Student teacher information
Student teaching at WSU College of Education is designed to promote your ability to integrate theory and practice, provide you with opportunities to teach collaboratively and independently in urban classroom settings and build your confidence as a future urban educator. We take our urban mission seriously, and have a special commitment to prepare future educators that understand and are able to meet the needs of diverse populations of children in our urban communities.
As a WSU College of Education student teacher candidate, you should expect to teach in urban school settings in the Metro Detroit Area. You should plan to complete a full day/full semester of student teaching during your final semester in the teacher education program. Some programs require more than one semester of student teaching. Thus, it is imperative to register for the appropriate student teaching courses and the appropriate credits during your official registration period. Use your Plan of Work, and meet with your Advisor before initiating the application process that is required prior to registration.
When should I enroll?
Candidates should plan to complete a semester-long internship of 400+ hours per week in an urban classroom. Student teachers also join their Mentor Teachers in before/after school teacher responsibilities, such as school staff meetings, professional development, curriculum night, etc. Expect your weekly schedule to be full days Monday through Fridays. Thus, you should plan for this culminating semester accordingly. Meet with your Academic Advisor to discuss timelines for completing requirements to qualify for this semester long clinical practice. Beginning fall 2018, candidates must complete an online application for Student Teaching in order to be audited for academic standing and required course work completion. Candidates must pass audit of requirements before the district partner school placement process can begin.
Requirements
Student Teaching must be taken in the final semester of one's degree program. Requirements are:
- Satisfactory grade point average and minimum required grades for content, methods, and professional sequence courses. (GPA: 2.50 + for undergrads and 3.00+ for grads).
- Successful completion of the wo methods courses related to area and professional education courses work with grades of C and above for undergrads and C+ and above for grads, as well as the successful completion of pre-student teaching (practicum).
- Completion of ALL required course work for the teaching major and/or minors with grades of C and above for undergrads and C+ and above for grads.
- Mandatory attendance and engagement in scheduled orientation.
- Complete all fingerprinting/background checks required by school district/school.
Student teaching application
Welcome to the student teaching application process and congratulations on nearing an important milestone in your preparation to join the teaching profession. Student teaching is considered the culminating experience in your pre-service teacher education, one that is meant to provide you with an invaluable opportunity to apply all that you have learned so far in a real-life context with the ongoing support and feedback of an expert, mentor teacher.
In order to receive approval to register for Student Teaching, it is necessary to complete and submit the online application at the link below. Once application is received, an audit of students' completed course work is scheduled. All content and methods courses must be successfully completed with grades of C or above for undergrads, and C+ or above for graduate students. Additionally, students cannot have any outstanding "I" (incomplete) for any course. Once audit is completed and all requirements are affirmed, the student applicant will receive a notification of approval to register for the appropriate section for Student Teaching.
Deadlines for Teaching Internship Application Materials
Course registration information
The following courses require prior approval for registration. This approval can only be secured through the Student Teaching Application process described in previous section.
TED 5780 Directed Teaching and Conference -Elementary or Secondary General Education
Prerequisite: Satisfactory completion of pre-student teaching (practicum). Completion of ALL content courses and methods courses with C or above for undergrads, and C+ or above for graduate students. Offered for S and U grades only. Mandatory orientation is held prior to beginning of each semester; refer to Schedule of Classes for date, time and location.
Course Description: Directed teaching in schools at level for which advanced students are preparing for certification. Includes seminars in which teaching methods and discussion of educational issues in various fields are explored.
TED 5790 Directed Teaching and Conference [Special Groups]
Prerequisite: Satisfactory completion of pre-student teaching (practicum). Completion of the two methods courses for major with C or above. Offered for S and U grades only. Mandatory orientation is held prior to beginning of each semester; refer to Schedule of Classes for date, time and location.
Course Description: Directed teaching in schools at level for which advanced students are preparing for certification. Includes seminars in which teaching methods and discussion of educational issues in various fields are explored. For students seeking endorsements in special areas; for example: special education, early childhood, art. Students interested in completing general elementary and special education clinical experiences in the same semester should see advisor for eligibility requirements.
Placement and policies
Fingerprinting / ICHAT policy
WSU partner school districts may require WSU students to consent to a background/criminal history check and submit fingerprints to the central administration of the school district. Background checks are done through the Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT) by Michigan State Police. Students will have to abide by and pay any incurring charges for fingerprints and background checks before participating in student teaching or field placement. The ICHAT background clearance is valid for 6 months and therefore must be renewed for subsequent clinical placements.
Placement policy
No student shall contact a school district, school administrator, teacher or other staff member concerning a request for his/her placement for pre-student teaching. Arrangements for student teaching placement are made only by WSU Educational Partnerships and Experiences and with the central administration or human resource division of the local school district.
Restrictions - conflict of interest
WSU students may not seek placement in districts/schools in which a potential for conflict of interest exists. Potential conflicts may pertain to but are not limited to the following:
- A family member works for the school or district in which placement is secured
- Currently working for the school or district in which placement is secured (with exception of OTJ Appeal approval)