Secondary Professional Teacher Education Program

Secondary PTEP information:

Curious about what it takes to be a secondary teacher?

Orientation times for the Secondary Professional Teacher Education Program for the Spring of 2008:

  • Monday, February 18, 2008, 4:35-5:35 p.m. room McKee 230
  • Wednesday, February 20, 2008, 5:00—6:00 p.m. room McKee 147
  • Thursday, February 28, 2008, 4:15-5:15 p.m. room McKee 230
  • Monday, March 10, 2008, 8:00-9:00 a.m. room McKee 230
  • Wednesday, March 26, 2008, 5:00—6:00 p.m. room McKee 147

You must attend an orientation and follow the guidelines below in order to be considered for the program.                                         
Follow these steps:

  1. Make sure you have completed 30 hours or have sophomore status.

  2. Make sure that your GPA is 2.5 or above.

  3. Declare a major and licensure in a content area by going to the appropriate department and speaking with an advisor. (i.e. Biology, Chemistry, Communication/Speech, Earth Science, English, French, Geography, German, History, Math, Physics, Social Science, Spanish, Theatre Arts)

  1. Send an email to Dr. Middleton at (Valerie.middleton@unco.edu). Include your name, content area, Bear Number, Bearmail address, phone number, the semester you would like to enroll (i.e. Fall, 2007), and briefly (100 words or less) describe your reason(s) for wanting to become a teacher. "CONTENT, GRAMMAR, and PUNCTUATION COUNT!!!"

  2. Register for EDFE 110 and pass it semester before taking STEP 161

Additional Information: Include PTEP courses in your long range plan so you won’t get held out in the middle of the program.

Before full admission, you are required to have a “B” or better in a writing (college composition) course and a “C” or better in a speech (communication) course.

We’re looking forward to your presence at the orientation and in our program.

Professional Teacher Education Program (PTEP) Orientation Information

What is a Secondary Professional Teacher Education Program (PTEP) Orientation? The PTEP Orientation provides an overview of the program including: admission requirements and expectations, program options, advisement, student teaching options, graduation, the PLACE/PRAXIS, and Colorado teacher licensure.

When should I attend? It is best to come to an orientation the semester before you plan on entering the teacher education program. However, you can also come as soon as you think you might be interested in a career in education if you would like to familiarize yourself with the process.

When and how often are orientation sessions offered? There are several orientation sessions offered each semester. Orientation session dates are posted on the Secondary Professional Teacher Education website, the bulletin board across from the Education office in McKee 216, and the bulletin board outside of Dr. Middleton’s office at McKee 283. Remember, the orientation is a requirement for admission to the Teacher Education Program so do not wait too late.

How long does the Secondary PTEP orientation last? About an hour with time for questions.

Do I need to bring anything to the orientation? You should bring a pen or pencil. Other materials will be provided.

Is it all right if my parents (children, spouse, family) attend with me? Sure, as long as there is room to accommodate everyone.

Where is the Orientation held? Each Orientation has a specific location. See the Secondary Professional Teacher Education website, the bulletin board across from the Education office in McKee 216, or the bulletin board outside of Dr. Middleton’s office at McKee 283.

Do I have to sign up ahead of time for an Orientation or can I just come to one? You can just come to one.

Can I apply to the Teacher Education Program even if I have not attended an Orientation? You may be able to submit your application before attending an orientation, but you will not be admitted to the program or placed in a school until you have met the Orientation requirement.

Dr. Middleton and my Academic Content Advisor covered everything at our meeting. Do I still have to attend an orientation? Check with Dr. Middleton to see if you have met the orientation requirement. Submit documentation of meeting with your advisor. If both agree that you have met the requirement, you will not have to attend an additional orientation.

Will someone contact me to remind me when I am supposed to attend? No. You are an adult and you need to be responsible for your own attendance.

I have to work the days the Orientation is offered. Do I have any other options? There are a variety of options available throughout the semester. You should be able to make arrangements to attend one of the sessions.

Do I have to stay for the whole presentation? Yes. There is information that you will need throughout the entire orientation. Leaving early will mean you have not met the requirement.

I might be about 20 minutes late. Is that OK? No. If you are more than 10 minutes late, you will have to reschedule and attend another session.

Will I have time to speak with my academic content advisor after the orientation? Academic Content Advisors are welcome, but are not required to attend. Your advisor will not be the orientation presenter. If your advisor is not present, you should schedule an appointment to meet with your Advisor on your own.

I am not sure whether I want to teach Elementary or Secondary school. Does it matter which Orientation I attend? If you are undecided, you should attend an orientation at each level to help you make your decision.

Is it OK if I pick up information for a friend who wasn't able to attend? Yes, you can pick information for your friend if there are any extras available. However, your friend will not have met the orientation requirements until he or she attends an actual Orientation session.

What if I missed the orientation I said I would attend or forgot the date? Look on the Teacher Education website, the bulletin board across from the Education office in McKee 216, or the bulletin board outside of Dr. Middleton’s office at McKee 283 for the time of the next Orientation.

What if I live out of state/area and can’t attend an orientation? Out of state/area students must be accepted to the university and have a declared major before entering Secondary PTEP. If after seeing an Academic Content Advisor and having met their requirements, you can make an appointment with Dr. Middleton. However, placements are limited and fill up quickly, so you may have to wait until the next round of orientations.

What if I am a transfer student? Transfer students must be accepted to the university and have a declared major before entering Secondary PTEP. If after seeing an Academic Content Advisor and having met their requirements, you can make an appointment with Dr. Middleton. However, placements are limited and fill up quickly, so you may have to wait until the next round of orientations.

Additional IMPORTANT Information:

  • STEP 161, 262, 363 classes meet every Tuesday night from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
  • You must also keep a two-hour block of time open between 8 AM and 3 PM (school hours) for your 32-hour field placement requirement. Please consider additional travel time so you will not have to leave early or come in late to your classes or field placement. Plan your 2-hour block accordingly:
    • STEP 161: Tuesdays
    • STEP 262: Thursdays
    • STEP 363: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays
  • Bearmail will be our major form of communication with you. Check your Bearmail account regularly or have it forwarded to the account you use most often. The responsibility of accessing this information is yours.

Questions?