Professional Educator License Preparation

In their university classrooms and field experiences, McKendree teacher candidates have many opportunities to explore curriculum, practice teaching methods and use technology. From the beginning of the Teacher Education Program candidates are given increasing opportunities to interact with K-12 students. In the earliest field experience candidates are given exposure to both elementary and secondary grade levels. This first field experience is largely observational in nature. As candidates progress through the program the length and intensity of field experiences increase requiring more hours and allowing more student involvement. The final field experience is a semester of full-time student teaching. Candidates are placed in various grade levels and settings where they are mentored by experienced cooperating teachers who are willing and eager to help mold these future teachers.