Technical Standards

Teacher Preparation

ABILITIES AND SKILLS NECESSARY FOR THE PROFESSION

As a teacher prep student, it is necessary to possess certain physical, mental and emotional abilities / skills to function effectively and efficiently in the role of a teacher. The Teacher Prep student must also demonstrate a set of abilities / skills referred to as 'technical standards' which include the following seven (7) categories: observation, communication, motor, intellectual, behavioral and social, emotional intelligence, and environment.

Reasonable accommodations for students with documented disabilities will be considered on an individual basis, but a student must be able to perform in an independent manner. Such accommodations will be provided in accordance with Accessibility Services at Johnston Community College. The following abilities / skills are required, with or without accommodations.

Abilities and Skills Necessary for the Profession

  • Physical and mental proficiency (medical report required before field experiences)
  • Energy to fulfill responsibilities of the role of a a classroom teacher
  • Up to date JCPS background check
  • Visual acuity (with corrective devices as needed)
  • Color vision, depth perception, peripheral vision
  • Auditory acuity (with corrective devices as needed)
  • Speech which can be understood by all persons across the lifespan
  • Tactile ability
  • Manual dexterity in all limbs
  • Strength to push, pull and lift
  • Strength / ability to carry, stoop, squat and bend
  • Ability to:
    • Reach above shoulder height
    • Stand / walk for long periods of time
    • Organize and effectively manage time to meet deadlines
    • Perform neat and accurate work
    • Respond to increasing pressure, emergencies and workloads
    • Set priorities
    • Communicate effectively with the health care team and consumer of health care services, both verbally and nonverbally
    • Document completely and legible, using acceptable professional terminology
  • Computer literacy

Technical Standards of the Profession

Observation: Students must have sufficient sensory capacity to observe and participate in the classroom, laboratory and all fieldwork expected in an early childhood classroom settings. Functional vision, hearing, olfactory and tactile sensation must be adequate to accurately observe or assess children's growth, development and learning / classroom environments.

Communication: Students must be able to communicate effectively in the classroom, laboratory, and all fieldwork settings with children, families, mentor teachers, staff and college faculty. Students must demonstrate evidence of effective written and verbal communication skills, and technological literacy.

Motor: Students must have sufficient motor function to participate in basic caregiving procedures and to provide effective, quality education to children. Motor function includes both gross and fine motor skills, strength and coordination, physical stamina, and should be sufficient to allow the student to endure long periods of sitting, standing, walking, bending, lifting, twisting, and crouching and moving about in classroom environments.

Intellectual: In order to complete any coursework in the Teacher Preparation Program, the student must be able to demonstrate mastery in reading and comprehension and use them together to demonstrate critical thinking and reasoning when working with young children. Students must be able to adhere to professional ethics and demonstrate a professional manner and insight in the communication process.

Behavior and Social: Students must possess the emotional health required for full utilization of their intellectual abilities, the exercise of good judgment and prompt completion of all academic and child care responsibilities. The development of mature, sensitive and effective relationships with children, families and other early childhood professionals is essential.  The role requires flexibility, compassion, integrity, motivation.

Emotional Intelligence: Students must possess and further develop emotional intelligence. Emotional intelligence encompasses knowledge and management of one's own emotional life and the skills to process the various workplace and situations that arise when working with children and their families, or strained work environments or coworker relationships. Responses to giving and receiving feedback both positive and negative are also a part of emotional intelligence.

Environment:  Teachers are required to perform multiple roles, tasks and decisions simultaneously. Working with school-age children requires high moral standards. Students with a criminal history will likely not have employment opportunities in the education field and may also not be able to complete the practicum/fieldwork requirements for the programs. A current school district background check is required by the college prior to starting any field experience in a school.

Risks for Teaching Professionals

The Teacher Prep student must be aware of potential risks related to teaching children which may include, but are not limited to the following:

  • Exposure to communicable and infectious diseases
  • Exposure to blood and body fluids
  • Environmental hazards (e.g. slippery floors, various levels of lighting, various room and outdoor temperatures, exposure to sunlight, poor outdoor air quality, rain, and other weather related elements, etc.)
  • Lifting younger children & moveable furnishings and equipment
  • Legal, moral & ethical dilemmas
  • Liability Issues

Teacher Preparation students complete field experiences in the EDU coursework at a local public school. 

Revised Fall 2023