make name tags.

ü Arrange a science corner, reading center, etc.

ü Collect money.

ü Fill paint and paste jars.

ü Assist with clerical duties.

ü Check attendance, lunch counts, etc.

ü Mark attendance on report cards.

ü Assist with art, music, dramatic presentations.

ü Read stories.

ü Arrange and supervise games for rainy day activities.

ü Do housekeeping chores - cleaning closets, sorting materials, etc.

ü Assist in the collection and filing of pictures.

ü Put lessons for the next day on board.

ü File instructional materials for the mentor teacher.

ü Care for room pets.

ü Help with student’s clothing.

ü Give directions for an activity.

ü Converse with students.

ü Observe in other classrooms.

ü Listen to oral reading of individual students.

ü Make a seating chart.

Suggested Activities for the Middle School CTI

· Observe Mentor Teacher and students in the classroom

· Make or revise a seating chart

· Converse and interact with students

· Give directions for an activity

· Listen to oral reading of individual students

· Work one-on-one with all students, including students with special needs

· Work with small groups on specific projects and lessons

· Work with the entire class on a lesson

· Assist Mentor Teacher when presenting lessons

· Plan, prepare and present lessons

· Work with students on computer related projects

· Work with students on Internet searches

· Supervise students and handle discipline problems with the Mentor Teacher’s help

· File instructional materials for the Mentor Teacher

· Assist with field trips. (the CTI may attend field trips as long as proper paperwork in completed in advance.)

· Distribute books and supplies to students

· Take students to library, office, etc.

· Arrange bulletin boards

· Check attendance, record attendance, mark attendance on report cards

· Assist with art, music, dramatic presentations (if applicable)

· Observe in other classrooms (by appointment only)

· Attend a staff meeting/open house

· Attend a parent/teacher conference (if applicable)

· Help with standardized testing

· Put lessons for the next day on the board