Student Teaching

Student Teaching

Student teaching is the culmination of your teacher preparation program, and an opportunity to apply everything that you've learned in your classes. We recognize that this is both an exciting and challenging opportunity, and are here to support you through this experience. 

The student teaching experience has been carefully designed to be as realistic and as intensive as actual teaching.

Students complete a student teaching placement for each area in which they are seeking certification, including license additions.

Important Links

Need help?

Contact us at
stuteach@iu.edu

Want a truly unique student teaching experience?

Consider Global Gateway for Teachers — a program offering placement opportunities in Chicago public schools, on the Navajo reservation, or overseas.

Student Teaching From Start to Finish

Phase One – Applying to Student Teach

Action:Timeline:
Meet with a School of Education academic advisor to review your status and make sure that you are on target to student teach.Late sophomore/early junior year.
Complete the Pathway to Success Canvas Module for student teaching.Complete by October of the year prior to your student teaching year.
Complete and submit Student Teaching application during the application intake period.You must submit your student teaching application the year prior to the semester you intend to student teach. Applications can be submitted during one of the application intake period – during October each year. The deadlines for submission will be provided on the Canvas information course.
Create an account with Career Connections and/or make an appointment with a career advisor.Upload initial resume prior to student teaching. You will update this during/at the end of student teaching so you have it ready to go for your job search.
Send initial contact, introducing yourself and indicating your excitement about student teaching, to your assigned mentor teacher.Information about your mentor teacher will be sent to you via email as soon as your placement has been confirmed. Make initial contact with your mentor teacher within one week of receiving this email.
Apply to graduate by going to TEIS and selecting Apply for Undergraduate Graduation in the My Links section..At the beginning of your senior year. 

Phase Two – Preparing for Your Student Teaching Experience

Action:Timeline:
Attend your student teaching Send OffSemester prior to Student Teaching
Complete & submit Professionalism AgreementDuring pre-student teaching meeting
Complete Universal Precautions Training online (link will be sent via email)Due date will be indicated in email. Usually by the end of the semester prior to student teaching.
Take licensure examsPrepare for & begin prior to student teaching
Make sure your personal contact information is correct in the IU Student Center. Sometimes we must reach you prior to or during student teaching; please do not overlook this step.Prior to student teaching, and anytime this information changes.
Complete Background CheckA current criminal history check must be provided prior to beginning your student teaching experience. Many, but not all, schools will accept a background check from the IU vendor. Before ordering a new background check, inquire with your placement school to determine if the school corporation has a specific vendor or check that is required.

Phase Three – During & After Student Teaching

Action:Timeline:
Complete required licensure examsEnd of student teaching
Wrap up all student teaching requirements and complete final survey (link will be emailed to you by the end of your placement)End of student teaching
Update resume/make suggested changes on Career Connections OnlineEnd of student teaching
Upload final recommendation letters to your Career Connections Online profileEnd of student teaching
Earn your CPR/AED/Heimlich certificationBy the end of student teaching, prior to getting license
Complete Suicide Prevention Training and keep your certificate.By the end of student teaching, prior to getting license
Sign up to attend IU Interview Day (a link to register is only sent to students with approved resumes on file)Early March
Attend annual IU SoE Interview DayLate March/early April
Apply for teaching licenseEnd of student teaching, once all requirements are met and degree is conferred.

Frequently Asked Questions