University graduate and undergraduate students interested in working with young children and their families are encouraged to join the Co-Teach teaching team. Students may earn practicum credit from a variety of disciplines, participate as a UM student employee, or volunteer.
Practicum
Co-Teach Preschool offers supervised research field experience for students from the Clinical Psychology Program and School Psychology Program. UM students from other disciplines such as: Education, Special Education, Human and Family Development, Social Work, Counseling, Nursing, and Physical Therapy may also apply to participate in Co-Teach practicum experiences.
Employment
Co-Teach Preschool hires both work study and non-work study students. Co-Teach hires positive, enthusiastic, child-friendly team members to help maintain a safe preschool environment and assist in daily classroom activities. Under supervision of certified teachers, student employees learn and implement positive behavior management strategies, assess student progress, and assist in data collection.
The goal for UM students participating at Co-Teach is to gain practical knowledge and skills in early childhood special education, as well as in the model components of the Co-Teach Program. The basic components of the Co-Teach model are: school safety; inclusion; family and school partnerships; individualized child referral, assessment, program planning and implementation (individualized education programs or IEPs); data collection and accountability; individual child strengths and needs; trans-disciplinary teaming; program evaluation; disability awareness; early literacy and language skills; kindergarten transition; integrated staff and family training; social skill development; positive behavioral supports and instructional techniques; and strategies to reduce, prevent, and intervene with students engaged in challenging behavior. These components work together to form an effective model for teaching children and preparing them to successfully make the transition to the least restrictive educational kindergarten setting.
For more information regarding
practicum placement, please contact:
Stacia Jepson, instructor, 243-4280.
If you are interested in an
employment or
volunteer opportunities please contact
Mary Finnegan, Co-Teach Preschool Manager, at (406) 243-6303.
Please note that practicum and employment opportunities at Co-Teach are selective and based on programmatic and preschool student needs. Not every University student who applies to the program is chosen to participate. University students participating in the program must be available to attend weekly seminar each Tuesday at 3:10 – 4:00 PM or 4:10 - 5:00 PM depending on the semester, in the Co-Teach classroom, McGill Hall 015.
Students who are interested in participating as part of the Co-Teach teaching team must complete and submit the following application to Mary Finnegan.
Co-Teach Program –
Application (Word Doc)