Frequently Asked Questions

New to the Program? Contact the Education Department or a current education student for advice and assistance.

Certification & Employment Questions

Program Application Questions:

When should I apply to the program?

Usually during your sophomore year. You may apply while some of the admissions requirements are still in process (e.g. currently in EDUC 102 or 202, or registered for but have not taken Basic Skills test) but you will not be admitted until these requirements have been met.

May I register for EDUC 302-303 even though I have not yet completed all admission requirements?

You may register if you anticipate completing all the requirements prior to the start of class. If the requirements are not completed, you will be removed from the class unless you receive permission in advance from Dr. Keeley, Education Dept. Chair.

My GPA is not high enough for me to be admitted to the program but it is close. Should I appeal?

If your current grade point average is between 2.40 and 2.49 you may appeal to the Teacher Education Program Appeals Committee for permission to take EDUC 302-303, but you must be able to convince the committee that you have to take EDUC 302-303 the next semester in order to complete your program in a timely manner and that you have a plan for obtaining the appropriate GPA. You will not be admitted to student teaching if your cumulative GPA and GPA in your major and/or minor(s) are below 2.5. If your current GPA is 2.39 or below, you may take more courses or retake earlier courses to bring your grades up prior to being admitted to the program.

What happens in terms of advising once I declare my major and/or minor(s)?

Once you file a Declaration of Major and/or Minor(s) form, you will be assigned to an advisor in your major or minor department. (Students with three minors will be assigned to one of the minor advisors.) Each department has advisors who know the Teacher Education Program requirements and can help you choose appropriate major and minor courses. An advisor from the Education Department will be listed on your AER after you declare your major/minor(s) if you are in the elementary program. The "Education Adv" will be listed after the "Primary Adv" on the AER. The Education Advisor will be available to check your long-term program map and to provide advice about topics that a major-minor advisor is uncertain about.

Scheduling Questions:

May I take courses at another institution and transfer them to Calvin?

Yes, but you must follow college guidelines and request permission from the Registrar PRIOR to taking the course. If you choose to take courses elsewhere, it is best to take core courses. Courses in the Professional Program taken from other institutions generally are not accepted. Transfer credit for courses in your major or minor must be approved by an advisor in that department. Once you have completed 70 semester hours at Calvin, credit hours from two year colleges are not accepted.

May I take summer school courses at Calvin?

Yes! Some core courses, major/minor courses, and education courses are offered in the summer at Calvin. Taking summer courses can allow more freedom to choose during the academic year and can allow you to complete more extensive programs in a timely manner.

Can I participate in an Off-Campus Semester and still make it through the Education Program in a timely manner?

Yes, but you need to plan ahead carefully to make sure you fulfill core and/or major/minor requirements during this semester. The Education Department offers an Off-Campus Semester program in New Mexico during which you may take Education 302-303. This experience may not be offered every year and that enrollment is limited.

What do I do about scheduling challenges, e.g. classes closed, conflicting times?

Know how to read your Academic Evaluation Report and know your options. Have multiple course options and combinations in writing prior to registration time. Having a long-term plan will help.

Don't panic! Our Registrar does a great job of arranging schedules for education students so see him on Appeals Day for assistance in getting your schedule put together. Contact Academic Services for details.

Student Teaching Questions:

Is it possible to take courses after I student teach?

Yes, but only according to certain guidelines. The only education course allowed after student teaching is EDUC 398. Major or minor courses and core courses may be taken after student teaching but departments have specific guidelines regarding how many semester hours of courses you must have completed prior to the student teaching semester. Permission to take core or major/minor courses after student teaching must be obtained from the major/minor advisor. No special permission is needed to take EDUC 398 after student teaching. Taking additional courses during the student teaching semester is not allowed.

When should I apply to student teach?

Complete an application by December 1 of the year prior to when you intend to student teach. Click here for details.

Will I need to be fingerprinted?

Yes, all student teachers are required to be livescan fingerprinted during the three-month period before beginning the student teaching semester due to increase security concerns in our local K-12 schools. Instructions will be sent to your email address.

I was not approved for student teaching. How do I appeal that decision?

If the decision was based on non-approval by your major or minor department, you must first file an appeal with that department according to their departmental requirements. (See the Teacher Education Program Guidebook). If the decision was based on Education Department non-approval or if you are not satisfied with the decision of the major or minor department as described above, you may appeal to the Teacher Education Program Appeals Committee. Directions for filing an appeal can be found in the Education Department Office or online. If you are ineligible for student teaching because of a cumulative GPA below 2.5, you cannot file an appeal and must retake courses to raise your GPA.

I know a great teacher in School X and would like to student teach with him or her. May I make my own arrangements with a teacher or school for student teaching?

No. The Coordinator of Field Placements arranges all student teaching assignments. We place student teachers carefully based on a variety of factors and must follow school district placement procedures. If you have a request for a particular school, you may note this on your student teaching application. However, you are not guaranteed a placement in a particular school.

May I student teach out of state or closer to my home?

Because student teaching is the culminating experience of the professional program in which students implement, strengthen, and develop what they have learned in prior classes, we believe it is very important that students are supervised by carefully chosen college supervisors who know the program well and also that students participate in small and large group seminars regularly throughout the semester. Thus, we require students to student teach within reasonable driving distance from Calvin College.

We do offer two distant site student teaching options for elementary students: the Chicago semester program and the New Mexico semester program in Rehoboth, New Mexico. These programs may not be offered every semester and that enrollment is limited.

In occasional cases of extreme personal hardship, distant site student teaching might be warranted. Ask the Associate Dean for Teacher Education about the procedure for requesting an exception for distant site student teaching.

When will I find out where I am placed for student teaching and what is involved in the semester?

Your placement will be e-mailed to you as soon as it has been approved by the school. Most elementary students know by the end of October for the spring semester and by the end of April for the fall semester placements. Secondary students are notified throughout the semester prior to student teaching. You are asked to contact the teacher and/or the principal for an interview. The interview varies greatly from one school to another. Some are quite informal and a time to get acquainted. Other schools ask more detailed questions regarding your training and your thoughts on classroom management, etc. We will give you a handout of possible interview questions so that you can be prepared.

The fall semester may start before Calvin's start date due to the early start of the schools. The spring semester usually begins near the first of February (Calvin's start date) because most students need to take an interim. Students are asked to limit outside commitments (work, coaching, etc.) because of the amount of time to prepare and the energy needed to be an effective teacher. You will be assigned a College Supervisor and you will meet him/her at the orientation meeting, which is usually held on the afternoon of your first day of school. Please direct any other specific questions to Mary Jo Louters, Coordinator of Field Placement & Student Services. loutma@calvin.edu

Certification & Employment Questions:

Which subject matter competency tests should I take and when should I take them?

The appropriate Michigan Tests for Teacher Certification should be taken during your final year in the program, after you have completed the majority of your major/minor courses so that you are well prepared to pass the tests. You must pass the appropriate tests in all of your major and minor areas in order for you to receive the correct endorsements on your certificate. Be sure to review the practice questions are available on-line at www.mttc.nesinc.com and in Calvin's library reserve reading room. Additional details about the MTTC tests are available at: http://www.calvin.edu/academic/education/students/mttc.htm .

What do I need to know about the CPR and First Aid requirement?

The State of Michigan requires CPR and First Aid training for all candidates seeking initial teacher certification. Therefore, Calvin will not be able to recommend a person for certification unless he or she has successfully completed a course in CPR and First Aid that is approved by the American Red Cross or American Heart Association and that includes both adult and child CPR. The CPR card is only valid for one year, so the course should not be taken more than one year prior to one's initial certification date/graduation. Students who take a CPR/First Aid class at a location other than Calvin College need to send copies of their cards to the Education Department. Additional details are available at:
http://www.calvin.edu/academic/education/students/cpr.htm

How will Calvin assist me in finding a teaching job?

The Career Development Office provides a great deal of assistance to Calvin students in finding teaching jobs:

· Each fall and spring they offer practice interview sessions with area administrators.

· Each year they publish a directory of prospective teachers and send it to administrators across North America.

· They assist you in designing a good resume and cover letter.

· They help you prepare a credential file that can be sent to interested schools and administrators.

· They publish information about job openings and assist in job searches in particular locations.

· They host visiting administrators who come to our campus to interview prospective teachers. They also host a Teacher Job Fair each year in which prospective employers come and interview Calvin teacher education candidates.

You will be receiving information on how to access these services in the fall of your final year. Make sure you attend the information meetings and complete the necessary materials in a timely manner.

I want to teach in a state other than Michigan. How do I get a certificate elsewhere?

Information about certification will be provided at the first large-group student teaching meeting. Also, visit the Teacher Certification Website.