Office of Field Experience

Dr. Debora Bays Wilbon
Associate Dean
Director of Field Experience
Peters A114
dbays@radford.edu
(540) 831-6311
 

Dr. Kelly Robinson
Coordinator of Field Experience
Peters A113
krobinson2@radford.edu
(540) 831-5277
 

Ms. Libby Hall
Licensure Manager
Peters A111
lhall@radford.edu
(540) 831-5424
 

At Radford University, teacher preparation is about building professional learning communities of life-longer learners.
If you think you want to be a teacher, it is never too early to start building your professional community!
Here’s how to build your teacher education community and earn your Virginia teaching licensure with the Radford University Teacher Education Program.
 

Are you in the right major?

You may be wondering . . . how do I declare or change my major and set my concentration.  Those are excellent questions!

First, let’s make sure you know which major to declare.  The majors listed in the Choose Your Major document linked below are Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) approved teacher preparation programs.  Use the Choose Your Major chart to pick the grade or subject you want to teach then make sure you are declaring the correct major to meet Virginia teacher licensure requirements. 

Choose Your Major reference chart [PDF]
 

Take the Virginia Communication & Literacy Assessment (VCLA)

To earn your initial teaching license in Virginia, you have to meet several testing requirements. You can learn more about the testing requirements for your teaching license and TEP admission here.
For now, you just need to take the VCLA. We’ll share other testing requirements later.
Learn more about the VCLA.
It is important you take the VCLA during your first or second semester as a Radford University student.
 

Join the Radford University Teacher Education Community (RTEC)

After you take the VCLA, submit your Pre-Teacher Education Program (TEP) application. Ideally, you will submit your Pre-TEP application during your third semester at Radford University. Deadlines for the Pre-TEP application are October 1 (if your third semester is a fall semester) or March 1 (if your third semester is a spring semester).

Once you submit your Pre-TEP application, you’ll get to know the Office of Field Experience (OFEX) staff very well. They will guide you through the next steps of the Teacher Education Program and licensure requirements.
 

Get some early experience working with youth

Let’s make sure you enjoy working with youth in a structured environment before you start teaching!  Find out more about how you can meet the 50 hours of pre-field experience requirement for your TEP application here.

Attend a mandatory TEP Informational Meeting

Attend one TEP Informational Meeting one year before you plan to begin your field experience. Field experience schedules vary by program. Meet with your advisor to determine the semester you will start your field experience.
Check out the Informational Meeting schedules under the Important Events & Information below.
Not sure which meeting to attend? Talk to your advisor!
 

Take the Praxis II (for licensure areas that require it)

Learn more about Praxis II. You should set a goal to have the Praxis exam for your endorsement area passed before the beginning of the second semester as a Junior or by the end of the semester before you apply to the TEP.
You can learn more about the testing requirements and determine the correct Praxis II exam for your teaching endorsement here.
 

Submit your application to start the process toward full admission to the TEP

Submit your application to begin field experience (FEX) and start the process toward full admission to the Teacher Education Program (TEP). Are you wondering when you will apply to the TEP?

You will start the TEP application process the semester before your field experience starts. See the handy chart below to determine when you will submit your TEP application. Not sure when you will start field experience? Check in with your advisor!

Field Experience startsAttend an Informational MeetingApply by
FallFall before FEX3rd Monday in February
SpringSpring before FEX3rd Monday in September

IMPORTANT EVENTS & INFORMATION

Informational MeetingsVCLA PreparationApplying to the Teacher Education Program
These meetings are for undergraduate, graduate, and transfer students interested in applying to the Teacher Education Program to earn Teacher Candidate status and begin field placement.  Attend one meeting a year before you will apply to the Teacher Education Program.

The Virginia Communication & Literacy Assessment (VCLA) is required for all students seeking initial teacher licensure in Virginia.  

Preparing for the exam is important. Here are a few resources you may find helpful.

The Radford University Teacher Education Program (TEP) uses Tk20 as the application and assessment platform for students entering and completing the TEP.  You will create an account in Tk20 when you submit your first TEP application.  You will continue working in Tk20 for other TEP application requirements and as a Teacher Candidate during your field experience.

Attend a TEP Gateway Info Meeting if you are in  . . .

  • Early Childhood Special Education
  • Elementary Education
  • Deaf & Hard of Hearing Education
  • Middle Education
  • All Secondary education content areas
  • Special Education (before 23-24)

Attend a TEP Gateway Info Meeting

Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment website 

Pre-TEP application instructions

{see information below}

Attend a Gateways to TEP Info Meeting if you are in...

  • Elementary Inclusive Education
  • Special Education (23-24 or after)

Spring 2024 Schedule for Transfer Students

Writing Help

VCLA Writing Resources

Writing critiques from NetTutor

TEP Application Instructions

{see information below}

PRE-TEP application instructions

Join the Radford Teacher Education Community! Freshmen, Sophomores, and Transfer students should submit the PRE-TEP after they have taken the VCLA.  Deadlines are October 1 and March 1.

To create your Tk20 account

Go to radford.tk20.com

Click Admissions at the bottom of the dialog box

Click “Click here to create your account”

Enter your basic information to create your account.  Do NOT use your RU credentials.  Use the email address you check most often to open your Tk20 account (even if it is not your RU email). 

Click “Create Account”

Record the username provided on the confirmation screen. 

 

To begin your Pre-TEP application

Go to radford.tk20.com

Enter your username and password, click “Submit”

your username was provided when you created your account, use the password you entered when you created your Tk20 account

Click the green “Create New Application” button

In the “Application Type” pull down menu select “Pre-Teacher Education Program Application”

Follow the application instructions to complete the Pre-TEP application

TEP application instructions

Earn your Teacher Candidate status to begin your field experience! Applicants must complete all items on the TEP Application Checklist that was provided at an Informational Meeting.

To create your Tk20 account

Go to radford.tk20.com

Click Admissions at the bottom of the dialog box

Click “Click here to create your account”

Enter your basic information to create your account.  Do NOT use your RU credentials.  Use the email address you check most often to open your Tk20 account (even if it is not your RU email). 

Click “Create Account”

Record the username provided on the confirmation screen. 

 

To begin your TEP application for Teacher Candidate Status

Go to radford.tk20.com

Enter your username and password, click “Submit”

your username was provided when you created your account, use the password you entered when you created your Tk20 account

Click the green “Create New Application” button

In the “Application Type” pull down menu select choose the name of your program area (i.e., Art Education, Dance Education, Deaf & Hard of Hearing Education, Elementary Education, Early Childhood Special Education, Middle School Education, Secondary English/Math/Science/Social Studies Education, Music Education, Physical and Health Education, or Special Education)

Follow the application instructions

Answer all questions and upload requested documents as PDFs. 

 

How to convert documents to PDF

To convert a text file to PDF: Under the “File” menu, select “Save as,” then for “File Format” select “PDF.” 

If a document is on paper, scan it to save as a PDF.