Student Teaching – Teacher Candidate Resources
Overview
Student teaching is the culminating experience in the teacher preparation program. For all certifications (except for Special Education PK-12 and 7-12 for Graduate Students who hold a valid initial instructional certificate), it consists of a full-time 14-week internship, which is closely supervised by both a cooperating teacher and a student-teacher mentor. Student teaching is arranged after all required course work is completed. Graduate students must reserve fourteen weeks during the regular school year for student teaching. In addition, all non-education prerequisite courses must be completed prior to student teaching. Graduate Secondary Certification teacher candidates must pass their state-approved professional testing before student teaching (e.g., Praxis).
For Graduate Students who hold a valid initial instructional certificate, the Special Education PK-12 certification requires a modified four-week student teaching placement during the second half of the Fall or Spring semester. In many cases, student teaching can be done in the teacher candidate’s own classroom.
Student teachers are required to apply for a student teaching placement by January 15 for the following Fall Semester and by May 15 for the following Spring Semester. Applications are submitted electronically by clicking on the link below. A universal application covers all certification areas. Letters of introduction and resumes must be submitted at the time of application unless the teacher candidate is student teaching in his/her own classroom.
Teacher Candidate Resources
Student Teaching Application
Mid-Term Assessment: Teacher Disposition Assessment
Co-Teaching Model of Student Teaching
Many school districts are reluctant to release full responsibility to student teachers and prefer the Co-Teaching Model of Student Teaching. Below are important resources to improve classroom instruction by utilizing both the cooperating teacher and the student-teacher for instruction.
*The Academy for Co-Teaching, St. Cloud State University