Updates for 2022-2023 Student Teachers
- Students will be notified in advance for the district where a placement will be requested for them. Request letters will not be sent out until all clearances are posted in Livetext.
- As there are no guarantees that a teacher can be found in a district, students must be prepared to transfer their prints multiple times. However, we will make every effort to keep the number of transfers to a minimum.
- It is now mandated that the student teachers show proof that they are fully vaccinated (as of 2022, means that it includes booster shot).
- It is essential that you obtain a Substitute Certification. If you need financial assistance to pay for exams and certifications, you can apply for one of the School of Education Scholarships. Inquire of details from the Director of the STEP Office.
1. I don’t have a LiveText Account! How do I get one?
2. How do I Transfer my Prints to a District?
This is a picture of the correct document to download and save as a pdf document. Please attach a copy in LiveText.
3. How do I load my documents into LiveText?
Click here to view the LiveText Instructional Video
Click here to view the entire Livetext Guides and Video Library
Remember, that the office may not be able to see the documents that you see. Common errors include:
- Forgetting to name your blank portfolio. If you do not see your name, TCNJ ID document submission in the top left hand corner page in red (where it may read documentation), Then your document is not visible to the STEP Office. To correct the error, click on Document Properties (middle of page to the right), and name your document per the instructions, and click on save. When you see your name, TCNJ ID and Document Submission in the top left corner in red, then you did this correctly. This is the number one error.
- Students forgetting to share the document with editor access to STEPLIVETEXT. Once it’s shared, it will indicate that you successfully shared this information with the office.
- Students make multiple portfolio’s, but you only need one. Condense all documents into one portfolio.
- Students do not name their documents properly (i.e. last name_first name, TB test).
- Documents loaded are not pdf and can not be viewed. Please make sure to print or save as a pdf and none pdf extensions including (pneg, png, docx, jpeg, gif, heic)
- Files were placed in File Manager, instead of LiveText Docs and are not viewable by the office.
4. I do not have a placement yet. May I call districts to inquire about them hosting me?
5. How will I be notified that my Criminal History report is ready?
You will be able to download and save the document as a pdf. Please attach a copy in LiveText.
6. Will I have to be fully vaccinated to complete CPII?
We are not sure how this will impact your ability to enter schools. Districts are still crafting their policies and there is a possibility that you will not be able to complete your requirements because you will not be able to attend practicum.
Students should refer to the official TCNJ Policy for details concerning the COVID Vaccination Requirement: COVID-19 STUDENT VACCINATION SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
7. How do I apply for student teaching?
There are two student teaching applications that students must complete:
- The STEP Online Application: (refer to FAQ#8 for issues submitting application) This is the database from which the placement letter is generated. Students will be able to apply for a placement for multiple semesters, and Global Student Teaching in the STEP system. Note: Students will be able to make changes in their profile, however, they will not be able to make any changes to the semester or residency location during student teaching once the application is submitted. There is no need to apply multiple times, if you make a mistake, email step@tcnj.edu with the details and we will make the corrections for you.
- The Qualtrics Application: This application was created to collect more information that is accurate from students. It was also created as a more efficient way for Program Coordinators to approve student teaching applications. There will be separate links for each semester of student teaching. Please be sure to carefully complete the application for the correct semester. The link to this application will be updated every year. Please do not complete more than one application. If you make a mistake, email step@tcnj.edu with the details and we will make the corrections for you.
- Spring 2023 Student Teaching Checklist
- Link to the Spring 2023 Qualtrics Application
- Fall 2022 Student Teaching Checklist
- Link to the Fall 2022 Qualtrics Application
Applications are always being accepted. However, applications that are received after priority deadlines can result in a late placement. Students beginning placements later than the start of the school semester, may also have to extend their time in the district.
You should submit your online application and documentation (Resume, Transcript, TB results, Fingerprinting and Criminal Background Check, sub cert) in LiveText at the same time that you complete the Qualtrics Form.
If you still have questions after reviewing the PowerPoint, handout and these FAQs, you can send an email to the STEP Office
8. Why can I not submit the STEP application?
Applying in the STEP database will not trigger the placement officer to find you a placement. Applying in the Qualtrics Application will trigger the office that you are in need of a placement in a particular semester. You will be able to provide more accurate information in the Qualtrics Survey (Forms for Students or in FAQ#7). When attempting to place you, we work from the information listed in this application and your resume. Use your official TCNJ email address on your resume and not your personal email for this process.
9. My residency during student teaching changed, what do I do?
10. I have special circumstances that need to be considered.
11. My GPA is under 3.00. Can I still student teach?
12. I need a Universal Fingerprint Form and don’t know where to find that form. Can you help me?
13. I thought we would be placed 35 miles from our home address, not 35 miles from TCNJ?
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14. Who do I talk to for questions concerning student teaching and certification?
1. If this is a question about your substitute certificate, fingerprinting or criminal background, visit their website or contact the Certification Office for clarity at certification@tcnj.edu
2. Questions about the student teaching process, requirements, or questions on student teaching timeline or placement for Clinical Practice II (full time student teaching) questions, view this website, the handbook, or send an email to STEP@tcnj.edu .
3. If your question concerns stipend payments to cooperating teachers, contact the main office at 609-771-2408, STEP@tcnj.edu or Ms. Carla Woodward at Varlese@tcnj.edu.
4. Questions on the academic component of your practicum experiences and practices should be directed to your STEP Program Coordinators
Please note: due to FERPA’s confidentiality regulations, college administrators are not allowed to speak with parents about student matters if the student is over 18 years of age.
15. Why haven’t I heard anything about my placement?
Additionally, most boards of education only meet once a month. Therefore, once a school accepts your placement, it may take several more weeks for board approval. Some districts will not put you up for approval with out all documentation. If you miss the deadline, you are likely to have to wait a month for that approval.
To follow the districts where the placement officer is sending you, go into the STEP database and under my applications you will see where you are pending. It will read pending until you are placed. If we are unable to send you to the first district, we will make a note and continue to forward a request to other districts. We have a 100% placement rate.
16. Will I be able to work in a variety of diverse settings?
17. How often do I need to get a TB test?
18. How do I apply for a Substitute Certificate?
19. What does it mean that I was rejected by a district?
20. I was told that I have an approved placement, but the status still says pending. What should I do?
21. Where do I send my Praxis Results?
22. I was notified that I have a placement. What are my next steps?
DO NOT wait until the last minute to do your part, as it may significantly delay your start date. If you start your placement late, you may be required to extend it to make up for the missed time. If your placement starts significantly late because you failed to submit the proper paperwork, you may need to withdraw from Clinical II and complete it the next semester. It is important that you take the initiative to do your part without expecting the office to send you reminder emails. Meeting deadlines and responding promptly to emails is an important part of your professional responsibilities during Clinical II and in your career.
Some things to remember and consider once a placement is found
- Read the email thoroughly, sometimes twice to make sure you understand your next steps. If additional forms or an interview is requested, you may need to contact the district, or the district rep will reach out to you. Be prepared to answer your phone and check your email on a regular basis. Refer to the FAQ page for directions to transfer your fingerprints, or the Certification Office website to obtain a sub cert, which ideally should be obtained at the beginning of your Clinical I course.
- TB tests should be no older than 1 year old from the starting month of Clinical II. Check the dates of the TB test that you posted in Livetext and post an updated version if needed.
- Certain districts require a TB no older than 6 months from the start of your placement. Again, check dates and respond accordingly.
- District Board meetings are usually once a month. Completed paperwork is usually due 2-3 weeks in advance of the meeting to get you on the agenda. If you miss the deadline for a board meeting, it could delay your start date for a month.
- Contact your cooperating teacher regarding your start date, and to arrange a visit to the school prior to your first day. Some TCNJ academic programs start the semester with a few days of orientation on campus before Clinical II students begin their placements. Please be sure to clearly communicate with your cooperating teacher when you will begin. For fall placements, remember that teachers are on summer vacation and may not be checking their email regularly. Principals, however, work 12 months. If you don’t get an answer from your cooperating teacher, check to make sure you have the correct email address and email them again. If you do not receive a reply to your second email, follow up with a call, and/or contact the principal and copy our office email (step@tcnj.edu).
- Refer to our website for information to make sure you are up to date with any changes: FAQ’s, Overview of Placement Process, and Forms for Students. Refer your teachers to the site for information as well.
- Remind your teachers that they have to complete 1) a stipend form to be paid in the same semester of service, and 2) a midterm and/or a final performance evaluation through Livetext. Sometimes the teacher forgets, or they do not receive our emails. Please remind them that any information they need will be posted on our website.
23. If I do my CPII placement in PA, will my clearances transfer? Will I be certified as a teacher in PA?
You will not receive a teaching certification at the end of your placement. Your certification will still be through the state of NJ. Visit other state’s Department of Education to learn of their teaching requirements.
24. Who is my Clinical Practice II Program Coordinator?
25. Can I get paid to substitute teach during my CPII semester?
The full policy is included below. Students in Clinical II should consider registering to substitute teach in the district where you will be placed .
Substitute Policy
Students who have a NJ Substitute Teacher Certification may be asked by their placement district to substitute during their Clinical II semester. Students may serve as substitute teachers in their assigned classroom school if they have the permission of their field supervisor and cooperating teacher. Students may only substitute in their assigned classroom and must notify their supervisor each day that they are serving as a substitute. They may not substitute more than eight school days during the semester. The student should be compensated by the district at the regular district pay rate for substitutes. Field supervisors and cooperating teachers may rescind their approval to substitute at any time if they feel it is interfering with the student’s professional growth or negatively impact the overall experience.