Fall semester student teaching provides continuity in field placements, allows individuals to participate in the opening of a new school year, to begin their student teaching before classroom routines and expectations are set, complete the full number of required hours within one semester, and to have their credential files completed in time for spring semester job interviews. Faculty resources and prerequisite course sequence requirements are additional factors in scheduling student teaching. Student Teaching Field Placement Students are placed as close to the Illinois Wesleyan campus as possible. In the case of music, placements are made in consultation with the Director of Music Education. Students are generally placed in close enough proximity so that weekly seminar requirements can be met.
Students are responsible for their own transportation.
In no case does the student initiate a contact with a school administrator or cooperating teacher to arrange a placement. Students are not placed in the elementary or secondary school which they attended, or in which a relative is currently employed. Site selection is made in part to enable supervision by IWU faculty, except in the case of approved, alternative placements through the Urban Education Program in Chicago. All placements are subject to approval by representatives of the off-campus site. Extra-Curricular Activities Student teaching requires students' extensive time, commitment, and involvement.