FAQ: Fall 2020 Education Field Partners

Below is a quick reference guide based on frequently asked questions. It will be updated as more questions emerge. For questions or concerns, please email Paul Akoury (pakoury@bu.edu).

Questions about Field Placement

How can I engage my BU Wheelock student to support my classroom?

Whether hybrid, remote, or in-person, your BU Wheelock student will have a lot to offer. For example, they can support your capacity to:

Reach all children and families
Increase the social, emotional and academic supports that will be needed
Navigate in-person and remote environments simultaneously
Assess performance levels
Implement smaller group sizes
Support intervention or remediation

Does my BU Wheelock student need to teach in-person?

It depends. Every school or district will have unique needs and plans. To that end, flexibility, adaptability and collaboration will be our key approach.

Can my BU Wheelock student participate if my school is fully remote?

Yes. As long as the BU Wheelock student can plan, implement and assess instruction, remote formats will count toward required hours.

If I have my BU Wheelock student start in-person, what happens if my school needs to switch to remote?

We will adjust as circumstances change, as we did last spring.

Can I have my BU Wheelock student teach in-person and also remote?

Yes. You should work out a schedule in collaboration with your BU Wheelock student and the program supervisor.

What if I need my BU Wheelock student to teach remotely?

That will be fine. Per DESE guidelines, we can accommodate any delivery format as long as our students can increasingly engage in all seven essential elements of the CAP.

Note: Pre-practicum students are not assessed using the CAP but rather will have a performance-based assessment at the end of their placement to demonstrate their readiness to enter practicum (called a Gateway Assessment). The BU Wheelock program supervisor will provide more detail.

Will hours count for my BU Wheelock student even if their planning and instruction is remote?

Yes. All planning, implementation, assessment and other activities that benefit learners – whether hybrid, in-person, or remote – will count toward your BU Wheelock student’s required hours.

Do professional development activities count for student teaching hours?

Yes. Any activity that supports learners and involves the BU Wheelock student as part of the professional learning community counts.

Note: We strongly encourage and are asking all of our field partners to include their BU Wheelock student in any trainings that are being offered by the school or district, especially those relating to remote and hybrid instruction.

What if I need my BU Wheelock student to be in-person but they prefer to teach remotely?

The expectation is that your BU Wheelock student will be flexible and adapt to your school and district plans whether in-person, remote or hybrid.

Please contact the BU Wheelock program supervisor or the Professional Preparation Office with any concerns.

Questions about BU Safety Procedures

What steps is BU taking to ensure safety if my BU Wheelock student is in-person?

Safety and well-being of our students and the communities they serve are our first and foremost priority. BU Wheelock is implementing comprehensive COVID-19 Screening, Testing and Contact Tracing for all BU students, staff and faculty upon their return to campus.

In addition, we will be asking our field partners to share their safety policies and procedures with our students so they can fully comply. We are also requiring our students to be proactive and seek out the safety information and protocols from their sites using our Checkpoints to Cover with Your Field Site.

Should I share my school’s safety information if my BU Wheelock student is remote?

It is not necessary if they are fully remote, but in the event that your BU Wheelock student is asked to change delivery formats from remote to hybrid or in-person, they should be informed as soon as possible.