Criteria for Applying to Student Teach

In order to student teach, students must apply for and receive permission from the Education Department of Hope College. Students must meet specific criteria and complete an application process in order to be considered and approved for student teaching.

DEADLINES FOR APPLICATION

* 1st Friday in November of Junior year for students wishing to student teach during the Fall semester of the Senior year.

* 1st Friday in March of Junior year for students wishing to student teach during the Spring semester of the Senior year.

* For graduates and transfers, application to student teach should be completed no later than the end of the first semester on-campus.

Students applying after these deadlines have no assurance that their applications will be considered and approved for student teaching during the requested semester. Extension of the professional education sequence may be necessary.

CRITERIA FOR APPROVAL TO STUDENT TEACH

The following criteria must be met by the time the student teaching experience begins. Some items may be in process, however, when the student applies for permission to student teach.

1. Acceptance to the Teacher Education Program at Hope College.

2. Minimum GPA of 2.75-effective for incoming students 2008-2009 (on a 4.0 scale) in:

• Overall coursework at Hope College
• Coursework in major area of study
• Coursework in minor area of study
• Teacher Education coursework

This means that students must have the required GPAs in order to be approved. Approval will be withdrawn if any of the GPA’s fall below a 2.75, before the student teaching experience begins.
Approved by Education faculty on August 19, 2003

3. Successful completion of all coursework in the Professional Education Sequence.

4. Evidence of ability to work effectively in the classroom as demonstrated in field experiences in professional education coursework.

5. Recommendation to student teach from field placement supervisors from ED 254, ED 281, ED 283, ED 286, ED 311, ED 357, ED 358, and ED 361.

6. Evidence of field placement experiences with students in a CULTURALLY DIVERSE setting and also with EXCEPTIONAL INDIVIDUALS.

7. Endorsement from the department chairperson in major field of study.

8. Evidence of grades of C+ or higher in all Level II and Level III education coursework.

PROCEDURES

Students will be notified by e-mail of a meeting regarding the application process.

1. A Student Teaching Application must be electronically submitted on-line by the stated deadline. To apply click here.

2. Student must submit a resume to the Office of Career Services using a new program entitled "Optimal Resume" click here for more information

3. The Education Department will request an endorsement from the chairperson of the department of the major field of study.

4. Requests for special off-campus student teaching placements must be approved in advance by the Education Department.

a) Chicago Semester* (separate application required)
b) Rosebud Indian Reservation
c) Philadelphia Semester
d) Liverpool
*Off-campus options are significantly limited during the Spring Semester.

5. Students typically may not student teach in a school district where they previously attended, with the exception of some possible placements at the elementary level.

6. Students will be asked to interview with school personnel (administrator, cooperating teacher) prior to confirming the placement.

7. Once a placement is confirmed, changes will not be made, unless deemed necessary by the Director of Student Teaching.

8. Fingerprinting/Criminal Background Check.

NOTES

1. Responsibility for smooth matriculation from admission to certification rests with the student. The student is responsible for reading the Education Department Handbook and following procedures and deadlines outlined therein.

2. While effort is made to assist the student, the Department is not responsible for transportation to and from student teaching placements. A fee will be charged to student teachers that request placements that are an excessive distance from the college.

NOTIFICATION

Based on the above criteria and procedures, the Education Department carefully considers applications to student teach. Each student will be notified in writing of the Department’s decision to approve or deny the application.

APPEALS

Students who have been denied permission to student teach may appeal the decision. Procedures are outlined in the Appeals Process section of the website.