Field Experience

 

Participation in field experience with Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) is an important component of all teacher education transfer programs at Montgomery College. Students earn credit towards the Associate of Arts in Teaching (ATT) degree while observing in an assigned MCPS classroom.  Mentored by a master teacher, participants get hands-on experience working with small groups of students and tutoring, in preparation towards becoming a future teacher. The field experience presents authentic learning opportunities where students observes research based best practices. 

As a participant in the field experience program, students observe for 30 hours (3-4 hours per week) for an optimum length of 10 weeks.  Students use observation as a tool for learning and then write reflective papers on assigned topics.   In addition to the MCPS school experience, students will attend three (3) on-campus seminars and a host school orientation during the semester.  Students are assigned to an MCPS school site in the region located nearest the campus at which they register for the coursework.   

IMPORTANT: Completion of fingerprinting for state and federal level background checks, Child Protective Services screening, and specific MCPS online trainings are mandatory for participation in any course requiring experiences in MCPS.   Two dates have been established for Spring 2023 for on-campus fingerprinting and support in completing the remaining requirements: 

• Thursday, January 19, 2023,  noon to 5:00 p.m. (Primary Date)
• Saturday, February 4, 2023, 9:00 a.m. to noon (Makeup Date)

On the orientation date, students will report to the Rockville Campus, Student Services Building Room 417, to complete all of the items above.  All students registered for EDUC 102 and/or EDUC 202 will be sent full details about the process via Montgomery College email—be sure to read and respond as requested.

If you still have questions, please email them to one of the contacts below. We look forward to working with you.   

Field Experience Compliance Coordinator  
Prof. Debra Poese
debra.poese@montgomerycollege.edu 

Field Experience Placement Coordinator 
Prof. Lori Spinelli-Samara
lori.spinelli-samara@montgomerycollege.edu