The internship is a nine month experience designed around school districts' calendars. Candidates participating in the internship must be hired as classroom teachers on a limited license, have documented permission from the State (limited license), and receive a teaching salary. During the internship, each candidate in MN TAPP will be assigned to a core team or Candidate Support Team (CST) consisting of a minimum of a school-based mentor, school administrator (principal, vice principal), the technology coordinator, and an advisor from MSU. The CST may also include content experts, course instructors, and anyone else deemed helpful to support the candidate or advance his or her knowledge, skills, and dispositions. Together, the CST ensures that the candidate receives daily support and supervision during the nine month internship.
Ongoing support is provided through a school-based mentor who observes frequently, provides specific feedback, and serves as a professional role model. The mentor also arranges for the candidate to visit other teachers' classrooms to observe instructional strategies, procedures related to discipline, or other areas of interest, and maintains and submits all records and forms required by MN TAPP.
Additionally, each candidate has a program supervisor from Minnesota State University assigned to him or her. The supervisor observes and meets frequently via video streaming with the candidate, the school-based mentor, and the school administrator to discuss the candidate's progress and any additional support that may be needed. Face to face interaction will occur when needed and requested.
