OpportunitiesDepartment of Education

At most colleges and universities, education students don't begin working in classrooms until their last year. But Gustavus knows that effective educators need diverse experiences throughout their teacher preparation. That's why the Gustavus Education Department requires students to begin observing and teaching in classrooms through student-teaching before they're officially accepted into the program. Explore the numerous opportunities available through your four-year journey.

Discover the Opportunities with Education

  • Student-Teaching A core part of teacher training is a semester spent student-teaching off campus. Gustavus faculty work with students to learn about their career aspirations to find school placements that are aligned with the goals and areas of interests. Student-teaching is usually done your last semester at Gustavus, but it will not be your first time in a K-12 classroom. Your exposure to students and teaching will start before you are even admitted to the program and continue until you receive your student-teaching semester.

    A typical student-teaching experience will consist of two 7-week sessions in different classrooms to give you a broader base to build upon. Those with K-12 majors will teach in all three age levels: elementary, middle school, and secondary. You will meet with your teacher-candidate cohort six days throughout the semester via EDU 399 and the Student-Teaching Seminar. You will also have a college supervisor who will be in weekly contact with you to offer support, share teaching ideas and suggestions, and enhance your overall development as an educator. A hallmark of the Gustavus Education experience is how much support and time they get from their EDU “team,” and weekly supervisor meetings is one example of that.

    Set up a time with the Admissions and Placement Coordinator in the Education Department to talk about that four-year plan if you haven't already. Along with admissions and advising, this person also manages student-teaching placements.

  • Global Educators The Gustavus Global Educators Program is an innovative program that places student-teachers in locations to experience teaching and living in environments different from their home communities. Students expand their skills by utilizing culturally based teaching and learning strategies that are unique to each school and its cultural context. By forging connections and learning from the diverse perspectives at their host school, Global Educators leave their program prepared to educate students from diverse backgrounds and to lead their future classrooms.

  • Classroom Experiences It is important for students to learn the methods for how to become a good teacher, and equally important to experience different classrooms and teachers in the field. Observations off campus start in the first year, with many opportunities to shadow and work in classrooms. Some of these experiences include Wednesdays in the Workplace, AVID tutoring, and four weeks of practicum placement prior to student-teaching.

  • Student Organizations The Education Department supports a student organization that offer social and professional development opportunities:

    • Student Educators Association (SEA) provides many opportunities outside the Department of Education for students wishing to complete the teacher education program. These opportunities include teacher panels, speakers from other colleges and universities, faculty forums from area school districts, professional development opportunities, and activities that encourage strong personal relationships between members and faculty.

    This organization is involved in supporting education majors and are active as part of the larger Gustavus community of clubs and organizations.

  • Facilities The Education Department is housed in Anderson Hall. This amazing space cultivates a sense of community among the students and faculty in the Department and provides resources, equipment, and space to effectively learn how to teach.