Intern Responsibilities

During the internship you should be able to:

• Demonstrate resourcefulness, thoroughness, and logic in planning.
• Demonstrate effectiveness in initiating and sustaining a productive learning environment in the gymnasium or classroom.
• Guide, facilitate, and assess student learning.
• Adapt instructional methods and content to meet students' individual differences in psychomotor, cognitive, and affective domains.

Professional/Ethical Expectations

As is the case in most other professions, there are certain inherent and assumed professional expectations. The physical education profession is no different. Not only are you a representative of the university, you are also a professional. You should view yourself as a "teacher in training" and assume appropriate professional behaviors. You will demonstrate professional and ethical conduct as well as function as a member of the site school staff. Professional conduct includes:

• Appropriate attire – You are expected to present a positive professional image. Attire for teaching physical education is to be appropriate to the activity or class.
• Attendance – You are required to put in the same teaching day as all teachers. You will be in the school during assigned beginning and ending times.
• Punctuality – You are to be on time to school or school related activities.
• Schedule – You will follow the schedule (including vacations) of the cooperating teacher, not the university. Attendance at faculty meetings, parent-teacher conferences, and professional development activities is expected. If you will be late or absent, contact appropriate personnel (e.g., cooperating teacher, administrator, university supervisor).
• Outside employment – It is highly recommended that you do not assume a job while interning. The internship is your job. You will likely have little time or energy to devote to a job. Additional employment may jeopardize your success.
• Taking courses – The internship is considered a full-time load at 12 credits. You should not take additional course work during the internship experience.
• After school programs – Experience in an after school extracurricular program, such as coaching an athletic team, is optional during the internship. Each student is encouraged to gain as much experience in after-school programs as is possible and reasonable, however the intern should carefully plan the extent of involvement and amount of responsibility taken in an after-school program.
• Unit/lesson planning - Complete and submit to appropriate personnel (e.g., cooperating teacher, administrator, university supervisor) unit and lesson plans for each unit taught.
• Prepare mentally for teaching
• Willingly accept and implement feedback provided by cooperating teacher and university supervisor.
• Critique each lesson and/or part of lesson taught.
• Complete assigned work samples.
  

Internship Schedule

The following is a checklist to guide your internship experience.  

Prior to Internship:

• Discuss with university student teaching coordinator internship opportunities and locations.
• Identify and examine schools in which the internship can occur.
• Sign internship contract and any relevant consent forms (for research purposes).
• Complete required state or university certifications (e.g., substitute teaching certification, finger prints for background check, etc.).
• After placement is finalized, make living arrangements.
• Read the university internship handbook.
• Submit all relevant paper work to the university and the school.
  

Prior to First Day:

• Arrange meeting with cooperating teacher to discuss:
• responsibilities
• curriculum
• units to be taught
• school policies including student attendance and tardiness
• teacher dress
• discipline procedures
• management activities
• general expectations
• schedule
• share your expectations
• Meet appropriate administrative personnel.
• Visit the school and learn your way around the building.
• Identify and submit to university supervisor the school teaching schedule.
• Begin preparing unit and lesson plans.
  

Early in Internship:

• Identify cooperating teachers' strategies to establish a learning environment.
• Make arrangements to observe/shadow students in other content areas.
• Assist cooperating teacher as needed.
• Read staff and/or student handbook(s).
• Know facilities and policies.
• Observe, participate, share teaching responsibilities, and learn student names.
• Observe other physical education teachers.
• Assume responsibility for teaching a part time load.
  

Throughout the Internship:

• Attend all relevant meetings.
• Attend professional meetings (e.g., state, district, or national AHPERD, in-service workshop, etc.).
• Attend other school functions  (e.g., open house, demonstration nights, etc.).
• Attend all relevant parent-teacher conferences with cooperating teacher.
• Meet formally with school principal or other administrator.
• Complete systematic observations on lessons taught.
• Complete self assessments as required by the university.
• Complete and submit unit and lesson plans.
• Meet with cooperating teacher and university supervisor the required number of times to discuss progress.
• Assume responsibility for teaching a full-time load.
• Work with students who have special needs.
• Complete and discuss the mid-internship assessment with your cooperating teacher.
  

End of Internship:

• Complete and submit evaluations of your cooperating teacher.
• Complete your internship portfolio.
• Make an appointment with your cooperating teacher and university supervisor to discuss your final evaluation.
• Complete the end of internship project.
• Ask your cooperating teachers and university supervisor if they would be willing to complete reference forms and letters for you.
• Send thank you notes to cooperating teacher and administrator.