Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Gives future educators an opportunity to assist in a local K-12 classroom for a minimum of 60 hours of hands-on experience. Offers future educators invaluable classroom experience that will assist them with their career goals. The practicum is supported by an online course and classroom community, and supervised by education faculty. Prerequisites: Permission of Department/Instructor because practicum has to be set up.

Upon successful completion of the course students should be able to:

1. Support classroom teacher in maintaining an inclusive learning environment during the third-term practicum.
2. Support student learning by reinforcing a positive culturally-responsive learning environment for all students.
3. Modify instruction as needed to meet individual student needs  within given parameters as guided by their host teacher.
4. Use interpersonal and communication skills in ways that respect communication styles and differences and show sensitivity in regard to individuals' cultural, social, cognitive, and emotional differences.
5. Demonstrate teamwork with teachers and staff to support curricular goals, tasks and activities.  
6. Apply/practice professional, ethical and legal knowledge/behavior.

• Learn best practices for creating inclusive and culturally responsive learning environments.
• Learn the importance of developing meaningful relationships in the learning environment.
• Develop and evolve cultural competence.
• Get inspired by effective teaching strategies and approaches.

• Participate in Online course

• Assist teacher in local K-12 classroom

• Present oneself professionally in-person and via letter of introduction

• Classroom Observation by PCC Supervisor

• Debrief cooperating teacher evaluation with teacher

• Attendance

• Online Journal

• Discussion Posts

• Letters to cooperating teacher: Introduction and Thank you

• Cooperating Teacher Evaluation

• Observation by PCC Supervisor

• Supervised experience that will provide guidance and mentorship

Students will be practicing the following:

Professional and ethical skills:

•Identify and understand one's role in the classroom 
•Identify and put into practice knowledge of confidentiality.
•Report any incident or suspected incident of child abuse to the proper authority.

Interpersonal and communication skills:

•Cooperate as part of the instructional team.
•Use effective non-verbal, oral and written communication skills.
•Maintain good working and team relations.
•Receive, interpret and utilize feedback.
•Model and practice listening, observation and reporting skills.
•Practice self-care strategies that are critical for educators.
•Understand policies, procedures and expectations required in the classroom and school setting.

Employability skills:

•Practice dependability, punctuality and responsibility in regards to absences and tardiness.
•Identify and practice good work habits.
•Responds appropriately to feedback from supervisor, or other school personnel.
•Demonstrates organizational skills.
•Follows the school dress-code.

Knowledge of teaching strategies:

•Modify and develop teaching strategies to use with students under the guidance of the teacher.
•Identify and make adjustments for different learning styles.
•Use appropriate communication levels for the students (age appropriate, sign language, etc.).

Creating a welcoming classroom community:

•Describe and demonstrate techniques for promoting a positive, inclusive and culturally- responsive learning environment.

•Observe and report critical incidences.