Classroom ExperiencesDepartment of Education

Observation and practice are key elements of the teacher training experience at Gustavus. There are opportunities starting in the first year through senior year for our students to gain a wide range of experiences with different teachers, classes, and young learners. 

Career Orientation to Teaching: EDU 268

EDU268 is a January Term course that provides an opportunity to assess interest in a teaching career. Most people do this during their first year at Gustavus and shadow a teacher of their choice. Students do not have to be an Education major to take the course. However, the course is required for Education majors before applying to the program.

Study Buddies Tutoring

As part of the EDU230 class, students volunteer for a semester with Study Buddies. The program benefits Saint Peter schools by providing teaching assistance as requested by teachers. Volunteers work in direct contact with students of all ages and backgrounds, doing whatever tasks are needed—including tutoring, reading support, math support, and other classroom tasks. 

Wednesdays in Workplace

As part of the Foundations block of EDU classes, majors spend time in classrooms at a local middle school, where they observe teachers, support pupils in their classwork, and prepare/deliver brief lessons.

AVID Tutoring

Another form of field experience for K-12 and Secondary Teacher Candidates is the opportunity to serve as peer tutors for local middle and high school students in AVID classrooms. This happens concurrently with Secondary Methods and is designed to give teacher candidates the opportunity to work with and support secondary pupils' learning within a framework that encourages inquiry, independence, and self-directed learning through the AVID lens.

Elementary & Kindergarten practica

Secondary Practicum

Student-Teaching

Student-teaching is the ultimate culmination of all you will learn in your time with the Education Program. Student-teaching is a full semester in one or two classrooms, where teacher candidates get their most authentic preparation and experiences prior to launching their own careers as educators. Majors getting a K-12 license, a dual license, and/or a middle school endorsement to their elementary teaching license may also complete an additional student teaching practicum during January Term.