Student Teaching Programs
When you choose Chicago for your student teaching experience, you can look forward to an exemplary experience in urban education. Illinois State University students that student teach in Chicago Public Schools (CPS - District #299) are able to take advantage of the strong partnership between ISU, CPS and Chicago communities.
ISU student teachers are typically placed in a partner school in Auburn Gresham, Albany Park, East Garfield Park, Little Village, and Pilsen*. ISU has chosen these Chicago neighborhoods carefully and has formed partnerships with the CPS schools in the community as well as community-based organizations (CBOs) to make student teaching meaningful as an urban education experience.
*Placement decisions are made with the student's certification needs as the top priority and may be made outside of the partner schools if necessary.
PICS (Pipeline Immersion Community Schools)
NCUE works with all ISU colleges and departments to find student teaching placements in Chicago that match the requirements for certification for each program. We place ISU students from Elementary Education, Early Childhood Education, Middle Level Education, Bilingual Education, Special Education, Secondary Education (all content areas), Foreign Languages, Music, Art, Theatre, Health, and Physical Education. For more information on the PICS program, contact Jennifer O'Malley.
PDS (Professional Development Schools)
The Chicago PDS provides Elementary and Bilingual majors with an opportunity to have a year-long experience in Chicago. In the first semester, PDS students are in CPS classrooms with students three days per week and have the opportunity to experience two schools in two different Chicago communities. Students also finish their remaining coursework two days per week, and are taught on site by ISU faculty based in Chicago. In the second semester, students return to one of their fall school sites for formal student teaching. For more information on the Chicago PDS, contact Marypat Robertson.
INFUSE (Innovative Network of Future Urban Special Educators) Field Base & Student Teaching
The INFUSE program offers ISU Special Education students (LBS, LVB & DHH programs) the opportunity to complete both field base and student teaching semesters in Chicago Public Schools, enabling students to complete a year-long experience across two separate CPS school sites, often in two different Chicago communities. For more information on INFUSE field base and student teaching, contact Ashley Wolinski.
Professional Development Seminars
ISU students that choose Chicago Public Schools (CPS) as their student teaching placement are expected to participate in a comprehensive orientation and professional development program throughout the semester. ISU CTEP, in collaboration with our partner community-based organizations, developed the seminar series due to extensive student feedback regarding their needs during student teaching in CPS.
These sessions will enrich your student teaching experience and offer you enhanced support throughout the semester. There are no costs for these sessions for ISU student teachers. A schedule with the topics, dates and times for the Professional Development seminar series will be provided to ISU students prior to the start of each semester.
Employment
ISU student teachers who complete their student teaching in Chicago Public Schools are eligible for the CPS Early Offer program (guaranteed employment for high need teachers as defined annually by the district). In addition, during your semester or year in Chicago, you will receive employment support on all of the steps to CPS employment from both ISU CTEP and the CPS Talent Office. In addition, CTEP is often contacted directly by school administrators looking to fill teaching vacancies with ISU candidates. In order to match you to available positions, please complete the Employment Service Form.
Note: CPS operates as a decentralized hiring district where principals make final decisions on the staff in their building. After completing the CPS application, Early Offer program requirements if applicable, and the Employment Service form, you are encouraged to search for positions that are the best fit for you by researching schools, contacting administrators directly, and interviewing as needed.