Office of Professional Educator Services

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Instructions For Applying For Admission To Student Teaching

Read This Page Carefully Prior To Clicking On The Epass Link At Bottom Of Page

Be sure you have met all prerequisites 

• With the exception of Fall 2021, applications will be accepted for the Fall semester from the last week in August through September 15 one year prior to student teaching (example: If you plan on student teaching Fall 2021, please make application Fall 2020). Spring semester applications will be accepted from January through February 15 one year prior to student teaching (example: if you plan on student teaching Spring 2022, please make application Spring 2021). NO application will be accepted after these dates.
• All requirements must be met and applications must be committee approved by the following dates or your application will be withdrawn. Fall applications must be committee approved by June 1st. Spring applications must be committee approved by November 1st .
• Indicate your major – Elementary, Middle Grade, Secondary, 5-12, P-12, Special Ed., or IECE. Indicate the certification subject area of your major – English, Math, PE, Art, etc.
• If you have an interest in completing a portion of your student teaching internationally, click on the box and indicate ‘YES’. You will be invited (via email) to an informational meeting after student teaching applications have been processed.
• Clearly indicate your assignment request. You are required to list three (3) school districts of preference. Out-of-State requests will not be granted unless it is for extenuating circumstances. Additional costs may apply. Please send a detailed email to cindy.white@wku.edu. Please call 270-745-4896 to request a meeting with the Director of OPES
  • Out-of-Area requests will be granted if we are able to find a university supervisor in that district. If we are unable to find a university supervisor, you will have to student teach within WKU’s service area. http://wku.edu/teacherservices/images/wku_service_area_map.jpg
• List any specific schools where you cannot student teach. You cannot student teach in the high school from which you graduated (less than 10 yrs.) nor a school at any level with which you have close family or social ties. (This does NOT include schools where you have served as a substitute teacher.)
• Sign the application form using electronic signature. Your application will NOT be processed without your signature.
• Your assignment constitutes an obligation on your part and your plans should provide for meeting this assignment. Changes in assignments should never be requested except in cases of the most extenuating circumstances, as they reflect negatively upon the university and you. Please notify the Student Teaching Office ASAP if you will be unable to fulfill this obligation.
• Once you have received your placement(s), it is your responsibility to report to the school district to do a ten-finger criminal record check and a CAN check. The fee for the criminal record check and CAN check must be paid by money order or cashier's. (No personal checks). If you have a CAN check on file, please provide a copy to the school district.) Please call the school district office for further details and to set up an appointment.

 

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Once the application has been completed, You will receive an email instructing you to complete the remaining documents for student teaching:

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR STUDENT TEACHING

1. Student Teaching Data Form
2. Physical Form – this document is valid for one year and cannot expire during student teaching
3. TB Risk Assessment – this document is valid for one year and cannot expire during student teaching
4. PBiS (Promoting Positive Behavior in Schools) I & II
5. Student Teaching Course Registration
6. Liability Insurance Options available
   1. It is mandatory that all student teachers have liability insurance on file prior to the first day of student teaching. This document cannot expire during student teaching.

REGISTRATION FOR STUDENT TEACHING

You must register for student teaching just as you would for any other course. Completion of this application does not constitute registration. Please check with your advisor about clearing registration HOLDS for EDU 489 or SPED 434 – Student Teaching Seminar. For SMED 489 (science and math students only), contact Martha Day, martha.day@wku.edu for clearance to register.

ORIENTATION

You are required to attend an orientation session for student teachers prior to reporting to student teaching.

CERTAIN COURSEWORK MAY NOT BE TAKEN DURING STUDENT TEACHING without written permission from the Director of Professional Education.

If you are planning to take a course during student teaching, you must email the Student Teaching Office, cindy.white@wku.edu , to ensure that it does not conflict with state or university regulations.