Â鶹ÊÓƵ

Elementary and Secondary Education

Opportunities

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Discover the Opportunities with Education

At most colleges and universities, education students don't begin working in classrooms until their last year. But Â鶹ÊÓƵ knows that effective educators need diverse experiences throughout their teacher preparation. That's why the Â鶹ÊÓƵ Education Department requires students to begin observing and teaching in classrooms through student-teaching before they're officially accepted into the program. Explore the numerous opportunities available through your four-year journey.

Student-Teaching 

A core part of teacher training is a semester spent student-teaching off campus. Â鶹ÊÓƵ faculty work with students to learn about their career aspirations to find school placements that are aligned with the goals and areas of interests. Student-teaching is usually done your last semester at Â鶹ÊÓƵ, but it will not be your first time in a K-12 classroom. Your exposure to students and teaching will start before you are even admitted to the program and continue until you receive your student-teaching semester.

Set up a time with the Admissions and Placement Coordinator in the Education Department to talk about that four-year plan if you haven't already. Along with admissions and advising, this person also manages student-teaching placements.

 

Global Educators 

The Â鶹ÊÓƵ Global Educators Program is an innovative program that places student-teachers in locations to experience teaching and living in environments different from their home communities. Students expand their skills by utilizing culturally based teaching and learning strategies that are unique to each school and its cultural context. By forging connections and learning from the diverse perspectives at their host school, Global Educators leave their program prepared to educate students from diverse backgrounds and to lead their future classrooms.

 

Student Organizations 

The Education Department supports a student organization that offer social and professional development opportunities. The Student Educators Association (SEA) provides many opportunities outside the Department of Education for students wishing to complete the teacher education program. These opportunities include teacher panels, speakers from other colleges and universities, faculty forums from area school districts, professional development opportunities, and activities that encourage strong personal relationships between members and faculty.

This organization is involved in supporting education majors and are active as part of the larger Â鶹ÊÓƵ community of clubs and organizations.

 

Facilities 

The Education Department is housed in Anderson Hall. This amazing space cultivates a sense of community among the students and faculty in the Department and provides resources, equipment, and space to effectively learn how to teach.

Classroom Experiences

Observation and practice are key elements of the teacher training experience at Â鶹ÊÓƵ. There are opportunities starting in the first year through senior year for our students to gain a wide range of experiences with different teachers, classes, and young learners. 

Career Orientation to Teaching: EDU 268

EDU268 is a January Term course that provides an opportunity to assess interest in a teaching career. Most people do this during their first year at Â鶹ÊÓƵ and shadow a teacher of their choice. Students do not have to be an Education major to take the course. However, the course is required for Education majors before applying to the program.

 

Study Buddies Tutoring

As part of the EDU230 class, students volunteer for a semester with Study Buddies. The program benefits Saint Peter schools by providing teaching assistance as requested by teachers. Volunteers work in direct contact with students of all ages and backgrounds, doing whatever tasks are needed—including tutoring, reading support, math support, and other classroom tasks. 

 

Wednesdays in Workplace

As part of the Foundations block of EDU classes, majors spend time in classrooms at a local middle school, where they observe teachers, support pupils in their classwork, and prepare/deliver brief lessons.

 

AVID Tutoring

Another form of field experience for K-12 and Secondary Teacher Candidates is the opportunity to serve as peer tutors for local middle and high school students in classrooms. This happens concurrently with Secondary Methods and is designed to give teacher candidates the opportunity to work with and support secondary pupils' learning within a framework that encourages inquiry, independence, and self-directed learning through the AVID lens.

 

Elementary & Kindergarten practica

Secondary Practicum

 

Student-Teaching

Student-teaching is the ultimate culmination of all you will learn in your time with the Education Program. Student-teaching is a full semester in one or two classrooms, where teacher candidates get their most authentic preparation and experiences prior to launching their own careers as educators. Majors getting a K-12 license, a dual license, and/or a middle school endorsement to their elementary teaching license may also complete an additional student teaching practicum during January Term.

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