Appendix A

Maine College of Art & Design
Department of Art Education
Professional Code of Conduct

Candidate Name (Please Print):

Introduction
The Maine College of Art & Design teacher candidates are representatives of the college when they are engaged in fieldwork and student teaching internships. During their fieldwork and student teaching internships, the art education candidates apply the knowledge, skills and dispositions that have been acquired during coursework. There are numerous responsibilities that candidates assume as they begin internships. The student teaching experience serves as the basis for Maine College of Art & Design’s recommendation of candidates for teacher certification to the Maine Department of Education. Carefully read the following guidelines, sign the agreement, and return it to the Director of Art Ed Outreach.

Professional Conduct
A great deal of time and effort has been made to develop relationships between MECA&D’s MAT Program and various school districts. When candidates are visiting schools they should remember that they are representatives of MECA&D’s Art Education program, and the impressions they make will impact the reputation of MECA&D and their own future. Accordingly, candidates should conduct themselves in a professional manner.

Attendance
Over the course of each Internship placement, it is assumed that candidates will take on complete teaching responsibilities. This means that candidates will organize their time, just as a full-time paid teacher would, to be sure that lessons meet curriculum standards and requirements and are adequately planned and taught within each school day and week. The MECA&D requirement for candidates is that they keep the same hours as those expected of their Mentor Teachers.

Additional time may be required to cover the amount of planning and preparation needed to assume teaching responsibilities. Candidates should be available for attendance at faculty meetings, parent conferences, and other school-related activities. Attendance and punctuality at seminars and field placement sites are essential. Absences should be for major illness or family emergencies only. A return to the placement requires a note from the physician.

Professional conduct for the teacher candidates in MECA&D’s MAT Program is essential.

All teacher candidates must:

Maintain personal appearance and dress, equivalent to the standards and expectations for employed teachers at the assigned school site
Cooperate and communicate professionally with colleagues, staff, parents and students
Maintain confidentiality regarding students, mentor teachers conversations
Demonstrate that s/he understands and can assume the responsibilities required of a full-time teacher
Contact the mentor teacher ahead of time, as well as inform the Director of Art Ed Outreach, if candidate is absent or anticipates being late to a school site
Adhere to all school site policies
Contact the Director of Art Ed Outreach of and work out a schedule of site visits for each internship
Prepare and present lessons plans to mentor teacher and MECA&D Outreach Coordinator prior to teaching in the classroom. All lessons must meet the requirements of mentor teacher and host school
Treat all students appropriately without regard to race, creed, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and socio-economic status
Adhere to the ethical and legal policies for fair use of educational resources and technology materials
Know and apply the professional conduct laws of the state, local district, and school as well as those described in this handbook
Demonstrate strategies for developing partnerships with parents and guardians to support student learning and academic achievement
Communicate effectively with parents and community about the art program
Use community resources to promote student learning in art
Seek and accept constructive professional criticism

Respond promptly (within 24 hours) to digital calendar invites and communications from faculty, mentors, and college staff.

The following constitute grounds for withdrawal or termination of a candidate from MECA&D’s MAT Program:

False reporting of attendance and activities at the school site
Plagiarism in required written assignments
Inappropriate comments or photographs on social network websites
Use of profanity or demeaning language with colleague, staff, students, or parents at the assigned school site or on MECA&D’s campus
Sexual harassment or misconduct at the assigned school site
Conduct at the assigned school site that would warrant suspension or termination of an employee by the school district where the candidate is placed
Request by the school site administration/mentor teacher to terminate the candidate’s internship assignment, prior to the scheduled end of the placement
Exceeding the allowed number of absences for internship or seminar

I have reviewed this Professional Code of Conduct. I understand and agree to abide by the terms, conditions, and policies set forth above, related to Student Teaching Internship and fieldwork.

Signature:

Date:

Appendix A

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