Student Teaching

• The completion of the application to student teach must be submitted by the deadline established by the Office of Accreditation, Placement & Licensure. An online application must have been submitted no later than the due date.
• Student teachers are required to read and understand the student teacher handbook before student teaching.
• Individuals need to contact their academic advisor to ensure that all requirements to student teach have been met.
• Individuals who apply to student teach must have a criminal background check on file (through One Source Background) and must complete a self report form prior to reporting to a school placement, as directed by the Director of Field Experiences.
• Students and UNL Supervisors will use Canvas as their online evaluation tool.
• Students wanting a student teaching placement outside of Nebraska must meet with the Director of Field Experiences prior to applying for student teaching. Please contact the Director of Field Experiences to schedule a meeting. *any additional expenses, required for an out of state placement, will be the responsibility of the student
• Students wanting an international student teaching placement must meet with the Director of Field Experiences prior to applying for student teaching.
• Student teaching candidates are required to attend an orientation session. Dates will be shared after the application review determines eligibility. Students are expected to attend student teaching orientation or the placement will be cancelled for non-attendance.
• Dual majors (ELED/SPED) and ECSE majors need to meet with the Director of Field Experiences before applying to student teach in Alief ISD. The time required for completion and specific experiential requirements of these experiences may not work within the Alief calendar.
• A personal and professional fitness form must be completed and uploaded with your student teaching application. The link to the form can be found at the top of the student teaching application. Please upload and save this form as last name, first name Fitness form, before uploading it.
   

Practicum experiences at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln consist of all pre-student teaching field experiences that are a part of each professional education program. They may occur as introductory experiences in the early stages of a program or may be a part of a methods experience. Therefore, the requirements for each practicum can vary on the basis of when they are offered in one's program sequence and are influenced by the grade level and endorsement subject area of the student's program. As students progress through different practicum experiences, the requirements become more rigorous.

Students must dress and behave in a professional manner at all times and, are expected to use good judgment and common sense. Finally, students are expected to grow professionally and to improve their skills as educators. Students are encouraged to meet with their respective advisor for more specific information as to the nature of each practicum.

Students are required to complete a minimum of 100 hours in a PreK-12 school setting as part of their practicum experience(s). As part of the 100 hours, 40 hours must be spent in schools offering culturally diverse experiences.
 

Students who are required in their programs to go into daycare facilities, schools, hospitals or other community agencies must complete a background check before CEHS can place them in these facilities. The background check must be completed through the approved CEHS process and other background checks cannot be substituted.

If a student does not have a satisfactory criminal background check they will be denied admission and/or removed from the program.  Criteria for denial or removal is determined by the standards set by the Nebraska Department of Education in Rule #20 and #21. Students who have an offense which would preclude them from receiving a Nebraska Teaching Certificate will be contacted immediately by the Office of Accreditation, Placement & Licensure to determine next steps. Students who have an offense which would not preclude them from receiving a Nebraska Teaching Certificate but had not previously been reported must complete a self-disclosure form.

• Background Check Instructions
   

• Student Teaching Handbook
• Cover Letter Tips 
• Resume Tips
• Graduate Special Education Practicum – SpEd 896M
• Background Check Instructions
• IDEA Certification Checklist

Please refer to the CEHS Career Center or UNL Career Services website for examples of resumes and cover letters. These materials will be shared with your cooperating teacher, supervisor, principal and school district.
 

Formative Student Teaching Evaluation (word document)

Summative Student Teaching Evaluation (word document)
 

The Office of Field Experiences works with faculty and area school districts to make all placements.  Districts are limited by their capacity to place student teachers based on building needs, student needs and classroom teacher availability.

The student teaching application is completed online and can be found on the CEHS website.  Students who are eligible to stuent teach will receive an email from their advisor reminding them of the application dates. The application deadline for fall student teachers is the second Friday in February.  The deadline for spring student teaching is the second Friday in September.  Students expecting to student teacher are responsible for knowing the deadline. 

For fall applicants, the goal is to have those assignments to you by the beginning of May. For spring applicants, the goal is the beginning of December. You will be notified via email. 

This is dependent on receiving placement information from the districts. There may be delays due to other district demands.

You will be contacted by the university supervisor with whom you will work prior to the start of student teaching.

Most student teachers will student teach the entire semester, 16 weeks. Some students may have a 20-week placement depending on their endorsements. Check with your advisor or ask in the Director of Field Experience if you aren't sure.

You are expected to follow the schedule of your cooperating teacher. You will start when teachers return, most often before district students return, the first week in August and the first week in January.  Student teachers completing a dual endorsement with special education will have an extended time in the classroom based on being placed 9 weeks for each endorsement. You will be expected to attend seminars on campus.

You will student teach half of the time in one endorsed area and half of the time in the other area. This may be two 6-week assignments or two 9-week assignments. If you have two subject endorsements it may run concurrently (Ex: mornings in Spanish, afternoons in French).

You are allowed only three excused absences during the semester. An excused absence may include illness, a family emergency, or an appointment. Any other absence will need to be discussed with the University Supervisor and will be handled on a case-by-case basis. Plan your personal calendar to accommodate your student teaching calendar and schedule.

Your first one to two weeks of student teaching are considered an orientation in which you will learn the policies and procedures of the district, the building, and the classroom. We expect you to be engaged and interacting with students from day one. You and your cooperating teacher will determine a schedule for taking over subjects/classes.

We encourage open and respectful communication with your cooperating teacher. Keep in mind that you are a guest in the classroom of an experienced teacher. Observe attentively, ask questions, and ensure your communication remains respectful. If you have any concerns, you should share them with your university supervisor to discuss ways to approach the situation. Many times, it's simply a matter of unclear communications and expectations.