4 semester credits
Demonstration teaching is the culminating experience in the teacher preparation program and is an opportunity to apply knowledge and skills and to demonstrate required competencies. During demonstration teaching, education professionals will participate in orientation activities then gradually assume complete teaching responsibility of the special education classroom for 4 consecutive weeks over a 12-week placement, gaining real-world experience and the opportunity to translate theory into practice. Candidates demonstrate the various roles of the special educator. Education professionals work closely with, and are evaluated by, their university supervisor, classroom cooperating teacher, and Walden instructor. During demonstration teaching, all special education professionals are assessed on the Teacher Performance Assessment (edTPA) and the Demonstration Teaching Evaluation. This course runs concurrently with EDUC 6649 - Seminar for Professional Educators.