Good evening,

 

The following message was just sent to student teachers.  We plan to have another update in the coming days.

 

Take care,

Dara

 

 

 

Good evening, Spring 2020 Student Teachers,

 

I promised you an update this evening, but I want to let you know that we are still in the process of determining next steps – both university-wide and in our teacher education programs.

 

We want to assure you that we are working hard to figure out how to help our teacher candidates to successfully complete their programs and graduate, AND of course to make sure that our candidates will be prepared for their profession. There are required student teaching competencies and state regulations that we are using to guide our conversations.

 

I have had a number of students ask questions about tracking hours.  You do not have to track your time/hours.  Do not worry about tracking your exact hours or about your approved absences or days that you have missed so far at this time – any absences should be reflected in your activity logs. 

 

Make sure you have completed your activity log from last week and your weekly reflection.  I have to imagine you must have a lot of interesting thoughts and experiences to reflect on.

Please know that we definitely understand that ‘not knowing’ can be anxiety producing.  I hope to have more information in the coming days to allay your anxiety, and I will continue to update you on a regular basis.  As always, if you have questions or concerns before the next update, please feel free to contact me at [log in to unmask] or Dean L’Esperance at [log in to unmask]. 

We appreciate your patience as we work through this very unique situation! 

 

Stay well –

Dara

 

 

 

Good evening, Spring 2020 Student Teachers,

James Madison University officials continue to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic. We are following guidance from the Governor of Virginia, the Virginia Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention related to public safety and university operations. Today, Governor Ralph Northam ordered all K-12 schools to close on Monday and remain closed for two weeks.

As indicated below, since school divisions are closed, please don’t fret.  I will be back in touch by the end of the day on Monday 3/16 to update you with more information.

For now stay healthy and enjoy some well-deserved rest and self-care this weekend.  Remember to continue to follow recommendations for social distancing and recommended health practices. 

If you have questions or concerns before the update on Monday, please feel free to contact me at [log in to unmask] or Dean L’Esperance at [log in to unmask]. 

Take care everyone!

Dara

 

 

 

Dear Spring 2020 Student Teachers,

 

It was wonderful seeing those of you in attendance at the ST Conference! You are participating in student teaching during what will one day become a very memorable time for all of us. 

 

The university has closely monitored the rapidly changing situation around COVID-19. As decisions are made to be proactive to reduce the potential spread of COVID-19, JMU leadership has understood the unique situation for student teachers who are placed in school divisions throughout the state of Virginia and who need as many hours as possible for program completion and licensure.

 

Therefore, no matter what decisions are made at JMU, student teachers WILL continue to student teach in their current school division by following decisions made by each individual school division in which you are placed. If school remains open, you should continue to go to school. If students are not coming into schools but teachers are going in for workdays, you should plan to continue to go to your placement.  If students are being taught remotely, you should try to participate in that opportunity – what a wonderful learning experience! If school divisions are closed at some point for teachers, don’t fret – it means you are not expected to teach during that time.  As always, if you are sick, you should not be going to school – follow the recommendations of your health professional.

 

The good news is that I believe that for most of you we will have enough hours for program completion and licensure! Which means you will be able to graduate on time.  We will review the situation for each of our student teachers to make sure you can be successful.  If we have any concerns about your need to extend time, we will work with students on a case by case basis.

 

This is a time when we remember how remarkable teachers are in their flexibility and resiliency!  Keep doing the excellent work that you are doing!

 

Please feel free to contact me as questions and concerns arise!

 

Best,

Dara

 

Dara Hall, Ph.D.

Executive Director of Teacher Education and Student Success

Education Support Center, Memorial Hall 7230/40

JMU College of Education

540-568-2996