Professional Year Application and Conference

Are you ready for professional year?  Professional year includes EDUC 430 in the fall through clinical practice/student teaching in the spring.  This page will walk you through the steps to apply for professional year/clinical practice. 

Topics Covered in this Module:

• Video Overview
• North Carolina Public Schools Health Certificate Form
• Professional Year Application
• Personal Statement
• Meet with your Education Advisor
• Conference with the Field Placement Coordinator
• Registration for EDUC 430 & 43X
• Background Checks
• AmeriCorps

Video Overview:

North Carolina Public Schools Health Certificate Form

You will need to visit campus health or your regular health care provider to complete this form.  A new TB test is required. You do not have to have this form completed to meet with your education advisor and Rebecca Bodenheimer. The completed form is due when you return to campus in August.   

Professional Year Application

You must download your own copy of the application to your Google Drive.  Please rename the document with your first and last name. Share that downloaded application, including editing rights, with your Education Advisor and Rebecca Bodenheimer  rbodenhe@unca.edu.

This professional year application must be completed BEFORE you meet with your Education Advisor during UNCA’s spring advising period.    

Personal Statement

 In a separate Google Doc, write a personal statement that includes a brief description of yourself including: strengths as a future teacher, reasons for choosing the profession, and a list of leadership positions you have held. Imagine this as your presentation to a future employer. This separate document will be read by teachers and principals when your placement request is made to the school.  Share the personal statement document, including editing rights, with your Education Advisor and Rebecca Bodenheimer rbodenhe@unca.edu 

This personal statement must be completed BEFORE you meet with your Education Advisor during UNCA’s spring advising period.   Your Education Advisor will review the statement and suggest edits.

Meet with your Education Advisor:

Schedule a meeting with your Education Advisor during the UNCA’s spring advising period.  Have your application and completed personal statement ready and shared (with editing rights).  Your advisor will verify: your program and licensure status, eligibility for professional year, proofread your personal statement and digitally sign the application.  

Meet with the Field Placement Coordinator:

Teacher Candidates will schedule an Professional Year Conference via SignUpGenius:  Rebecca Bodenheimer will be meeting with students during spring advising/registration.  The deadline for meeting to secure a professional year field placement is typically the 1st week in April.  Before this meeting, you must have fully completed all steps above: application, personal statement, advisor meeting, and appointment made with health care provider.   

START EARLY!  I am excited to meet with each of you to discuss your plans and preferences for your professional year/ clinical practice.  Let me know if you have any questions.  If you are not sure if you are ready for professional year/clinical practice during the upcoming semester, check your eligibility and program status with your Education Advisor.  

Registration for EDUC 430 & 43X:

You will NOT be able to register for the 430 and 43x courses without the group override.  Go ahead and register for all of your other classes.  Late April, the 430/43x group override will be given via Dr. Kim Brown. She will notify you via email when you are able to register.  There is not a way for these to fill up so there is no need to worry.   Everyone who needs a 430/43X spot will be able to register after the group override.  Your education advisor should not make this override.  

Background Checks

Background Checks are conducted yearly for students enrolled in EDUC courses. For background check concerns, contact Rebecca Bodenheimer for an appointment rbodenhe@unca.edu. 

Some school districts require you to complete an additional background check for their school district specifically for professional year/clinical practice. I will notify you if this is the case and provide instructions for completion. There is no additional cost for school district background checks. School district background checks do not replace the UNCA background check requirement.

AmeriCorps:

$1956.35 Segal Education Award for Participation (Spring 2025)

This is an OPTIONAL opportunity to be a part of a national community service program during your time student teaching through UNCA. Project POWER is an AmeriCorps program through Children First Communities in schools of Buncombe county. The belief behind this program is that students, schools and communities will thrive when provided resources and support. Our goal is through our work we improve attendance, engagement and increase high-school graduation rates and expand college enrollment. UNCA Students who will student teach in Asheville City, Buncombe, Madison or Henderson Counties might be eligible to receive an education award through this three-month commitment that can be completed during your time student teaching. If you are interested, talk with Rebecca Bodenheimer about it during your meeting or the AmeriCorps contact Ashley Campbell ashleyc@childrenfirstbc.org for whom you will submit the application.

Partner School Districts

All field placements for professional year/clinical practice must be made within our USTEC partner school districts for which we have an MOU. This is a benefit for students because you will have a university supervisor who is accessible for support during student teaching.

USTEC partner school districts include

• Asheville City Schools
• Buncombe County Schools
• Madison County Schools
• McDowell County Schools
• Transylvania County Schools
• ArtSpace Charter
• Evergreen Charter
• Francine Delany New School Charter