September 2008

09.08.01
Subject - Seattle Symphony

As an alumnus, I fondly remember the Seattle Symphony concerts at CWU. I noticed in this year's Presidential Speaker Series (and last year's as well), the Seattle Symphony wasn't making a stop at CWU. Is there any chance they will be at CWU in the next year? I'd love to come back and watch a great performance and take a look at what's changed since I left!

Forwarded to - Judy Miller, Executive Secretary, Presidents Office

Response - We are not planning to bring the Seattle Symphony back to campus in the near future, but great performances we can provide! This year's Performing Arts and Presidential Speaker Series includes a September 18 performance of the Arctic Chamber Orchestra and several other exciting offerings outlined on the PAPSS Website.

09.08.02
Subject - Student Teaching and Pre-Autumn finish dates

Why do students doing student teaching and pre-autumn have different finish dates? Why do some students get to be done by Thanksgiving Break and others not until December? Some Students start the week of Aug 25th and still have to go until December, while other students begin a week later and still get to finish with the start of Thanksgiving break. It is understandable that schools have different start dates, but shouldn't each CWU student be required to complete the same amount of classroom time? If I'm planning to make income by subbing or seeking a job, I am a week behind my peers if they are let out a week (or more) earlier than me....not to mention they were able to work their summer job for a whole week longer than myself because of my early start date.

Forwarded to - C. Rexton Lynn, Director of Field Experiences and Interim Associate Dean, College of Education and Professional Studies

Response - The two are separate courses, though some students elect to complete them 'back-to-back,' as it were. All students who complete Pre-Autumn and proceed immediately into student teaching are expected to a full experience in Pre-Autumn, which officially ends the Friday prior to CWU beginning classes in the fall (on Wednesday, usually). In addition to the full Pre-Autumn experience (which is a minimum of 2 ½ weeks), a student must then complete a full quarter of student teaching. This would mean that students who complete Pre-Autumn begin with their districts, finish the Pre-Autumn experience on Sept. 19th (this year, for example) and then begin student teaching the following Wednesday, though some students and supervisors elect to begin student teaching on the Monday following so there is no break in continuity.

The beginning dates (for both Pre-Autumn and Student Teaching) may differ from district to district, but we attempt to find placements in districts that students identify as first or second choice areas. For Pre-Autumn, this means that some students will be in the classroom a shorter amount of time (Ellensburg begins the day after Labor Day, for example) and some longer (Cashmere typically begins around August 23rd). This additional time is required because of the district begin date--and is found at the request of the student, when possible. This means that students have additional time in the classroom to understand and meet the objectives of the course.

For Student Teaching, students must spend a minimum of 54 or 55 (depending on the number of academic calendar days at CWU) days of instructional time in the classroom. Some districts require that student teachers begin the fall placement at the beginning of the district school year, not at the beginning of CWU's academic year, and this becomes a condition of placement. Because all students are required to complete 54 or 55 days, this means that students who begin earlier will complete the requirements earlier. It also means that those students who complete Pre-Autumn and then Student Teaching (back to back) are perceived to be in the classroom 'longer' than those who are completing only student teaching--but, in actuality, the amount of days are the same.

In addition, some supervisors insist that students who are student teaching not begin the experience until the supervisor is under contract. Not all supervisors act as Pre-Autumn supervisors, and I can understand the supervisor wanting to be 'technically' under contract before having students in the building. Some supervisors who have Pre-Autumn contracts will allow student teachers to begin at the beginning of the year (based, again, on district requirements) if they (the supervisors) will be in schools supervising Pre-Autumn students.

The bottom line is that the Student Teaching experience is the same length for all students, but the beginning and end dates vary due to differences in district requirements/requests and on student requests for placement. We’d like for all students to have as much time as possible during field experiences, but do not require differing lengths of time in the classroom (to my knowledge). All supervisors have been alerted to the 54/55-day rule and abide by it, some beginning on different dates with some student teachers and on different dates with others.

Please contact me if you have additional questions.

09.08.03
Subject - Student Teaching and Pre-Autumn finish dates

Some students doing their student teaching started over a week later than other students (this is understandable as you indicated that it depends upon supervisors contracts and district start dates). The question still remains...why are these students finishing as soon as the start of Thanksgiving break while others who began over a week sooner are not finished until into December, when the only day off was Labor day. Could someone please respond to this question and also provide contact information for other questions.

Forwarded to - C. Rexton Lynn, Director of Field Experiences and Interim Associate Dean, College of Education and Professional Studies

Response - Students who student teach in fall quarter are expected to be in the classroom, as a student teacher, for the same number of days as the academic quarter in which they are enrolled in student teaching. For fall quarter, this is typically 54 or 55 days (depending on the particular fall quarter and the university academic calendar), with additional days required if a student is deemed as not making satisfactory progress. For Fall 2008, students are expected to be in the classroom in the capacity of student teacher for no fewer than 54 contracted teaching days. If a student is working with a supervisor who is requiring a longer stay, the student should contact the Director of Field Experiences, Dr. Rexton Lynn, directly.

09.08.04
Subject - CWU Mission Statement

I did a site search for "CWU Mission" that was unsuccessful. Could anyone advise me on where our CWU Mission Statement is, and how I should direct my accreditation team? Thank You!

Forwarded to - Judy Miller, Executive Secretary, Presidents Office

Response - He's right; I just tried to access the university's mission statement through the search engine without success. Several individual unit mission statements pop up, but not the university's. However, it is on the President's Website. We do need to place it in a more prominent location, or at least code something so it pops up in the search function.

09.08.05
Subject - Thinking of You Program at CWU

It would be great if CWU would adopt a Thinking of You program as EWU has. It's a wonderful way to let your student know that you are thinking of them and provide them with some treats when they need it most. I have ordered and sent many baskets for my son at EWU when he was ill or a little lonely and it definitely picked up his spirits.

Ordering a basket/bag is easy and covenient for parents and appreciated a great deal by the student. I now have a daughter going to CWU and would really love the opportunity to do be able to send her things with the ease of a phone call. I believe that this program would be a geat asset to CWU for many reasons. It would generate more jobs for students and put a million smiles on the recipients as well as the giver.

A win win situation!

Forwarded to - Steve Rittereiser, Asst. Vice President Business Auxiliaries & Public Safety

Response - Thank you for your suggestion. We will take a look at how we might be able to incorporate such a program.