Internship & Other Requirements

Internship Cycle

The internship year is one of the most rewarding experiences in an intern’s professional development as a teacher. It is a challenging experience, providing many opportunities to develop teaching skills. Everyone associated with the Teacher Alternative Preparation Program is committed to assisting the intern become an effective teacher. Throughout the internship year, candidates participate in training which has been carefully planned to provide a comprehensive overview of the teaching process and up-to-date information on effective teaching practices, classroom management and organization, and behavior management. The internship year provides classroom experience and on-the-job real-world support while continuing to sharpen the intern’s professional tools. Each session is very important to the development of skills and an understanding of students and the teaching process. It is also when interns begin to prepare to pass the TExES Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) test.

The Internship

The intern must work in the classroom on a probationary certificate as a teacher of record for a minimum of 10 months, or a full school year. Interns will remain on a probationary certificate until all requirements have been met. Program requirements must be met within three years or certification options will be exhausted. Candidates who have been on other temporary certificates, such as permits, may have less time. The teaching position must correspond to the certificate area being pursued. Once employed, the intern must abide by the policies and procedures established by the school district. If an intern voluntarily leaves their position of employment or is asked to leave by the school, he/she will no longer be allowed to participate in the program. Securing a position in another school district is not an option. Since interns are the teacher of record and have all the responsibilities of a first-year teacher, interns must abide by the Educators’ Code of Ethics. Interns are subject to being dismissed from the district and the program for a code violation. The Educators’ Code of Ethics can be accessed online, www.sbec.state.tx.us.