Application for the Professional Semester
 

Applications for student teaching will be accepted at the Student teaching pre-registration meeting held early each semester (see the School of Education calendar for the date).  Teacher candidates should attend the semester before they plan to student teach.  Late applicants will be placed at the discretion of the Director of Field Experiences, with no placement considered after October 31 (for spring student teaching) and February 28 (for fall student teaching).  Once a placement has been contracted, no changes can be made.  A maximum of two student teaching experiences sponsored by NSU is the extent of the School of Education’s tolerance for achieving recommendations for certification.   

NOTE:  The teacher candidate must NOT contact the school.  All arrangements are to be completed through the Office of Field Experiences.  Failure to comply with this directive may adversely effect the placement!

To qualify for the professional semester, the teacher candidate must have been admitted to teacher education and must have maintained the following minimum grade averages:

(1)  2.6 average in a declared major

(2)  "C" average in a minor field (where applicable)

(3)  a cumulative GPA of 2.60

(4)  all methods courses and professional block courses must have been completed with a grade of C or above and

(5)  no incompletes in any courses.

 

The time for student teaching should be selected carefully since a teacher candidate may NOT enroll in any other course nor be an active participant in any college activity except by special permission from the Director of Field Experiences.  Student teachers should NOT plan to work during their student teaching experience. 

Consideration will be based on written requests and may be referred to the Teacher Education Committee for decision. Written requests should be presented to the Director of Field Experiences during the placement interview.

The School of Education feels that through reflection and commitment to the teaching profession, the successful professional integrates values similar to those below into all expressed attitudes and behaviors:

• To respect, uphold, and defend the ideals of the teaching profession.

• To abide by the SD Code of Profession Ethics for Teachers, to perfect oneself in the skills of teaching, to expand my knowledge of the discipline, and to respect colleagues.

• To continually affirm dedication to the teaching profession, by improving the general welfare, by advancing human understanding and competence, and by bringing honor to teaching and learning.