Tyler Junior College Department of Education
The Field Base Experience Program
An education major working on the FBE is many things: an extra pair of hands, an extra measure of personal warmth, a valuable special resource for classroom enrichment, a bridge between our school program and the community. An education student is a volunteer on the school campus. Remember that as an FBE, you are a guest on the campus.
An experience is career-related work activities that typically lasts sixteen hours.
A potential FBE site should:
Offer pre-professional tasks ( less than 50% clerical work)
Offer conscientious training and on-going supervision.
Provide a student with an overview of all departments and functions of the organization. Depending on the
student's major
and background, he/she may be able to rotate in many different departments and/or functions.
Offer extra opportunities (i.e. be included in staff meetings, seminars, traveling off-site to clients, etc.)
Education students should:
Be in regular attendance and on time.
Critique on a daily basis your lessons and activities
Dress properly. You will have many people observing you formally and informally each day. Schools usually
have their own dress code and other schools allow a more informal dress. You should dress up as much as
possible to demonstrate your professionalism.
Be careful what you say in the lounge. Less is better.
Exchange phone numbers and email addresses with supervisor. Provide supervisor with a class/bell schedule
as well as a district calendar at the first meeting.
Call Supervisor if absent on the day of an observation.
Keeping a reflective teaching journal is not a requirement but is good practice to help you improve on your
lessons.
Don't take comments from the supervisor personally-remember the goal is to succeed.
Be open to growing in new ways.
Be professional in all conversations.
Realize that there are no "perfect" lessons. The field base experience is a learning experience.
Good luck!
It is the intent of Tyler Junior College to utilize FBE experiences to enhance the educational programs in our partner schools. As an education major working on your FBE, you are assisting the staff in their day-to-day endeavor to provide the best possible educational experiences for each child in the school. So that you can be more effective, you may want to better understand your role and how your intern assignment relates to the school.
Students work under the direction and guidance of school personnel. They will not replace salaried staff, nor will their presence mean that fewer staff members will be needed. "The general purpose of the School Field Base Experience Program is to enrich and enhance the student's curriculum and to strengthen school-community relations.Ó"
WHY PARTICIPATE?
¥ To be a good role model for others.
¥ To share personal experiences and unique talents.
¥ To experience the satisfaction of helping someone.
¥ To have an opportunity for personal growth.
¥ To develop new skills.
¥ To meet new people and make new friends.
¥ To learn about your community.
¥ To use time in a meaningful way.
¥ To satisfy the Field Base Experience requirement for your education course at Tyler Junior College
FBE STUDENTS ARE ASKED TO SIGN IN AND OUT (OFFICE) EACH TIME THEY WORK AT THE SCHOOL. For security reasons and in case of an emergency, it is important for the principal to know who is in the school and why.
DON'T FORGET! Sign-in and out each time you arrive on campus. We know it takes a few extra minutes to follow this procedure, but it is very important.
NAME BADGES
By wearing a name badge, you will be immediately recognized as a person whose specific purpose is helping staff and students. Your name badge will enable staff to recognize you as a registered intern and an important part of our school's educational team.
Working With Students (Effective Ways to Work With Children)
1. Be warm and friendly--learn the children's names and show interest in what they are doing and telling you. You are very important as a listener.
2. When working with children, encourage them to do their own thinking--give them plenty of time to answer; silence often means they are thinking and organizing what they want to say or write.
3. If you don't know an answer or are unsure of what to do, admit it to the children and work it out together. Feel free to ask the teacher of the children for help when you need it.
4. Use tact and positive comments--encourage children--seek something worthy of a compliment, especially when children are having difficulties.
5. Accept each child as she/he is--you do not need to feel responsible for assessing a child's abilities, progress or behavior.
6. Respect a child's privacy--if a child or a teacher reveals personal information, regard it as a confidence.
7. Maintain a sense of humor.
8. Be consistent with classroom social contract for classroom behavior, schedule and atmosphere.
9. Wear comfortable clothes and don't hesitate to "get down to a child's level".
10. If parents and friends ask about your work, tell them you enjoy working with the children and discuss the activities you do rather than specific information about the child, the teacher or the school.
11. Keep your commitment: The children will expect you and look forward to your coming. If you know you will be gone, tell them in advance. Keep all promises and make none that you cannot keep--children never forget.
TIPS FOR FIELD BASE EXPERIENCE:
¥ RESPECT THE CONFIDENTIAL NATURE OF ANYTHING YOU SEE OR HEAR. SHARE ANY CONCERNS YOU MAY HAVE ONLY WITH THE CLASSROOM TEACHER OR PRINCIPAL AT SCHOOL.
¥ Students look forward to seeing you and the staff counts on you! IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO INTERN OR WILL BE LATE, PLEASE LET THE SECRETARY KNOW.
¥ If you happen to get sick or an emergency arises please let the secretary know.
¥ Please feel free to dress in comfortable clothes, however remember our school does have a dress code asking people to refrain from wearing clothing that advertises tobacco, alcohol, etc. Please no hat/cap unless it's a school "Hat Day."
¥ If for some reason the FBE assignment is not what you expected or you are not comfortable with the assignment, please contact the classroom teacher and they will make arrangements to get the assignment switched. There are MANY FBE OPPORTUNITIES and we will be more than happy to find one you will enjoy!
¥ If at any time you are unsure of your intern assignment or responsibilities, please ask the classroom teacher. We value your time and talents.
¥ Enjoy yourself!
¥ During fire or tornado drills please follow directions from the classroom teacher you are working with.
The professional staff at our school is responsible for everything that goes on in our building including student instruction, safety and discipline. Interns supplement and support the program, but may not:
¥ Discipline students
¥ Have access to materials in students' permanent record files
¥ Diagnose student needs
¥ Evaluate achievement
¥ Counsel students
¥ Discuss student progress and concerns with parents
A intern is really appreciated but is never considered a substitute for a member of the school staff!
DON'T FORGET!
1. Sign-in at the school office each time you arrive on campus
2. Wear your name tag.
3. Document your hours.
4. Attend any FBE Orientation.
5. Ask questions! No question is inappropriate if you don't know the answer.
6. If you have concerns, please tell us!
7. If you are unhappy with the assignments or are having problems concerning them....tell us!
8. If you are happy about your assignment and the School FBE Program...tell us and tell others!
If you have any concerns or questions contact:
DEPARTMENT CHAIR:
Kay Lynn Moran