Clinical Experience Information

At Illinois Wesleyan University, you will be able to observe and work with children in the very first course you take, Education and Social Justice. This is a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in classrooms during your first year in college. By the time you are ready to student teach, you will have spent at least 100 hours in the classroom. In most cases, you will student teach in the same school with the same teacher with whom you will have worked during the previous semester. In addition, all student teaching occurs during the fall semester. This way, you will start the school year with your cooperating teacher, planning the year in advance, while getting to know your students as soon as they return from their summer vacations. 

Here's what IWU students are saying about their clinical experiences:

"I could not have asked for a better individual to be my cooperating teacher. Also, the school in which I was placed is nothing short of exceptional."
"My cooperating teacher really pushed me outside my comfort zone but kept me confident by giving me good feedback."
"Each of my observation conferences were very helpful in giving me guidance and instruction on how to better myself as a teacher. My supervisor was always professional and provided positive and constructive feedback. I felt that she really cared about my well-being and wanted to see me succeed."

Information for Cooperating Teachers, IWU Supervisors, and Educational Studies Students

Pre-Student Teaching

Student Teaching