Student Teaching Handbook:
Long Distance Placement

Student appeals to student teach in a site other than the university site will be accepted for extreme circumstance cases. A student teaching applicant will be considered for a long distance placement when he/she has been compelled to change his/her place of residence to an area in which student teaching supervision is not provided by the university in which the student is registered as a degree candidate. The reason for such change of residence will involve such circumstances as:

1. serious terminal illness or death of a parent;
2. care of small children for which family assistance is required due to separation, divorce, or illness of student's husband or wife;
3. location of employment of either the wife or husband of  the student.

Student teachers who have a long distance placement will take/participate in an online capstone class through TTU and will produce an electronic portfolio. The long distance placement should be in place by October 1st for the spring semester and late-February for the fall semester. For more information about long distance student teaching, please read the following questions and answers.

Long Distance Student Teaching - Spring 2008
Questions and Answers

I am thinking about doing long distance student teaching, but I heard it was a complicated process?
The process for doing long distance student teaching is complex yet many students every semester are able to successfully complete it.

I heard we were not going to be able to do long distance student teaching anymore?
There are several concerns about long distance student teaching – valid ones. If you have valid reasons for needing to complete your student teaching away from Texas Tech, your request will be considered.

What is the first step?
The first step is to meet with the Coordinator of Student Teachers, for updated long-distance student teaching procedures. He will give you an application packet to complete. You can contact the Coordinator of Student Teachers at 742-1998, ext. 511 to schedule an appointment.

When should I start the process?
It is very important that you do not contact any other universities until you have spoken with the Coordinator of Student Teachers. You should contact her during the second or third week of the semester before you actually plan on student teaching and after you have met all the eligibility requirements to student teach at a distance. After your meeting with the Coordinator, you should begin contacting potential supervising universities. DO NOT make application or pay any fees to the other university until you have been approved by the Coordinator to student teach at a distance. You should complete all steps for obtaining a courtesy placement by the end of February. Again, do not contact other student teaching offices before the semester prior to your student teaching semester.

Texas Tech University has partnered with 5 school districts to supervise long distance student teachers. If student teachers are planning to go to the Dallas, FT.Worth area, all student teachers will be placed and supervised by the Dallas Independent School District FT.Worth ISD, HEB schools or Frisco ISD. All student teachers going to the Houston area will be placed and supervised by the Spring Branch Independent School District. We have found this to be a necessary adjustment due to constructing factors other universities are placing on long distance student teachers.

Why is it so difficult to find another university to supervise my student teaching?
Few universities participate in courtesy student teaching placements. The extra expense and paperwork to take on additional students teachers often deters a university from participating. Additionally, if they have had a poor student previously from a different university, the experience may have influenced them on taking any students outside of their own. Some universities are requiring tuition to be paid to them as well as TTU. For a list of those universities, please see the Coordinator..

The principal at the school where I’ll be doing my student teaching said the he will supervise me.
Often principals, superintendents, and other highly qualified people will offer to supervise your student teaching experience. However, the state is very strict as to who is eligible to supervise student teachers. The university supervisor must be working through an accredited College of Education to validate your certification application.

If I am supervised through another university when do I start?
You start your student teaching semester when your supervising university begins their semester. You follow their semester calendar for orientation and completion dates.

How many weeks do I have to student teach?
You will student teach the same number of weeks as your supervising university’s student teachers. You start when they start and you end when they end their semester. Your university supervisor should have that information. It is VERY important that you get your grade report to us by the deadline you will receive or else you may not be able to graduate on time.

Do I have to attend the Texas Tech Student Teaching Orientation?
Long distance student teachers are not required to attend the orientation held on the Texas Tech campus but must be available to start in your placement or participate in any pre-semester activities required by your supervising university.

Do I have to register at both Texas Tech and at my supervising university?
You must register at Texas Tech for student teaching and capstone in order for TTU to finalize your graduation and to process your certification application. Depending upon which supervising university is working with you, you may need to register with them to pay for your student teaching supervision. Some supervising universities only require you to pay a separate supervision fee.

What about the required Capstone class?
You will enroll in the TTU capstone class and will be assigned to the online section. You may be required to attend some sessions in Lubbock. These sessions will most likely occur immediately following the semester prior to student teaching. This will prevent you from returning to Lubbock during your student teaching semester. You will complete and present an electronic portfolio. In addition, most universities have a seminar they expect their students to attend when student teaching. You should attend everything the host university has and will allow you to attend.

After I have arranged for a supervising university, what does Texas Tech need?
Once you are registered for student teaching, make sure Texas Tech’s Admissions and Records has your current permanent address and phone number. Also contact the Coordinator with your new address, phone number, and email address.

When will I know about my school and teacher assignment?
Each university coordinates separately with their local school districts on placement deadlines. Usually the long distance student teacher will hear directly from the supervising university’s student teaching office. As soon as you receive confirmation regarding placement information, please
email your assignment to the Coordinator of Student Teachers so that we update our database.

What if I just do my student teaching through another university and then just transfer the credits back to Texas Tech?
The transfer process takes an extra semester. The supervising university cannot transfer credits until after their grades are officially posted. This delays Texas Tech from processing your certification or graduation until the following semester.

How many credits do I need to register for Student Teaching Long Distance?
This is determined by your individual degree plan or check with your academic advisor.

When must I register for Student Teaching if I am doing it Long Distance?
We will register you for the appropriate student teaching and capstone class by the end of the semester prior to your student teaching.

Where do I take the TExES test?
You can sign up to take the TExES anywhere in Texas that it is offered; however, you must process the application through TTU. Please pick up an information sheet about signing up for the TExES in the Student Services lobby of the Education Building.

Can I do an Internship Long Distance instead of doing my Student Teaching?
This is up to individual districts. Internships are similar to emergency certifications in that a student would need to find a school district that has been unable to fill a position with a certified teacher. If this district would be willing to hire a student with a bachelors’ degree but without the Student Teaching experience, the district would then contact a certification advisor regarding an internship as alternative certification. Jana Packard can provide you with more information. You may contact her at jana.packard@ttu.edu. However, you should sign up for student teaching anyway in case the internship request is denied.

Is the procedure the same if I need to do my Student Teaching in another state?
Yes, the procedure outlined is basically the same. However, the State Board for Educator Certification requires that at least HALF of your student teaching be completed in the State of Texas. Even if you complete part of your student teaching in another state, your certification will still be from Texas.

Can I get the Building Fees waived, if I don’t have any classes on the Tech Campus or if I am doing Long Distance Student Teaching?
Not all Mandatory fess can be waived only the On-campus fees like the Rec center.Health services and athletics will be adjusted and only for those student teaching during long distance student teaching.

Can I still participate in Graduation if I do Long Distance Student Teaching?
Yes, all long distance student teachers must contact their advisors at the beginning of their last year to complete the INTENT TO GRADUATE form.

How will my long distance university supervisor evaluate me?
Long distance student teachers are encouraged to use the supervising university’s evaluation forms. It is to your advantage if you are going to pursue employment in the area in which they have relocated.

Once I complete my student teaching experience, how does Texas Tech get copies of my evaluations?
This is your and the supervising university’s responsibility. At the end of the student teaching experience, Texas Tech needs the final evaluations from the university supervisor and classroom mentor teacher. These should be sent to the Coordinator of Student Teachers, TTU College of Education, P. O. Box 41071, Lubbock, Texas 79409-1071 (or fax: 806-742-2179). We will make copies for your College of Education Student File and originals are sent to the Texas Tech Career Center.

What else do I need to do?
You need to register with the Career Center (742-2210 or online at www.careercenter.ttu.edu) for a smooth transition through the job search and hiring processes. Start the registration process before you leave campus.

What if I am unable to do my student teaching long distance as planned or just need to postpone it until later?
Contact the Student Teaching Office (806-742-1998, ext. 511) immediately if you make any changes concerning your student teaching semester.

* Art, Home Ec, Music, and Agriculture Student Teachers check with your departments regarding
Long Distance Student Teaching possibilities!

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