50-Hour Pre-professional Component: Foundations of Teaching and Learning

The full 50-Hour Pre-professional Component: Foundations of Teaching and Learning is required for all candidates entering the ASPIRE to Teach program.  The 50-Hour Component is made up of a series of five (5) courses, clinical classroom observations, and assignments described below:

5 hours require the candidates to participate in a mandatory orientation and follow-up activities.  The orientation is required for all candidates entering the ASPIRE to Teach at Rowan Program and the first part of the state-required 50-Hour Pre-Professional Component.

25 hours require candidates to complete 5 courses of instruction for the session topics listed below. The courses may require any of the following learning experiences: the reading of materials, participation in the instructional discussions, connecting and reflecting with the material to assess comprehension and understanding, viewing a short video, completing a quiz, or examining a model and then applying the content of the course to the candidate’s experiences or work in the classroom (part of the 10 planning hours documented in the clinical experience).   

20 hours require candidates to observe, reflect, and respond to classroom planning and teaching, which would be embedded within the 5 courses. These varied clinical experiences will include observing, planning, and delivering instruction with students across the P-12 grade levels. 

Transition Point 1

All students must complete the following SIX (6) elements to be successful in forward progression in the ASPIRE to Teach Two-Year program.

1. A portfolio submission
2. Completion of all 5 Courses in Pre-Professional Component
3. Completion of 20 hours clinical experience: ASPIRE Revised Clinical Documentation Form
4. Completion and passing of appropriate Praxis Core and Praxis II Exams
5. Earned CE
6. To move forward in the ASPIRE to Teach Program, candidates MUST obtain a full-time contracted P-12 teaching position in your content area.

ASPIRE to Teach Two-Year Program

All candidates are required to complete the 50-Hour Pre-Professional Component as they enter the ASPIRE to Teach at Rowan program. The Two-Year Program is made up of 450 course/clinical hours.

ASPIRE to TEACH Two-Year Program (Semesters 1-4): 450 hours

All candidates will complete 21 instructional courses consisting of the session topics listed below.  In each course, candidates will be asked to complete reading of materials, participation in the instructional module, and connecting and reflecting with the material to assess comprehension and understanding.  Often, courses will allot time to view a short video, complete a quiz, and/or examine models of teacher and student work and then apply the content of the module to your experiences or work in the classroom.

In each course, candidates are required to document 20 clinical hours (planning, teaching, assessing learners) using the Clinical Experiences Form

In each semester, candidates are required to participate in mandatory Professional Learning Community sessions, which are held on 1 or 2 specific Saturdays during the semester, from 8:30am to 1:30pm via Zoom. We are exploring hybrid capabilities for those who wish to be in person. Candidates are responsible for making themselves available for all seven (7) PLCs across the Two-Year Program. Candidates are expected to have identified coursework completed prior to their respective PLC meeting.

PLCs are organized into three segments:

• Whole Group Meeting: 2 hours
  In this meeting, candidates can expect to learn general skills and strategies relating to the module topic.
• Grade-Level Breakout Groups: 1.5 hours
  In this meeting, candidates can expect to learn strategies and tools specific to their grade level and special area, as it relates to the module topic.
• 1-on-1 ALI Meetings (by appointment*): 1.5 hours
  In these individualized meetings, candidates can expect to work with their ALI to address questions, issues, and concerns related to their module topic.
  *Students must schedule meetings with their ALI in advance by the Monday before the PLC Meeting.