Field Experience

about

About Field Experience 

At the University of Findlay, education candidates engage in meaningful field experiences beginning in their first year and continuing throughout the program. These experiences, offered in partnership with schools across the region, allow candidates to build skills, explore the profession, and connect theory to practice. 

overview

Field Experience by Year

Year 1 

Candidates begin with hands-on experience through the Findlay–Van Buren tutoring and reading program, working directly with students in a partner school. 

Year 2 

During the Pre-Professional block, candidates spend the first eight weeks on campus, followed by a half-day six-week field placement. During this experience, candidates plan, teach, and reflect on classroom lessons while continuing to develop their understanding of instructional practice. The semester concludes with guided reflection on their classroom experiences. 

Year 3 

In the Methods block, candidates complete eight weeks of on-campus coursework followed by a full-day six-week placement in schools. During this experience, candidates follow the cooperating teacher’s schedule and participate in all aspects of the school day, including instruction, planning, and professional responsibilities. The semester concludes with structured reflection on their classroom experiences.  

Year 4 

The program culminates in a full-semester student teaching experience, where candidates take on the role of a classroom teacher. Fully immersed in the day-to-day responsibilities of teaching, they plan, instruct, assess, and collaborate with school professionals graduating ready to lead their own classrooms with confidence.