FAQ

What does Student Teaching involve?

During your student teaching semester you will report to your assigned public school with your assigned mentor teacher as if you were the teacher of that classroom. Student teaching courses do not meet on the UNT campus. If you are an undergraduate elementary student participating in a Professional Development School (PDS), then you will be required to attend seminars scheduled by your PDS Coordinator.

What is the time commitment with Student Teaching?

Although student teaching is 6 credit hours you should consider yourself a full-time student because you are expected to be on your assigned campus all day five days a week. While on a field campus in a school district you are required to keep the contract hours for all employed teachers on that campus. You may need to stay after school to prepare lessons you will be teaching, attend meetings or attend school sponsored functions.

Can I take other classes while Student Teaching?

EDSE 4350 or EDSP 4360 courses that are on your certification plan are required to be taken with PDS 2 (Student Teaching).   You cannot take courses during the school day.  If you want to take an additional course during student teaching or Professional Development School (PDS) 1, you must appeal using the appropriate appeal form found on the Student Advising Website. 

Can I have courses remaining on my degree plan to finish after Student Teaching?

You can have up to 9 hours remaining on your degree plan, but the courses may not be any education courses or courses related to your teaching field.  Student teaching should be your final semester.  Advisor approval would be needed if this is not the case.  This situation could possibly require an appeal to the ARR Committee as well as being approved by an advisor.

When does the Student Teacher’s day begin and end?

As a student teacher, you should report to your campus when your mentor teacher is required to report to their campus and you may not leave until your mentor teacher’s teaching day is complete. It is suggested that student teacher’s should mirror their mentor teacher’s arrival and departure time.

Whose holiday schedule do I follow? The University or the School District?

Student teachers follow the holiday schedule that the school district follows. Your beginning day and ending day of student teaching is set forth by the University.

I am required to attend district staff development days?

Yes, you are required to attend all school district staff development days.

What is the absence policy during Student Teaching?

Student teachers are expected to be present every day of student teaching. In the case of a serious illness or emergency, the student teacher should notify his/her mentor teacher and the university supervisor no later than 7:00 a.m. the morning of the absence. Unless approved by the university supervisor, the office of Field Experience and the host school administration, any absence from student teaching will need to be made up.

Who do I contact about fingerprinting and the TExES exam?

Contact the Testing Advising Office at 940-369-8601 or visit: www.coe.unt.edu/texes for any questions regarding the TExES or fingerprinting.