Student Teaching

• The completion of the application to student teach must be submitted by the deadline established by the Office of Accreditation, Placement & Licensure. An online application must have been submitted no later than the due date.
• Student teachers are required to read and understand the student teacher handbook before student teaching.
• Individuals need to contact their academic advisor to ensure that all requirements to student teach have been met.
• Individuals who apply to student teach must submit to a criminal background check prior to reporting to a school placement as directed by the Director of Field Experiences.
• Students and UNL Supervisors will use Canvas as their online evaluation tool.
• Students wanting a student teaching placement outside of Nebraska must meet with the Director of Field Experiences prior to applying for student teaching. Please contact the Director of Field Experiences to schedule a meeting.
• Students wanting an international student teaching placement must meet with the Director of Field Experiences prior to applying for student teaching.
• Student teaching candidates are required to attend an orientation session. Dates will be shared after the application review determines eligibility. Students are expected to attend student teaching orientation or the placement will be deactivated for non-attendance.
• Dual majors (ELED/SPED) and ECSE majors need to meet with the Director of Field Experiences before applying to student teach in Alief ISD. The time required for completion and specific experiential requirements of these experiences may not work within the Alief calendar.
• A personal and professional fitness form must be completed and uploaded with your student teaching application. The link to the form can be found at the top of the student teaching application. Please upload and save this form as last name, first name Fitness form, before uploading it.

Practicum experiences at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln consist of all pre-student teaching field experiences that are a part of each professional education program. They may occur as introductory experiences in the early stages of a program or may be a part of a methods experience. Therefore, the requirements for each practicum can vary on the basis of when they are offered in one's program sequence and are influenced by the grade level and endorsement subject area of the student's program. As students progress through different practicum experiences, the requirements become more rigorous.

Students must dress and behave in a professional manner at all times and, are expected to use good judgment and common sense. Finally, students are expected to grow professionally and to improve their skills as educators. Students are encouraged to meet with their respective advisor for more specific information as to the nature of each practicum.

Students are required to complete a minimum of 100 hours in a PreK-12 school setting as part of their practicum experience(s). As part of the 100 hours, 40 hours must be spent in schools offering culturally diverse experiences.

Students who are required in their programs to go into daycare facilities, schools, hospitals or other community agencies must complete a background check before CEHS can place them in these facilities. The background check must be completed through the approved CEHS process and other background checks cannot be substituted.

• Background Check Instructions

• Student Teaching Handbook
• Cover Letter Tips 
• Resume Tips
• Graduate Special Education Practicum – SpEd 896M
• Background Check Instructions
• Great Plains IDEA Certification Checklist

Please refer to the CEHS Career Center or UNL Career Services website for examples of resumes and cover letters. These materials will be shared with your cooperating teacher, supervisor, principal and school district.

Formative Student Teaching Evaluation (word document)

Summative Student Teaching Evaluation (word document)