Centers and Clusters
Students admitted into EDTE credential programs are divided into smaller units called “centers” (Multiple Subject) or “clusters” (Single Subject).
A group or cohort of students begin their credential program in a specific center or cluster and progress through the program together within that center or cluster. Each center or cluster focuses on developing a sense of community. Within that community, support is provided for individual students' development.
The exceptions to the “center” or “cluster” model occur in the Single Subject Blended programs. Working closely with a faculty/subject matter advisor, students in these programs progress on an individual basis.
Who's Who in Centers & Clusters?
Each center or cluster has a Faculty Coordinator who is responsible for overseeing the center or cluster operation including placement of pre-service teachers in the schools. The coordinator is the key person to help orient candidates to the center and to consult with university faculty and site personnel regarding any issues in that center.
Several centers or clusters have a Center Liaison who oversees field experiences in the classrooms. The liaison provides support for preservice teachers and collaborating teachers at individual school sites, facilitates site-level meetings and conducts check-in visits. The liaison also provides in-depth supervision and support as problems arise or when requested by the preservice teacher, collaborating teacher and/or site administrator.
Preservice teachers include any candidate formally admitted to the credential program and assigned to a center or cluster.
Cooperating Teachers are the school site teachers in whose classrooms preservice teachers are placed. They facilitate the preservice teacher's classroom placement experiences, conduct observations and informal evaluations.
Preservice teachers are supervised by either a Supervisor or a Collaborating Teacher (CT). A Supervisor conducts regular formal observations of preservice teachers in the classroom, consults with the Cooperating and Preservice Teacher, and completes in-depth midterm and final evaluations. The CT is a school site teacher who performs the combined duties of a Cooperating Teacher and a Supervisor. The CT works closely with the Center Liaison.
Instructors for each center or cluster consist of University Faculty who are experts in their respective fields and employed by the university after undergoing a rigorous interviewing and hiring process. Most university faculty participate in one of more centers or clusters.
Site Administrators, usually the Principal or Vice-Principal, are district personnel who manage the day to day operations of the school. While the level of involvement in a preservice teacher's placement varies from administrator to administrator, they maintain the authority to conduct observations and, if necessary, request changes or removal of the preservice teacher from the placement.