55-581 Student Teaching in the Elementary and Middle School Classroom and Seminar

This course is designed for candidates planning to be licensed elementary teachers in Illinois. This course provides intensive daily experience over an entire semester in an elementary or middle school setting. Progress in developing teaching skills is carefully observed and supervised (via a minimum of eight observations) by an experienced and approved cooperating classroom teacher and the University supervisor. Evaluation is based on a variety of performance assessments. Both formative and summative feedback will be provided including the areas of content knowledge, planning, instructional delivery, assessment, data-driven interventions, classroom management, and professionalism. The experience and related seminars focus on communication and collaboration, developing a quality learning environment, developing effective research-based instruction and assessments, and professional reflection development. Seminars may include superintendents, principals, and teachers from the schools as instructors and speakers. In a major culminating project, candidates will design, implement, and evaluate a unit of instruction with particular emphasis on assuring successful learning by all students (including ELL, already proficient, and struggling learners. Attendance at student teaching seminars is required. Evidence of successful completion of the appropriate State of Illinois test in the content area must be received in the College of Education at least 30 days prior to the beginning of the student teaching semester in order to be allowed to student teach.

Credits

6