Prior to beginning the student teaching process, candidates must complete a series of tasks to ensure they are fully prepared to handle the responsibilities involved with student teaching. The application process begins at least two semesters prior to the anticipated student teaching semester. Initiation of the student teaching process begins with:
- Downloading and submitting a Notification of Intent to Student Teach
- Meeting with the UTP Field Experience Coordinator to discuss your Individualized Student Teaching Plan (ISTP)
The student teaching experience and placement of pre-service teacher candidates at Metropolitan State University is determined through consideration of four key factors, which are combined to produce an individualized student teaching plan in which participants are able to fulfill state practicum requirements for new teachers receiving first-time certification through the Minnesota Board of Teaching.
- Meeting with the major advisor to review your academic progress toward completing all GELS and content area requirements.
At least one semester before you plan to student teach, schedule a meeting with the Education Advisor to review your academic progress toward completing all EDU courses and your draft ISTP. Also, submit these completed documents to the Field Experience Coordinator:
- Signed ISTP
- Course Completion Form
- Documentation of Urban Field Experiences
- Resumé
- Student Teaching Application Essay
The 1-2 page application essay answers the following questions, Why do you want to be an urban (subject area/grade level) teacher? What are your specific goals during teaching? What are some of your strengths that will help you be a successful urban teacher?
It is highly recommended that you pass all parts of the PPST Exam prior to beginning your student teaching experience. When you have submitted the above documentation, the Field Experience Coordinator will make a placement request for you to student teach at a cooperating urban school. Ideally, your placement will be one of your top two choices of district, school and age/grade level. However, we are bound by the needs and demands of schools and universities. The sooner your paper work is in, the sooner we can begin to plan your placement.