The professional semester is the culmination of preparation for teaching. It includes student teaching and seminar class that meets once a week in the afternoon. Those seeking admission to student teaching must meet the criteria as set forth in the Gates Assessment System.

The student teaching experience is an all-day participation for a full 15 week period in the assigned schools. The student teacher is expected to participate in all of the activities expected of the professional teacher.  Since this experience can be of high emotional and physical demands, the student teacher is discouraged from taking additional coursework during the student teaching term. For the same reason students are discouraged from  having outside employment during student teaching.  If for circumstances beyond the control of the student, coursework must be taken, approval from the Dean of the Education Department must be requested.  College athletes should only consider student teaching during their off season(s).

It is recommended that the student teaching experience must be completed in a different school district than any of the two previous field experiences unless permission has been granted from the Director of Clinical Experiences and Partnerships.  Teacher candidates must disclose, to the Director of Clinical Experiences and Partnerships, if placements are in districts or schools which may be prejudicial situations; i.e., a close relative works there, the student recently graduated from that school, or the teacher candidate has children enrolled in the school.

All Lake Erie College students working with school-aged children must pass a background/fingerprint and obtain a Pre-service Teaching Permit or an Ohio substitute teaching license prior to entering a school placement.  All material evidence of passing the background check and obtaining a Pre-service Teaching Permit or Substitute License must be sent to the Lake Erie College Department of Education.  All teacher candidates at LEC must be fingerprinted annually.  Students are responsible for pursuing and obtaining both the background check and Pre-Service Teaching Permit or the Substitute License.  This must be completed at least three weeks prior to the start of the students’ placement. Students must present two forms of identification for background checks, one of which must include a photo ID.  Background checks More information may be obtained from the department office.

Teaching experiences occur in public or private schools where teacher candidates are involved in observations of master teachers and participate in activities that enhance lessons and assist teachers. Actual practice teaching is encouraged and planned according to the requirements of the specific field course/s. Teacher candidates will have opportunities to demonstrate their ability to perform in authentic settings.

Teacher candidates spend substantial time in field classrooms and other field experiences such as tutoring at every step of the program. A minimum of 100 hours is given to field experiences before student teaching.  If a student is pursuing a dual licensure, that student is required to take Fields I, II, and II for a total of 150 hours. The field schools and classrooms are carefully selected to provide students the opportunity to work with master teachers in inclusive classes and in a variety of settings including the following diversities: cultural, socio-economic, racial, and special needs.