INTERN/RESIDENT COMMITMENT CONTRACT

Field-Based Teacher Education Program

I, the undersigned, agree to the following commitments:

1.  I COMMIT to full participation in the Field-Based Teacher Education Program and agree to follow the public
school calendar in the fall semester (typically beginning the 2nd week in August) and the university calendar in
the spring semester.  I will follow the teacher’s schedule for reporting to and leaving work.
2.  I COMMIT to the following schedule:

EC – 6^th Grade or 4^th - 8^th Grade

8^th – 12^th Grade, Secondary or All Level

3.  I COMMIT to the understanding that, during my internship/residency, I will not expect any compensation
from A&M COMMERCE or my ISD for any teaching that I do.  I understand that, if I meet the qualifications
of the ISD to substitute and I am hired to substitute on days other than intern days, I can accept compensation
from the ISD.  During my residency, I am not to receive compensation as a substitute except for extenuating
circumstances and only with the permission of my ILT, ISD, and A&M COMMERCE mentoring faculty.
4.  I COMMIT to maintaining all of the academic requirements of A&M COMMERCE relative to teacher
education.  I understand that in order to be approved to begin my internship and residency, I must meet all
admission and retention criteria.
5.  I COMMIT to professionalism.  That is, I will exhibit the behaviors of a professional educator who is
committed to teaching, to excellence, to the learners in the classroom, and to my own personal and professional
growth.  These behaviors include but are not limited to:  appropriate dress; completing assigned work on time
and in the best possible quality; being prompt with appointments and other commitments;  keeping agreements with
ILT and A&M COMMERCE faculty; maintaining a positive attitude; demonstrating to others a true desire to be there; 
staying busy and never being in a position of sitting without anything to do; avoiding eating and drinking in
classrooms,  maintaining a high attendance record with minimal absences (A&M COMMERCE policy on excused
absences will be followed; all other absences will be made up);  soliciting constructive criticism and accepting it
gracefully; and always being prepared.

6.  I COMMIT to the understanding that the school district in which I am an intern will require data from me for
the purpose of obtaining criminal history record information.  I am also aware that all Texas public schools are
required by law to obtain criminal history record information on all applicants for employment.  My early screening
will provide the school district with this information.
7.  I COMMIT to full partnership with my Instructional Leadership Team, to seek their mentorship, to earn their
respect, to participate with them in their required and voluntary duties and activities, to be a decision-maker with them,
and to assist my ILT in their efforts to provide the best education to their learners.
8.  I COMMIT, from the first day of school, to shed my identity as a student and to begin an identity as a teacher. 
I will think like a teacher, not a student.  I will see myself as a beginning teacher, be an initiator in my classroom,
always look for ways to help children learn whether or not I am in charge, continually seek information from my
ILT members and A&M COMMERCE faculty, find out as much as I can about how teachers think and make
decisions, and work from the beginning to become "the best I can be.”
9.  I COMMIT to self-learning and self-improvement, i.e., I will ask questions, seek information, be reflective,
be open to criticism, keep my defenses down, learn to recognize and state my own strengths as well as weaknesses,
and recognize that I will not suddenly be effective but that I will continually be in a process of "becoming" more and
more effective.
10.  I COMMIT to the belief that all children can learn, I welcome the opportunity to learn to teach children of
various diversities and handicapping conditions, and I believe that all participants in my program (including K-12
teachers, A&M COMMERCE faculty, interns, residents, and children) will be both teachers and learners.
11.  I COMMIT to the understanding that becoming a teacher is developmental and focuses on continual improvement,
i.e., not static but evolving, changing and refining, that it often requires evaluation and modification, that the roles
of my professors and teachers may change from time to time, and that I will not only demonstrate flexibility but
I will contribute information when I can that might help to improve the program.
12.  I COMMIT to follow the rules and regulations of the program, to participate in the evaluation of the program,
and to provide information and data important to the evaluation process.  I agree to be audio and/or video taped,
to be photographed, to be interviewed, to participate in studies related to the training of teachers and teacher
education, and to have my good work exhibited to other professional educators and/or at classes, conferences and
workshops.
13.  I COMMIT to the understanding that, student membership in one of the professional teacher organizations
that includes, as part of the membership fee,  professional educator liability insurance (cost approximately $25)
is highly recommended.  In the absence of such a membership, proof that I have liability insurance through a
private insurance carrier is also an option which is available and recommended.
14.  I COMMIT to the understanding that I must take the appropriate content TExES exam during my Internship
semester EC-6^th Grade and 4^th - 8^th Grade) or Internship/Residency semester (8^th-12^th Grade, Secondary, or
All-Level); and to also take the appropriate Professional Pedagogy and Responsibilities (PPR) TExES exam during
my Residency semester (EC-6^th or 4^th-8^th Grade) or Internship/Residency semester(8^th-12^th Secondary or All Level).
15.  I RELEASE my file to be shared between the university and school district without qualification or restrictions.

                        ___________________________________- _________________

                        Intern Signature                                                 Date

                        ___________________________________

                        CWID

 Note:  Print, Sign, and Submit this form with your Teacher Education Program application packet.