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Teacher Education Requirements
Clinical Experiences & Student Teaching for Curriculum and Instruction (C&I) Majors
The purpose of clinical experiences and student teaching is to provide you with an opportunity to apply the theory that that was learned in your coursework to the practice that you gain through experience in the field. You will also benefit greatly from the hands-on learning and experience collaborating with a variety of educational professionals.
Pre-student Teaching Clinical Experiences
As a teacher education candidate, you will take education content and method courses that require clinical experiences. Clinical experiences occur in a variety of educational settings and are comprised of many pursuits, including, but not limited to: observation, tutoring/one on one contact, non-instructional assisting, small group instruction, whole class instruction, work with clinical clients, professional meetings, and other approved education related practice experiences for Illinois State students who want to be teachers. Clinical experiences are connected to coursework through learning activities such as reflection and analysis, with one overall purpose of linking theory to practice, including knowledge, skill, and disposition development.
Learn about clinical experiences.
Student Teaching
The student teaching semester is the capstone experience of the teacher education program. Admission to student teaching for all teacher candidates occurs when Gateway 1 and 2 Teacher Education Requirements have been met. You will direct and evaluate the learning activities of a group of pupils under the guidance and supervision of professionally certified and competent members of the teaching profession, including your cooperating teacher(s), school administrators, and student teaching supervisors. Student teaching placement options depend upon the specific program of the C&I major: Elementary-Bilingual, Early Childhood, Elementary, or Middle Level.