2.02 Philosophy of Student Teaching

The student teaching program at University of Northwestern – St. Paul is grounded in the principle that theory is most effectively learned and applied when linked with practice; therefore, the methods courses are generally accompanied with pre-student teaching methods clinicals in the respective content areas.  Student teaching, the culmination of a gradual induction into teaching, is full time for the assigned weeks in the student teaching semester.

In addition to keeping the same schedule as the cooperating teacher(s), the candidate is expected to participate, if permitted, in all professional activities in which the cooperating teacher(s) engages.  It is intended that the active, practical nature of student teaching in public, charter, and/or private schools gives the candidate authentic experience in the teaching profession. All of the candidate’s pre-student teaching, methods clinical, and student teaching experiences combine for a broad, varied, and practical experience in terms of maturity levels, cultural and ethnic backgrounds of the students, curriculum implementation, and appropriate instructional strategies. The internship experiences across each candidate’s program are designed to provide wide exposure to examples of research-supported best practices in the profession.