Course Overview
EDU 385 is a co-taught and co-planned course by the three instructors. You can expect to see one, two or three course instructors at any TLC given session. This is a seminar style course that’s going to look very different from your other education classes. We focus on teaching, learning and interdisciplinary themes that weave across the elementary curriculum. Thus we call this course TLC. We focus on special topics such as inclusion or teaching across difficult topics and other topics selected by our students. A major focus of the TLC class during practicum is debriefing. The briefing session will use both written reflections and seminar style discussion to help us to understand the opportunities and the challenges that you are facing in the classroom. As a seminar we will have class readings, guest speakers and other activities to bridge the teaching, learning and curriculum in your elementary school classrooms.
Evaluation
The course is graded pass/fail. In order to pass the course, you will need to complete to a satisfactory level all of the course requirements and assignments, including:
Attendance in sessions of EDU 385 on campus.
Attendance in practicum.
Completion of readings and assignments.
Participation in discussions and activities.
Teacher identity and vocation assignment: Readings, reflections and final presentation as part of the TL final. This semester we will explore our collective identity and vocation as a teacher. Parker Palmer writes:
We teach who we are. Good teaching cannot be reduced to technique; good teaching comes from the identity and integrity of the teacher.
Throughout the semester we will provide articles and other resources for you to think and write about your own emerging teacher identity and your vocation as a teacher. Several sessions of TLC will focus on discussion related to teacher identity and vocation. At our TLC final on each of you will develop a presentation that will be shared in small groups with one of the three TLC instructors and classmates.
Pass:
Meets or exceeds the standard. Work is well organized and complete. Student applies what has been learned to classroom settings. Student shows professionalism as outlined in the Gustavus Teacher Education Statement of Professionalism.
No Credit:
Below the standard. Work is not complete. Attendance and/or professional development have been insufficient. Student demonstrates only surface understanding of concepts taught. Applications of knowledge to teaching settings are not apparent. Additional time and experiences are necessary for success in the field of teaching.
Gustavus Education Department Attendance Policy
Cumulative absences (excused or not excused) equaling 15% or more of scheduled class meetings will result in a lowering of the grade by one letter grade. Cumulative absences (excused or not excused) equaling 25% or more of scheduled class meetings will result in a D grade. This will require a retake to remain in the education program. Excused absences are those that come with written documentation. Illness excuses must be communicated to the instructor at least one half hour prior to the start of the class period. Extenuating circumstances may be considered by the instructor.
Five or more late entrances into class (for one hour classes) and two or more late entrances (for longer classes) will result in a decrease of the final grade by one letter grade.
Absences from any practicum requirement for this course without prior contact (at least a half hour prior to the start of the placement experience) with the instructor and the placement teacher will result in a decrease in the final grade by one letter grade. All visits will be verified with the practicum teacher or site coordinator. In addition, more than one excused absence must be made up by the student on the student’s own time, with a signed statement form the placement teacher/site manager attesting to the additional visit(s), returned to the course instructor before the end of the semester. Passed May, 2014
Gustavus Education Department Policy Regarding Syllabi
A syllabus for a course is a contract with expectations for students enrolled in the class. Changes of due dates or expectations may only be negotiated between the entire class and the instructor. As an individual intending to work in schools as an educator, it is important to recognize the contractual nature of a syllabus. Due dates are final, and work is expected to be completed on time. All course expectations, as defined in the syllabus, are to be met by the student, with work to be documented and/or evaluated by the instructor and results reflected in student grades. Failure to meet the deadlines specified in the syllabus (except in emergency situations or extreme situations which have been discussed with the instructor early in the semester) identifies the individual as someone who is not able to meet the professional responsibilities of the teaching profession. Therefore, any such breach of contract may be cause for dismissal from the education department. Passed August, 2015
Disability Services
At its May 2011 Faculty Meeting, the faculty approved changes to Faculty Handbook Section 2.2.7: “Through information provided in syllabi, faculty members will notify students of the availability of disability services at Gustavus and how to access them.” The following statement is recommended for inclusion on all syllabi:
Gustavus Adolphus College is committed to ensuring the full participation of all students in its programs. If you have a documented disability, or you think you may have a disability of any nature (e.g., mental health, attentional, learning, chronic health, sensory, or physical) and, as a result, need reasonable academic accommodation to participate in class, take tests or benefit from the College’s services, then you should speak with the Disability Services staff, for a confidential discussion of your needs and appropriate plans. Course requirements cannot be waived, but reasonable accommodations may be provided based on disability documentation and course outcomes. Accommodations cannot be made retroactively; therefore, to maximize your academic success at Gustavus, please contact Disability Services as early as possible. Disability Services (https://gustavus.edu/advising/disability/) is located in the Academic Support Center. Disability Services Coordinator, Kelly Karstad, (kkarstad@gustavus.edu or x7138), can provide further information.
Academic Honesty
At its November 2006 Faculty Meeting, the faculty approved changes to Faculty Handbook Section 2.2.9: “Through information provided in syllabi and/or other means, faculty members will explain to students how the Honor Code will operate in their respective courses.” The following statement is suggested as a pledge for students to sign on all graded assignments and projects:
“On my honor, I pledge that I have not given, received, or tolerated others’ use of unauthorized aid in completing this work.”
A similar statement may be signed by students at the beginning of a course, indicating that their work for that course will comply with the academic honesty policy and the Honor Code.
Full descriptions of the Academic Honesty Policy and the Honor Code can be found in the Academic Catalog (online at https://gustavus.edu/general_catalog/current/acainfo). For more information about the Honor Code, contact Dean Julie Bartley (jbartley@gustavus.edu or x7541).
Help for Multilingual Students
Support for English learners and multilingual students is available through the Academic Support Center’s Multilingual Learner Tutor (https://gustavus.edu/advising/). The MLL tutor can meet individually with students for tutoring in writing, consulting about academic tasks, and helping students connect with the College’s support systems. When requested, the MLL tutor can consult with faculty regarding effective classroom strategies for English learners and multilingual students. If requested, the MLL tutor can provide students with a letter to a professor that explains and supports appropriate academic arrangements (e.g., additional time on tests, additional revisions for papers). Professors make decisions based on those recommendations at their own discretion. In addition, English learners and multilingual students can seek help from peer tutors in the Writing Center (https://gustavus.edu/writing center/).
Questions about these policies can be directed to Dean Julie Bartley (jbartley@gustavus.edu or x7541) or Dean Micah Maatman (mmaatman@gustavus.edu or x7541).
Faculty Title IX Responsibilities
Title IX is federal legislation that makes clear that violence and harassment based on sex or gender are civil rights violations. Gustavus Adolphus College takes incidents of sexual misconduct and sexual harassment seriously.
Sexual misconduct includes the following: non-consensual sexual contact, non-consensual sexual intercourse, sexual exploitation (taking non-consensual or abusive sexual advantage of another), intimate partner violence (physical, sexual, or psychological harm by a current or former partner or spouse), and stalking. (Please see the Student Sexual Misconduct Policy in the Gustavus Guide for more details and definitions or online at: https://gustavus.edu/dean of students/policies/gustative/sexual-assault.php#misconduct).
Sexual Harassment is any behavior of a sexual nature that is unwelcome, offensive or fails to respect the rights and dignity of another person whether of the same or opposite sex (please see the All-College Policy against Harassment and Sexual Harassment for examples and more details: https://gustavus.edu/faculty book/all college policies/#Anchor-Sexua-60443).
As a student who may choose to share information about an incident of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment with a Gustavus employee, you need to know that if Gustavus employees become aware of an incident of sexual harassment or sexual misconduct, they have to report information about these events to the appropriate college authorities. This requirement is to make sure the College can support and protect students.
So, if a faculty member becomes aware of an incident of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment, they must report what they know about this incident, including student names, to the Dean of Students Office within twenty-four hours.
The college will respect the confidentiality of the victim and alleged offender(s) as much as possible consistent with the College’s legal obligations. Students also always have a choice as to whether to participate in an investigation or not.
The only exception to this reporting responsibility for Gustavus employees is that conversations with SART/CADA, Chaplains, Counseling Center staff, and professional health care staff may be kept strictly confidential. SART/CADA can be reached 24 hours a day at 507-933-6868.
If you have any questions, contact the Title IX Coordinator (Julie Kline, Director of Human Resources, at 507-933-6075) or one of the deputy coordinators (https://gustavus.edu/titleix/titleix.php)
Assignments:
Mid-Term Individual Teacher Candidate Check in on Teacher Vocation & Identity
Final exam Reflective Narrative on Teacher Vocation & Identity
