Student Teaching

The Teacher Education Program at Western Illinois University is focused on the training of future educators for the "real world" in Pre-K-12 schools.

Student teaching is the culminating experience of the teacher education program (16 weeks). It provides candidates with the opportunity to hone their teaching skills in Pre-K-12 classroom and receive regular support, guidance, and feedback from University staff through monthly video conferencing sessions and in-person observation of their teaching.

Student teachers are placed at public school sites (Pre-K-12) in one of 4 identified geographic regions in Illinois in a subject and grade level that corresponds with one of our academic programs in education.

• Agriculture
• Art
• Bilingual
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Early Childhood
• Elementary Education
• English
• French
• History
• Mathematics
• Middle Level Education
• Music
• Physical Education
• Physics
• Spanish
• Special Education

Prior to student teaching, our staff work with candidates to answer questions, successfully complete legal documents and processes*, and provide guidance on connecting with their host school and cooperating (mentor) teacher.

*The National Sex Offender, the Illinois Methamphetamine Manufacturer, and the Illinois State Police Child Murderer and Violent Offender Against Youth registries; Mandatory Report of Child Abuse; Code of Ethics from Fingerprint criminal background investigation report.

More information may be obtained in Horrabin Hall 40; questions may be directed to the Licensure Officer; 309-298-2117.