Chapter 20: Guidelines for Observation and Participation in the Classroom

Willamette University’s School of Education in Salem, Oregon offers a ten-month program that allows candidates to earn a Master of Arts in Teaching degree and complete requirements for an Oregon initial teaching license. The MAT program begins in August so that students commence their practicum experience in the public schools before school starts. During the fall semester, students complete two practicum experiences. In the spring semester, they complete full-time student teaching from January through the last day of school. There are approximately 25 to 30 students in the Middle Level Cohort each year.

With a total of over 1000 hours in the public schools, it is critically important to help students integrate theory and practice; coursework on campus and field experiences. To accomplish this, we consider the school/university partnership essential. Classroom teachers who supervise practica and student teaching are full partners in the process of teacher preparation.