Mere satisfaction of course and testing requirements will not automatically make participants eligible for recommendation to the state for certification. All participants must demonstrate important human characteristics and dispositions that teachers of children and youth should possess. Participants will be screened throughout the program according to the criteria addressed in this Fitness to Teach Policy. If all criteria are not satisfactorily met, the participant may be terminated from the program. Additionally, the program may request that the Texas Education Agency, TEA, revoke, suspend, cancel, or otherwise render void the participant's probationary certificate. Without compliance with all requirements and successful completion of the internship, the program does not recommend participants for Texas teacher certification .
Fitness To Teach Criteria:
- Criminal History Review
In accordance with state law [TEC §22.083], an examination of each applicant's criminal history will be conducted prior to employment. Criminal history record information, which includes both conviction and arrest records is obtained. The ISD or other school entity may deny placement of a participant with a criminal background. The participant's clearance for fieldwork is the responsibility of the intern and the ISD or participating entity, not Brookhaven College .
- Scholastic Integrity
The participant must demonstrate honesty and integrity by being truthful about background, experiences, and qualifications; doing one's own work; giving credit for the ideas of others; and providing proper citation of source materials.
- Communication Skills
The participant must demonstrate sufficient written and oral skills to comprehend information and communicate ideas and feelings.
- Written : The participant writes clearly and uses correct grammar and spelling. The participant demonstrates sufficient skills in written English to understand content presented in the program and to successfully complete all written assignments and documentation.
- Oral : The participant communicates effectively with other participants, program and campus staff, professionals, and students. The participant expresses ideas and feelings clearly and demonstrates a willingness and an ability to listen to others. The participant demonstrates sufficient skills in spoken English to understand content presented in the program.
- Personal and Professional Requirements
- The participant must comply with the Texas Educator Code of Ethics [TAC §247.2] found on the TEA Web site.
- The participant must demonstrate interpersonal skills that are required for successful professional teaching. These skills include:
- openness to unfamiliar ways of teaching and varying or modifying instruction to promote student success;
- ability to accept and act upon reasonable criticism;
- enthusiasm for working collegially;
- ability to understand others' perspectives about teaching and to separate personal and professional issues;
- positive attitude toward program and campus staff, colleagues and students;
- disposition to act always for the benefit of all students.
- The participant must not sexually harass others; make verbal or physical threats; become involved in sexual relationships with students, supervisors, or staff; or engage in physical, emotional, verbal, or sexual abuse.
- The participant must attend all training sessions in accordance with program policy. Punctuality is expected at all times.
- The participant must demonstrate positive personal hygiene habits.
- The participant must comply with the campus dress code.
- The participant must demonstrate positive social skills in professional and social interactions with program and campus/district staff, colleagues, parents, and students.
- Cultural Attitudes and Behavior
- The participant must exhibit respect for superiors, peers, and students within and outside of the program.
- The participant should appreciate the value of diversity and look beyond self in interactions with others.
- The participant must exhibit respect for differences of race, ethnicity, religion, social class, national allegiance, and cultural heritage.
- The participant must not impose personal, religious, sexual, and/or cultural values on others.
- The participant must exhibit acceptance of, and provide accommodations for, exceptional learners.
- The participant must be able to speak in a manner appropriate to the context of the classroom.
- Physical Skills
The participant must exhibit motor and sensory abilities to attend and participate in training activities and teaching duties.
- Emotional and Mental Abilities
- Stress Management - The participant must demonstrate the ability to deal with current life stressors through the use of appropriate coping mechanisms. The participant must handle stress effectively by using appropriate self-care and developing supportive relationships with colleagues, peers, and others.
- Emotional and Mental Capabilities - The participant must use sound judgment and exhibit emotional stability in his/her scholastic and professional performance.
- Cognitive Dispositions
- The participant must think analytically about educational issues.
- The participant must be thoughtfully reflective about the practice of teaching.
- The participant must be flexible, open to new ideas, and willing and able to modify personal educational beliefs and practices.
- The participant must question and test assumptions about teaching and schooling.
