Student Teaching
The final step
Your journey to becoming a teacher culminates in student teaching.
In this last semester, you’ll be among about 225 to 350 or more student teachers scattered among nearly 90 school districts in Iowa and beyond. Thanks to our extensive network of school district partners, you can find yourself anywhere from Eagle Grove to Ecuador!
Think of student teaching as both an ending and a beginning. Your final step toward licensure. And a gateway to your future.
How It Works
In two eight-week placements in your final semester, you’ll partner and lead classrooms at all levels, from early childhood through high school – whatever matches your career goals.
Dual majoring in middle level? You can expect one placement at that middle level, with another at your chosen elementary or secondary level. Doubling up in early childhood or elementary? You’ll get a placement in each setting.
You’ll be paired with a student teaching coordinator who works with school district partners to place you in one of nine student teaching centers across Iowa plus out-of-state and international placements. These coordinators also conduct professional seminars, oversee your progress and liaison with your mentor teachers.
Requirements
- be fully admitted to the Teacher Education Program
- meet ALL grade point average requirements for student teaching:
- a cumulative GPA of 2.50 or higher on work at all colleges and universities a UNI GPA of 2.50 or higher
- a 2.50 GPA in my academic department (major)
- a 2.50 or higher cumulative GPA and a grade of C- (1.67) or higher in each Professional Education Sequence course (effective January 1, 2009)
- all methods courses listed as prerequisites for student teaching with a grade of C (2.00) or higher as well as other departmental requirements
- NOTE: Check for specific department requirements when more than one professional methods course is required. Early childhood, elementary, middle school/junior high school majors and special education minors are required to have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher and not lower than a C (2.00) in methods courses that are required prerequisites for student teaching
- completed\ the High Risk Behaviors/Substance Abuse seminar
- meet all other departmental requirements
- NOTE: Health education minors and physical education majors are required to have current first aid and CPR certification prior to student teaching
- Retain an acceptable professional disposition
Resources
The following resources are available in your Student Teacher Handbook:
- Forms for before teaching
- Forms for during student teaching
- Notice of concern process
- Licensure information
- Additional resources
Student Teaching Coordinators & Centers
Student teaching coordinators in the College of Education Department of Educational Foundations and Professional Experiences serve all UNI Teacher Education students in student teaching placements in districts in Iowa and beyond. They are located in nine regions across the state.
Greater Cedar Valley (Cedar Falls/Waterloo area): Mary Beth Rygh, Amy Lockhart, Chelsie Byram, Ericka Lang, Jim Stichter
Corridor (Cedar Rapids/Iowa City): Leasha Henriksen
Greater Des Moines: Melanie Hill
North Central (Mason City/Charles City): Kady Korbel
Central Iowa (Marshalltown area): Ronnie Manis
Northeast Iowa: Neil Mullen
Southeast Iowa (Quad Cities/Burlington): Kelly Rohlf
Northwest Iowa: Sheryl Larson
West Iowa and Omaha: Katie Towler
Located on the UNI campus is the coordinator of the Out-of-State/International program: Carrie Elser
Broadening Your Experience
Ready to explore the world while completing your studies? The Out-of-State/International (OOSI) student teaching center lets you combine cross-cultural experiences with teaching and learning during your final semester.
After COVID-19, international placements to Ecuador resumed beginning fall 2022. Beyond Iowa, you’ll find current opportunities in Minnesota, Colorado and Texas.