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Learn About Student Teaching with 51����’s Teaching Programs 

Explore education degree programs and connect with an admissions counselor for personalized help with the admissions process.  

An important part of earning a teaching degree is the practical experience you’ll gain through student teaching. Student teaching allows prospective educators access to real-world classroom settings and to receive unparalleled mentorship.

At 51����, we work with you to find the right student teaching placement that is tailored to your program and to your unique experience and situation. Every student’s circumstances are different and we work closely with you to identify a student teaching pathway that meets licensure requirements while considering your work schedule, family responsibilities and career goals. It is important to note that student teaching is always going to involve some sacrifice but that it is ultimately worth it in order to obtain your license and teaching position.
 

Student Teaching: Frequently Asked Questions

Is Student Teaching Experience Required for Licensure?

Yes, student teaching is a component of teacher licensure required by the . There are a variety of ways Pacific students in our programs complete the TSPC student teaching requirement depending on their employment situation and individual circumstance.

Do I Need to Find My Own Student Teaching Placement?

No, if you are a Pacific student in one of our teaching programs, we have a placement coordinator who will secure a placement that meets TSPC’s requirements for licensure in your chosen endorsement area. You will have the opportunity to identify placement preferences and locations of interest, and Pacific’s placement coordinator will work with the district on your behalf.

What is Student Teaching?

Typically taking place near the end of your degree, student teaching places professional teacher licensure candidates directly into a real classroom where they work alongside experienced teachers to develop teaching strategies and prepare for licensure. Generally, but not always, student teaching placements are unpaid positions.

Student teachers work in settings that align with their specialization. Special educators will intern in special education classes, elementary education majors — who have special access to Pacific’s Early Learning Community, a primary school environment right on the Forest Grove Campus — will intern in K-5 environments, and so on.

51����’s partnership with the in Tualatin provides another unique opportunity for student teaching by entering the Arbor School Teacher Residency Program. Students in this program spend two years immersed in the Arbor School, where they work in the classroom throughout their program, receiving a stipend and the option to live on campus.

What Do You Do as a Student Teacher?

Student teachers collaborate with their mentor teachers to gain valuable teaching experience and learn teaching strategies. During student teaching, student teachers assume the full role, responsibilities and schedule of a full time classroom teacher. Student teacher responsibilities include:

• Leading class. Observed by licensed educators who provide invaluable feedback, student teachers gain hands-on experience managing classrooms and teaching core concepts. 
   
• Creating and grading assignments. Assessing the state of a classroom and tailoring activities and classwork to meet students’ needs is an essential aspect of problem solving as a teacher.
   
• Creating lesson plans. Student teachers share duties with their host teacher, and collaborating on lesson plans is a good way to put educational theories learned in your program into practice. 
   
• Helping students. In group settings or individually, student teachers work with students to meet their needs and thrive both intellectually and emotionally. They provide targeted support to students consistent with IEP and 504 plans.

How Long is Student Teaching?

In Oregon, you are required to complete at least to qualify for a Preliminary Teaching License. This clinical practice typically takes about 15 weeks (at 40 hours per week). But, depending on your teaching program, there can be some flexibility in student teaching.

For example, students in Pacific’s one-year MAT program complete 90 hours of field experience (observe/assist) in the fall semester, followed by 15 weeks of full-time student teaching in the spring semester. But in the two-year MAT program, Pacific students complete their 90 hours of field experience (observe/assist) through two placements — 45 hours in the first year spring semester, and 45 hours in the second year fall semester — followed by 15 weeks of full-time student teaching in the second year spring semester.

What is the Goal of Student Teaching?

Student teaching allows you to put what you’ve learned from your degree into practice, all while gaining insight from experienced professionals. Student teaching also allows students to experiment and hone their skills to create a teaching style that is unique, enabling them to uplift students in and out of the classroom.

“Pacific graduates come into schools almost acting like second-year teachers…The program really prepares you for the day-to-day challenges of the classroom.”

– Becky Tengs ’08
 

Student Teaching Questions: Lightning Round

Can I Meet Field Experience Requirements if I Already Work as a Paraprofessional?

Yes, if you are a paraprofessional with access to at least one classroom where your content area is taught, you may be able to complete the 90 hours of field experience as part of your paraprofessional position.

Does Working as a Substitute Teacher Qualify as Field Experience?

No, You cannot complete field experience hours as a substitute teacher since the intent is to observe and assist an experienced educator. In this situation, you may accept substitute positions around your scheduled field experience hours.

Is a Student Teaching Placement Full-Time or Half-Time?

Student teaching placements can be flexible — both full-time and half-time can be options. Half-time student teaching placements can be a good option for those already working in schools as paraprofessionals or substitute teachers while also earning their teaching degree.

For example, if you already work as a paraprofessional, you could work half-day mornings for four hours as a paraprofessional, and then student teach in the afternoon for four hours. Or, you could work as a student teacher on A days, and then work as a substitute teacher on B days.

Can I Complete Student Teaching in My Own Classroom?

Yes, if you are employed as a classroom teacher at least half-time (0.5 FTE) in your endorsement area during the final school year you are enrolled in a teaching program, you will be able to complete student teaching requirements in your own classroom. This allows you to earn a salary while meeting licensure requirements.

Student Teaching Questions: Examples from Pacific students' experiences

I Work Full-Time Outside of Education. Can I Still Become a Teacher?

Absolutely. Many candidates successfully complete one of Pacific's teaching programs while transitioning from another career. Here’s an example of how one Pacific student made it work.

Kevin's Story

Kevin worked full-time outside of education while pursuing licensure. Here’s how he adjusted his schedule to make student teaching work:

• During the fall semester, he adjusted his work schedule to complete his required 90 field experience hours.
• In the spring, he took a temporary leave of absence from his job to complete 15 weeks of full-time student teaching.
• After student teaching, he returned to his previous job until securing his first teaching position for the following school year.

Kevin found the spring commitment challenging but manageable and was able to successfully transition into teaching. 

Can I Continue Earning Income While Completing Student Teaching?

Possibly. Some students create schedules that allow them to continue working while meeting program requirements. Here’s an example of how one Pacific student made it work.

Lex's Story

Lex was working as a substitute teacher while preparing to become a high school teacher. They completed student teaching by:

• Serving as a student teacher on A days throughout the school year.
• Working as a substitute teacher on B days.

This arrangement allowed Lex to gain valuable classroom experience without interruption to their income.

I Already Work in a School. Can that Help with Student Teaching?

In some cases. Students who work in schools can find creative ways to collaborate with their district and school administrator to complete student teaching requirements while maintaining employment. It depends on a district and administration being able to create a work schedule that allows for student teaching requirements to take place. Here’s an example of how one Pacific student made it work.

Denise's Story

Denise worked as a paraprofessional in a school where she hoped to teach after earning licensure. She collaborated with her administrator to adjust her work schedule so she could complete student teaching requirements while remaining employed. The arrangement allowed her to build strong relationships within the school community, and she later became a licensed teacher at the same school.

Questions about your teaching program application? Chat with our admissions counselor.

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