What is an SBTE?
Site Based Teacher Educator . . . this is the teacher with whom you will work while at your school.
How many days are we in school each week?
You are on an elementary school campus for four days a week, two days in methods courses and two days participating in a classroom. You are typically on UH campus on Friday mornings and have Friday afternoons off. Specific schedule information will be given at the Orientation on the first day of the semester.
How long do I have to stay at school?
On the days you have methods courses, you are in class from 8-11 a.m. and 12-3 p.m. On the days you are in your classroom, you will be expected to arrive on campus at the same time teachers are required to be there. You will be expected to stay on campus until teacher dismissal that afternoon.
What if I have to be absent?
QUEST 2 is a performance semester. Your work and context-based learning cannot easily be replicated, so you cannot be absent without much disruption to not only your schedule, but also that of your SBTE and his or her students. If you must miss, it is vital that you contact your SBTE, your instructors, or anyone else impacted by your absence and provide for them any lesson plans or materials you would have used in any lessons you would have taught. Advance notice of any absence is always preferable so everyone involved can make the necessary alternate plans. If you need to be absent, you must provide to your facilitator documentation for your absence in order to schedule a make-up day. Students who miss more than five times during QUEST 2 cannot successfully complete the semester.
Can I work during QUEST 2?
QUEST 2 is a very intensive, full-time semester. Not only are you taking 15 hours of coursework and participating two full days in classrooms, but you have a great deal of out-of-class preparation. Therefore, we do not recommend working.
My own kids go to a school in my neighborhood. Can I do QUEST 2 there?
Unfortunately, no. QUEST 2 is a very structured program in specific schools with which we have special relationships. You will have more choice in schools when you are student teaching in QUEST 3. If by chance you have family members who work or attend one of the QUEST 2 schools, you will be assigned to the other school in that cluster.
Will my classes fill if I don’t get registered in time?
No, your space in QUEST 2 classes is reserved if you have been accepted into QUEST 2. However, placement in clusters occurs on a “first come/first served” basis. You, therefore need to submit your application as soon as you meet all the admission requirements in order to assure you are assigned to a school located in a convenient proximity to your residence.
What is the dress code?
You need to dress professionally, but, of course, comfortably, since you will be working with children. Each district may have slightly different requirements that your facilitator will explain at the beginning of the semester. For the most part, use common sense . . . don’t show anything you know that kids shouldn’t see . . . tattoos, piercing, too much skin, objectionable words or pictures, etc.
I heard you can do QUEST 2 part time. How does this work?
Because of the participatory nature of QUEST 2, it is difficult to do QUEST 2 part time. However, if you must work part time and absolutely must go to school part time, you can petition to take QUEST 2 part time. Part-time students typically work out a plan where they take half of their classes each of two semesters.
What tests do I need to take? When do I need to pass them?
You need to pass both the PPR and Generalist representative sample tests before you can be admitted to QUEST 3. The specific deadline for application to QUEST 2 will be given in class and posted on this website. You will have all of the information you need to pass the PPR at the conclusion to QUEST 1, so you are encouraged to take that representative test even before you begin QUEST 2. You will learn the content for the Generalist test in QUEST 2, so mid to late in the semester is a good time to take this test. Don’t wait too long, though . . . the deadline to pass these exams for admission to QUEST 3 is firm! |
