Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I apply for student teaching?
   Information is available on your program's web site.
   
   
2. When do I apply?
   The deadlines will vary. Submit an application for placement to your advisor as far in advance as you can.
   
   
3. What are the prerequisites for student teaching?
   1. Completion of 100 observation hours of which 15 hours must be in special education classes.
   2. An Illinois criminal background check
   3. A copy of your TB test results
   4. Mandated reporter documentation
   5. Satisfactory completion of all required coursework
      
      
4. How do I request a background check?
   Review the Criminal Background Check, TB Test and Mandated Reporting‌ document, located on the NCE Student Materials page,  for requesting and submitting a background check.
   
   
5. Do I have to interview for a student teaching position?
   
   1. Expect to interview. Interviews are almost always conducted for Secondary Education placements, while other programs may also use interviews for placement.
   2. Knowledge of content area or interest in a grade level may be a main topic of discussion. Otherwise, the interview is an opportunity for school personnel to determine whether the placement is a good match for both you and the school.
   3. Dress professionally; show enthusiasm for your profession and the school, and let them know you are eager to learn and excited to be interviewing.
      
      
6. Where will I be placed during my student teaching?
   Placement locations vary depending on availability. We do, however, consider location, program, level, and suitability when making the placement.
   
   
7. In what counties in Illinois are student teachers from the National College of Education placed?
   1. Region I: Central & North Cook
   2. Region II: Central & South Cook
   3. Region III: Southwest Cook & South Lake
   4. Region IV: Will & DuPage
   5. Region V: Kane & McHenry
   6. Region VI: Kendall, DeKalb & LaSalle
   7. Region VII: Will, Kankakee, & Grundy
      
      
8. When will I hear about my placement?
   
   1. Once we send your application to a partner school, the time allotted for a response varies depending on the school's own policy for placement. If the clinical placement coordinator has not heard back from a school within a reasonable period of time, the school is contacted again until we have a decision.
   2. You will be notified when a positive decision is received. If we receive a negative decision and need further information from you regarding placement options, you will be contacted. Once the clinical placement coordinator receives your official confirmation form from a school, you will receive a phone call, letter, or e-mail that includes the following: name, address and phone number of the school, start and end date and name of your cooperating teacher(s). Once all students have received their placements, you will receive literature from the individual department that includes: your placement, name and phone number of your NLU supervisor and time, date and location of all mandatory seminars.
      
      
9. When will I start my student teaching?
   The partner school in conjunction with National Louis University will set dates.
   
   
10. What are my main responsibilities as a student teacher?
    
    1. As guests in the site school, you are expected to act professionally at all times and participate as fully as possible in the life of the school. By the end of the 10-12 week assignment, you should have had a minimum of 6 weeks with all the responsibilities of a full-time teacher.
    2. Note: The Elementary Education program requirement is minimum of 10 consecutive days.
       
       
11. How many cooperating teachers will I have?
    Sometimes, one teacher's class load will not meet your student teaching needs. Therefore, multiple teachers may combine portions of their class load in order to provide one full-time teacher load. Also, some schools require that all student teachers be assigned multiple cooperating teachers.
    
    
12. What about scholarships?
    Think about applying for the Patricia Cassin Graft Student Teacher Assistance Fund for the $3,000 in tuition assistance awards available to graduate or undergraduate NCE students. Get more information here.
    
    
13. Anything else I need to know?
    
    1. Keep copies of everything.
    2. Some schools may request a copy of your TB results.
    3. Some schools may request a copy of your criminal background check. Keep the original to show, upon request, to schools in which you are doing any type of observation. While not all schools are currently requesting to see the checks, the number of schools wanting verification that a person has passed the background check is growing. So keep yours with you if it is needed.
    4. Bring copies of these documents to the school on your first day of student teaching, just in case.
       
       
14. May I, if I wish, do my student teaching in another country?
    Yes, there is another application required. Contact Fred Chesek at fchesek@nl.edu.
    
    
15. If I plan to visit a Chicago public school for an observation, practicum or student teaching experience, will I have to meet some additional requirements?
    Yes, before visiting any Chicago public school,  you must meet certain Chicago Public Schools requirements found at their Web site.