PRAXIS, What is that?
- NAURESCOLLEGES
- Apr 20, 2020
- 2 min read
PRAXIS is our way to give dual cert (special education & elementary education) majors key experiences in schools to help our teacher candidates develop their interests.
One of NAU’s oldest partnership programs (dating from 1995)
Four-semester program that embeds special education carefully into each semester
Special education courses & Special education practicum fieldwork
Since a special ed certificate is Kindergarten - Grade 12, there's a LOT of options. If someone is interested in working with younger students, older students, or students with autism, for instance, we can set up practicum to provide experience in teacher candidates' interest areas.
Schedule:
Each semester, we have ESE classes
ESE – Special Education courses
ESE 308 – Practicum (every semester)
ESE 499 Reflection (every semester)
We also have ECI -Elementary Education courses
Teaching methods courses are in “blocks”
ECI 308 – Practicum (three semesters)
Practicum fieldwork Hours per semester:
break down of each semester and how many you should have at the end of the four semesters.
Locations:
Marshall Elementary, Title I, public school. Grades K-5
Knoles Elementary, Public school. grades K-5
Sinagua Middle School, Title I, Public school. grades 6-8
and one semester of high school!
(Flagstaff High School, Public school, Grades 9-12)
Coconino High School, Title I Public school, Grades 9-12)
What PRAXIS has to offer...
General education (inclusion) classrooms
Special Education Resource classrooms
Autism programs
Life Skills programs
Behavior Support programs
Working with younger or older students
Extensive teaching opportunities from our very first semester of practicum
All opportunities are at various schools and different grade levels for diverse experiences.
Here are some tips and advice from the PRAXIS Coordinator...
Tips:
My biggest tip for students is to choose their partnership with their longterm goals in mind. Don't let the hours of a part-time job interfere with choosing a partnership program that can provide the best career preparation. Think long-term, and always keep in mind that time in the classroom with actual students & teachers provides experience & insight that we can't duplicate in our NAU courses.
Advice: Jump in on that first day of practicum! Don't worry about not knowing what to do--get to know the teachers & kids. You can make a wonderful difference on your very first day of practicum! (And wear comfortable shoes!)
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