Department of Teaching

Linking coursework to experience

Helping you become a teacher is what we're all about. Our primary role: coordinating many of your field experiences for UNI Teacher Education at all levels — early childhood, elementary, middle level and high school, or secondary education. 

With full-time faculty and staff coordinating your placements — which sets us apart among Iowa’s Regents’ institutions — we’ll work with you on placements that fit the experience you need and seek in settings that range near and far. Thanks to our network of contacts built across Iowa and beyond, your opportunities are wide-ranging and diverse as you prepare for your future classrooms. 

2000+

Total Placements Annually 

For hands-on experience beginning early and often — locally, across the nation and the world. 

 

275 + 1,000

Districts and Mentors 

Annually, about 275 school districts and 1,000 mentor teachers partner with UNI to prepare future teachers.  

 

500

Student Teachers

Coordinating nearly 250 student teacher placements per semester — or 500 annually — in two 8-week placements in Pre-K-12 schools.  

I am forever impressed by Leasha Henriksen and her approach with student teachers. She tells it like it is, finds the positives and supports these young teachers immensely. The program and evaluation is designed for student success, the expectations are rigorous, and the students who complete the entire four years through UNI are exceptionally prepared to teach!

Kimberly Miers
Mentor Teacher, Cedar Rapids

Quality, Depth & Choice in the Field

Getting started

Level 1 placements let you explore the world of teaching, usually in your freshman year for first-year students. The Department of Teaching places nearly 250 students on average in classrooms in the diverse Waterloo Community School District each semester. You’ll observe classrooms in action and get a better sense of the role of a teacher. 

Level 2 gets you more actively involved. You’ll be among the 230 or so students taking your first steps in developing lesson plans, teaching these lessons in Pre-K-12 classrooms, learning to reflect on your experiences and documenting the process of teaching. The department works with mentor teachers in Cedar Falls and other Cedar Valley schools at this level.

Level 1 and Level 2 teaching placements

The final step 

It all comes together with student teaching, with two eight-week placements, often at different schools, though it varies by teaching major. We place about 250 student teachers each semester, in settings that range from small rural schools to large metro areas both in and out of Iowa. The department’s student teaching coordinators in nine regions liaison with mentor teachers, oversee your progress and add to your preparation with professional development seminars and resources.   

Student teaching the final step

Beyond our borders

From Minnesota and want to student teach in your home district? Looking for a different adventure, say in Houston? Or ready to learn and grow on a Native American reservation or in an international setting? 

A strong out-of-state and international teaching program make that possible. If we don’t have an agreement with some place you’re interested in, student teaching coordinator Carrie Elser is happy to see what we can arrange. 

Interesting spots from the past: Indonesia and Costa Rica to name a few! 

Student teaching overseas and out of state

Getting started

Level 1 placements let you explore the world of teaching, usually in your freshman year for first-year students. The Department of Teaching places nearly 250 students on average in classrooms in the diverse Waterloo Community School District each semester. You’ll observe classrooms in action and get a better sense of the role of a teacher. 

Level 2 gets you more actively involved. You’ll be among the 230 or so students taking your first steps in developing lesson plans, teaching these lessons in Pre-K-12 classrooms, learning to reflect on your experiences and documenting the process of teaching. The department works with mentor teachers in Cedar Falls and other Cedar Valley schools at this level.

Level 1 and Level 2 teaching placements

The final step 

It all comes together with student teaching, with two eight-week placements, often at different schools, though it varies by teaching major. We place about 250 student teachers each semester, in settings that range from small rural schools to large metro areas both in and out of Iowa. The department’s student teaching coordinators in nine regions liaison with mentor teachers, oversee your progress and add to your preparation with professional development seminars and resources.   

Student teaching the final step

Beyond our borders

From Minnesota and want to student teach in your home district? Looking for a different adventure, say in Houston? Or ready to learn and grow on a Native American reservation or in an international setting? 

A strong out-of-state and international teaching program make that possible. If we don’t have an agreement with some place you’re interested in, student teaching coordinator Carrie Elser is happy to see what we can arrange. 

Interesting spots from the past: Indonesia and Costa Rica to name a few! 

Student teaching overseas and out of state
Megan Balong
In the Classroom

Leading on Human Relations

While much of the Department of Teaching’s focus is on field experience, our faculty and staff also make an impact in the classroom. With a team built of professionals who have “been there, done that” as teachers and administrators, this class is a natural for us. Together, we’ll explore the expectations of teaching in diverse environments and what this means to you as professional educators.