Job-Embedded Licensure

Job-Embedded Overview

East Tennessee State University offers a Job-Embedded Clinical Practice pathway which allows an individual to serve as a teacher of record for the full school year in a Tennessee classroom while completing a required education preparation program (EPP).

To be eligible for the Job-Embedded licensure pathway, an individual must:

  • Have a Bachelor's degree or higher
  • Provide proof of 3.0 or higher GPA
  • Provide transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
  • Demonstrate competency in the job-embedded licensure area with:
    • A bachelor's degree or higher in the licensure area or
    • Passing scores on the Praxis II exams required for state licensure
  • Be employed by a school district as the teacher of record
  • Be enrolled into a graduate program that offers job-embedded clinical practice (Master of Arts, Special Education, Educator Job-Embedded Graduate Certificate, or School Counselor)
  • Be able to complete the requirements within 3 years

A job-embedded candidate is recommended for a teaching license that enables them to carry out and complete all duties and responsibilities of a classroom teacher. The teaching license is valid for three (3) years, during which, the candidate must complete all requirements for teacher licensure and ETSU graduation.

In order to be recommended for a Job-Embedded license, the following steps need to be completed:

  • Apply to and obtain full admission status to ETSU Graduate School
  • Submit an Intent to Hire letter that indicates the student has been or will be hired as the teacher of record by a school district in which ETSU holds a partnership.
  • Complete the Job-Embedded application
  • Meet with Program Advisor to review program of study and return the Advisor Sign off Sheet
  • Provide an unofficial copy of your transcripts
  • Provide proof of content knowledge:
    • A bachelor's degree or higher in the licensure area or
    • Passing scores on the Praxis II exams required for state licensure
    • Students seeking a math endorsement have the option of taking the NES exam.
  • Background Check Requirement. The hiring district may provide evidence of a current background check.
    • If the check conducted by the district is comparable with the check done by ETSU an additional background check will not be required.
    • If the background check is not comparable an ETSU Background Check will be required.
  • Provide proof of Liability Insurance Coverage

*Students must maintain liability insurance throughout the job-embedded licensure process.

Candidates who are interested in pursuing the Job-Embedded Pathway must contact the Office of Educator Preparation (alternativelicensure@etsu.edu) to obtain a Job-Embedded Application and contact information for the program advisor or coordinator.

Application Process

  • Admission

    Apply to and be admitted to East Tennessee State University and Obtain acceptance to an initial teacher licensure program at the master’s level:

    Applicants will need to provide evidence of a 3.0 or higher GPA and copies of transcripts from all colleges or universities previously attended.

  • Application Package
    • Job-Embedded Application
      Completion of the Job-Embedded application.
    • Advising 

      Meet with the appropriate program advisor to ensure a program of study that will enable completion of all the program requirements within the 3 years allowed by the job-embedded pathway is established. Also ensure that the job-embedded candidate is aware of the time commitment and has set realistic completion timeline. 

       
      Once this is done the advisor will complete the Advisor Sign off .

    • Intent to Hire 

      As a job-embedded program a prospective student would need to obtain a job offer to teach in a Tennessee School. The hiring District would need to complete the intent to hire letter and submit it to alternativelicensure@etsu.edu. 

    • Background Check 

      Complete a background check package .

      • Graduate students who participate in a job-embedded clinical practice must complete a Background Check Package, which consists of fingerprinting and required documentation. This Background Check Package will be housed in the Office of Educator Preparation (OEP) and on file with Tennessee Bureau of Investigations (TBI). 
      • Or documentation from hiring district of a clear background check that is comparable to the ETSU background check completed by TBI. This documentation will be housed in the Office of Educator Preparation (OEP).
    • Liability Insurance 

      Provide proof of liability insurance .

      • ETSU requires candidates to obtain Professional Liability Insurance. Proof of liability insurance (evidence must include the effective and expiration dates) must be submitted to the Office of Educator Preparation before a candidate can be recommended to the state for licensure. Submit proof of insurance electronically to the Office of Educator Preparation at alternativelicensure@etsu.edu or bring a printed copy to the office in Warf Pickel Hall, Room 305. Job-Embedded students must maintain liability insurance until they have completed their program. 
    • Demonstrate Competency of the Content Area 

      State policy requires all teachers to hold a valid Tennessee State Teaching License prior to beginning their teaching position. For initial licensure as a job-embedded teacher the candidate must have demonstrated competency of the content area in which they are seeking licensure.  
       
      One way to demonstrate competency is by successful completion of a Bachelor’s degree or higher in the subject area. The other way to demonstrate competency is to pass the state required exams for licensure. 
       
      If the job-embedded teacher uses a degree to demonstrate competency and they are endorsed in any area other than middle or secondary core academic or world languages the job-embedded teacher will have to pass the state required licensure exam within the 3-year job-embedded time frame.   
       
      For information about ETS Praxis Subject Assessments and to find the exams applicable to your program, visit the ETS Praxis website. When registering for the Praxis Subject Assessment, candidates should include their Social Security Number and request that scores are sent to ETSU (TEST CODE 1198) and Tennessee Department of Education (TEST CODE 8190). If a Praxis Subject Assessment is taken in a state other than Tennessee, test scores will not be sent to Tennessee Department of Education. ETS/Praxis will charge a fee to send scores after the initial registration. 

     

Job-Embedded Teachers 

Roles and Responsibilities 


Job-embedded teachers, administrators and university supervisors are each important members of a professional group focused on student learning.   

  • Teacher 

    Job-embedded teachers will have many roles and responsibilities as both a graduate student and the teacher of record. JE teachers should ask for copies of the school’s and district’s teacher and student handbooks. These handbooks will describe school policies, daily schedules, records, reports, and the school calendar which will be vital as the JE teacher plans for classroom management, policies, procedures, and routines.  
     
    Below are some typical responsibilities and duties JE teachers are expected to demonstrate as the teacher of record.  

    • Follow the school and/or district curriculum.  
    • Plan and prepare all materials for daily lessons. 
      • Consult and coordinate with mentor teacher and/or grade-level teams. 
      • Follow requested lesson plan format (ETSU lesson plan is required for university supervisor observations).  
      • Complete and submit written lesson plans on time (“winging it” is not acceptable).  
    • Teach in dynamic, engaging ways using sound principles of instruction.  
    • Operate instructional technology (e.g., document cameras, interactive whiteboards).  
    • Assess student learning (formatively and summatively).  
    • Administer state or district assessments according to standardized protocols, if appropriate.  
    • Grade student work in a timely manner.  
    • Maintain accurate student records (grades, attendance, etc.).  
    • Help students make up work and/or tests/exams.  
    • Attend staff meetings and other meetings, (e.g., grade-level team).  
    • Attend students’ IEP meetings with other school faculty members.  
    • Answer email and voicemail daily.  
    • Provide supervisory support (e.g., hall, lunchroom, bus, playground, study hall duties).  
    • Attend parent/guardian-teacher conferences or meet with parents/guardians as requested and appropriate.  
    • Follow all school building and district policies (e.g., attendance, discipline, grading, communication, safety). 


    Graduate Student Responsibilities: 


    In addition to the above responsibilities, job-embedded teachers, as graduate students, may be responsible for activities or tasks for their ETSU courses including: 

    • Complete lesson plans for lessons taught and/or observed by university supervisor 
    • Be observed by university supervisor 
    • Complete the EDA self-assessment at the beginning and end of each school year.
    • Complete program specific assignments and tasks 
    • Maintain Good Academic Standing

    Seminar/Meetings

    Seminar is a class that is designed to prepare candidates for experiences they may have in their classroom. Seminar meets regularly and is set by the program of study. Failure to attend the seminars or complete the alternative assignment will affect the candidate’s overall grade. This could also impact their ability to remain in the job-embedded licensure pathway as students must maintain good academic standing. 

    Orientation

    State policy requires that job-embedded teachers attend an orientation prior to beginning their job-embedded clinical practice. These orientations will be offered on a monthly basis to ensure that all job-embedded teachers have the opportunity to attend an orientation. The orientation will provide an overview of the job-embedded handbook, pathway requirements, professionalism, ethics, trauma informed teaching, FERPA, and the evaluation process.

    Student Learning and Licensure (Watermark) Information

    Student Learning & Licensure (SLL) is an Internet-based subscription service that allows JE teachers and instructors to create, share, and collaborate on educational curricula. JE teachers will access the SLL System to upload their EDA and CEAP Lesson Plan. 

    Video/Film Permission Roster

    Federal Law protects student information through FERPA, PPRA, and COPPA. In an event where filming in the classroom for the university supervisor is required job-embedded teachers must receive parent consent for their student to be included in the filming. Job-embedded teachers should collect and retain consent forms throughout the year and attach the Video Permission Roster to SLL (Watermark) each semester. 

    Mandatory Reporting

    As the teacher of record and a member of the University community job-embedded teachers are responsible for compliance with Tennessee laws on mandatory reporting of child abuse and child sexual abuse. Go to the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services website to find out more information on how to identify and report child abuse and child sexual abuse. Please make sure you are aware of the policy for reporting in the school and district in which you are employed. 

    ETSU Incident Reporting 

    If an incident occurs where a candidate is injured, the candidate needs to report the injury to the Office of Educator Preparation, alternativelicensure@etsu.edu or 423-439-7597 within 24 hours of the event and complete and ETSU incident report. As an employee of the school district the job-embedded candidate would also need to comply with the school district’s policy for reporting incidents. 

    Additional Responsibilities

    Athletic coaching, after school programs, music programs, and club sponsoring etc. are major time commitments that can require modification of the teaching schedule. As a result, they can also affect planning and preparation in ways that can negatively impact the success of classroom teaching. Job-embedded Teachers must report any additional school responsibilities they accept to the University supervisor while working under a job-Embedded teaching license. This is to ensure the job-embedded teacher, supervisor and coordinator are aware of obligations above and beyond the responsibility of teaching full time and taking graduate course work. 

  • University Supervisor 

    University supervisors may be full-time university faculty members, or adjunct faculty members with many years of teaching and/or school administrative experience. University supervisors fulfill the following responsibilities: 

    • Visit schools (virtually or in person) and facilitate conversations with the school-based administrator and job-embedded teacher.   
    • Observe the job-embedded teacher using the TEAM Rubric at least one time during the semester and provide specific written feedback on the visit; additional visits may be scheduled, particularly if job-embedded teacher needs additional support. 
    • Touch base monthly with the job-embedded teacher to ascertain progress toward goal and provide coaching as necessary. 
    • Hold final conferences with job-embedded teacher and school-based administrator to ensure the Educator Disposition Assessment (EDA) is completed. 
    • Provide a direct line of communication between the Office of Educator Preparation and the school in which candidate is employed. 
    • In the event the University Supervisor needs additional support to ensure the success of the job-embedded teacher the university supervisor will notify the Ed Preparation Coordinator who can provide additional support.

    Observation by the University Supervisor:

    University supervisors are advocates and liaisons between the university and the job-embedded teacher. The university supervisor will contact the Job-embedded teacher monthly.  

    CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE OBSERVATION SCHEDULE. 

    1. At the beginning of each school year the job-embedded teacher, university supervisor, and administrator will meet. As a team, they will discuss the expectations for the semester, share contact information, and collect data/reflect on how the school year has started.  
    2. In September, the job-embedded teacher will suggest an area based on the TEAM Observation Rubric in which they would like to grow. This information will be used to establish a measurable professional growth/refinement goal and they will begin the Responsive Support & Supervision document.  
    3. At each supervisor contact the supervisor and job-embedded teacher will reflect on the job-embedded teacher’s progression toward their professional growth/refinement goal and coaching and support will be provided as necessary. After each contact the Responsive Support & Supervision document will be updated to include the date(s) and Support(s) provided. At the end of the semester the student will submit this document to the instructor in D2L. If the goal is achieved prior to the end of the semester, another professional growth/refinement goal will be established.  
    4. The University Supervisor will complete at least 2 observational visits during the school year, one per semester. The observational visit will require completion of the TEAM observation rubric and CAEP lesson plan rubric with the data entered into Student Learning & Licensure (Watermark). Job-embedded teachers MUST use the ETSU lesson plan template for TEAM observations completed by their university supervisors and submit lesson plans a minimum of 2 days before scheduled observations. The monthly support may be done in person, virtually via zoom or GoReact, or through a phone call or email depending on the needs of the job-embedded teacher. 
    5. University supervisor visits will be scheduled in advance and supervisors will collaborate with job-embedded teachers to schedule visits and share their expectations for pre- and/or post-conferences. 
    6. University supervisors will complete the Educator Disposition Assessment (EDA) at the end of each semester of the Job-Embedded Clinical Practice. The results of the Educator Disposition Assessment will be gone over with the job-embedded teacher during the final meeting. 
       
  • School Based Administrator 

    Job-embedded teachers are most successful when university supervisors work collaboratively with the school-based administrator in order to give consistent messages to the job-embedded teachers regarding strengths and professional needs. A collaborative relationship between the administrator and university supervisor helps to ensure the professional growth of the job-embedded teacher. 


    Administrators are on-campus supervisors who interact with the JE teacher. Below are some suggestions of ways Administrators can support job-embedded teachers:  

    • Participate in initial conference with university supervisor and job-embedded teacher. Providing any input on initial observations. to the supervisor.  
    • Orient the job-embedded teacher to the school culture and core values.  
    • Connect the job-embedded teacher to colleagues who will help them as the acclimate to the school.  
    • Participate in final conference with university supervisor and job-embedded teacher. 
    • Maintain open lines of communication with the university supervisor 
  • Mentor Teachers

    Mentor teachers work on a voluntary basis with job-embedded teachers. They possess qualifications including a recommendation by the principal or other appropriate supervisors, are interested in working with novice teachers, and will be willing to collaborate with the school and university to help the job-embedded candidate grow as a professional.  
     
    Mentor teachers are an on-campus colleague resource to support the JE teacher. Below are some suggestions of ways mentors can support job-embedded teachers:  

    • Orient the job-embedded teacher to the school, community and building culture, students, classroom routines and policies, curriculum, and instruction and assessment practices.  
    • Through collaborative conversations share effective teaching practices and make their thinking transparent (share the why behind choices made). 
    • As schedules allow, support job-embedded teachers with questions related to topics such as planning, classroom management etc. 


Important Information

  • Handbook
  • Professionalism 

    Code of Ethics: 

    The Model Code of Ethics for Educators (MCEE) serves as a guide for future & current educators faced with the complexities of K-12 education. The code establishes principles for ethical best practice, mindfulness, self-reflection, and decision making, setting the groundwork for self-regulation and self-accountability. The establishment of this professional code of ethics by educators and for educators honors the public trust and upholds the dignity of the profession.  

    Professionalism Concerns: 

    If job-embedded teachers consistently fail to adhere to the job-embedded guidelines, university supervisors or administrators should contact the Program Coordinator or Department Chair and the Educator Preparation Coordinator to schedule a meeting to discuss their concerns. If necessary, a Student Support Meeting with the job-embedded teacher, program coordinator, Ed. Preparation Coordinator, Director of Field Experience and Residency and any other applicable stakeholders will be scheduled to develop a Student Support Initiative to improve their professional dispositions.  A follow-up meeting to review job-embedded teachers’ progress should be held in two to four weeks. During the follow-up meeting, JE teachers’ progress and/or additional concerns will be discussed, and a recommendation will be made for how to proceed with the Job-embedded teacher.  

    Termination or Resignation: 

    In the event the school or school district has to terminate employment for a job-embedded teacher due to poor performance or professional dispositions, a meeting will be scheduled with the Director of Field Experiences and Residency, university supervisor, program coordinator and/or department chair to discuss concerns and determine next steps.  A termination of employment may result in removal from the Job-embedded pathway and may result in removal from the program and/or a failing grade.  

    In the event the job-embedded teacher considers resigning from their teaching position this must be discussed with the Advisor/Program Coordinator, Educator Preparation Coordinator, and any other applicable stakeholders and the school district prior to submitting a resignation. After this meeting if the JE teacher decides to move forward with the resignation, the following responsibilities must be met. 

    • Provide at least 2 weeks’ notice 
    • Provide substitute plans if requested 


    Failure to meet the following requirements may result in the job-embedded teacher’s change in status to ‘Off track’ or ‘no longer affiliated’ with the Educator Preparation Program: 

    • Satisfactory progress through the planned program of studies 
    • Minimum GPA of 3.0/Maintain Good Academic Standing 
    • Satisfactory evaluations of teaching by the university supervisor and administrator 
    • Maintain employment within the school system 
    • Demonstration of ethical and professional dispositions and practice 

  • Educator Dispositions 

    Job-embedded teachers should present themselves as a professional educator and conduct themselves in a manner that adheres to the Model Code of Ethics for Educators. If JE teachers are unsure of appropriate professional behavior or encounter a problematic situation, they should consult their university supervisor, principal or other school personnel as soon as possible for guidance and assistance. 
     
    In all actions and interactions, JE teachers should demonstrate the highest level of professionalism. Job-embedded teachers are hired on a year-to-year basis. JE teachers should view this experience as an opportunity to develop and demonstrate their teaching skills.  
     
    Job-embedded teachers agree to follow the rules of the school district as well as policies of Clemmer College of Education and Human Development and East Tennessee State University, including those pertaining to the professional dispositional skills located below. 
     
    Job-embedded teachers’ professional dispositions will be measured throughout the school year on the Educator Disposition Assessment (EDA). Job-embedded teachers complete the EDA self-assessment at the beginning of each school year, and then again at the end of each school year. University supervisors complete the EDA at the end of each Semester using information gathered from the principal.  

    CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE EDA.


  • Mandatory Reporting

    All members of the university community are responsible for compliance with Tennessee laws on mandatory reporting of child abuse and child sexual abuse. Go to the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services website  to find out more information on how to identify and report child abuse and child sexual abuse. Please go to the following website to find detailed information from the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services on how to identify and report child abuse and child sexual abuse: here
     
    Job-embedded candidates as employees of the school and district need to ensure they are aware of the school and district reporting policies. 
     
    View full Mandatory Reporting protocol here. 
     
    The following is a summary of key provisions of Tennessee law on mandatory reporting of child abuse and child sexual abuse.  

    • Who Must Report  

      Tennessee law mandates reporting by any person who has knowledge of physical or mental harm to a child if: (1) the nature of the harm reasonably indicates it was caused by brutality, abuse, or neglect; or (2) on the basis of available information, the harm reasonably appears to have been caused by brutality, abuse, or neglect.  
      Tennessee law also mandates reporting by any person who knows or has reasonable cause to suspect that a child has been sexually abused, regardless of whether it appears the child has sustained an injury as a result of the abuse. The Tennessee mandatory reporting laws define a child as a person under 18 years of age. 

    • How to Report 

      External Steps for Reporting 
      Call 911 if the situation is a life-threatening emergency. In other cases, a report of child abuse or child sexual abuse must be made immediately to one of the following four authorities:  

      • The Tennessee Department of Children’s Services (reports can be made by calling the Central Intake Child Abuse Hotline at 1-877-237-0004);  

      • The sheriff of the county where the child resides;  

      • The chief law enforcement official of the city where the child resides; or  

      • A judge having juvenile jurisdiction over the child.  


      Please note that University police departments are not included in the list of authorities. Reporting to University police, a supervisor, or any other University official or employee does not satisfy and individual’s duty to report child abuse or child sexual abuse to one of the authorities listed above.


      Internal Steps for Informing 
      The following steps should be followed internally to keep all parties abreast of the reporting status: 


      • The university student should inform their immediate University supervisor or department chair of the intended report.  
      • The university supervisor or department chair should inform the Office of Educator Preparation of the intended report.  
      • The Office of Educator Preparation should inform the Associate Dean of Educator Preparation of the intended report.  
      • The Mandatory Reporting Team will determine the next steps regarding any change in the student’s placement given the context of the report.  
      • Should the student need assistance in making the report, the student will work directly with the Mandatory Reporting Team.  

     

  • MCEE 

    MCEE PictureClick here to view the MCEE.

    ETSU Code of Professional and Ethical Behaviors 
     

    By becoming a member of the campus community, students agree to live by the  
    standards of the honor code and thereby pledge the following: 
     “I pledge to act with honesty, integrity, and civility in all matters.”

    - Honor Code and Pledge