Student teaching is an integral part of any BS in Elementary Education program and is a critical stepping stone as you move toward a career as an elementary school teacher. Student teaching is required for teacher certification exams, but it’s also a key milestone for any future elementary school teacher, allowing you the chance to get into the classroom and really build your skills leading and working with children.
If you are pursing your bachelor’s in elementary education or considering an elementary school teacher career, you should understand the expectations of student teaching so you can approach your experience prepared to learn and grow.
Why Is Student Teaching Critical for Future Elementary School Teachers?
In every state, future teachers seeking teaching certification must acquire a certain number of in-classroom hours. This critical preparation serves several purposes:
Student teachers turn theory into practice. Classroom learning in BS in Elementary Education programs is crucial, and those preparing for careers in elementary school education read theory, learn strategies, and even participate in mock classroom experiences during their bachelor’s degree programs. Going into the classroom, however, gives student teachers the chance to apply that learning in real-life situations. This is practice for when they will have their own classrooms, and it shows them how to use their knowledge in their day-to-day lives.
Student teachers gain valuable experience. No matter how many situations future teachers imagine or practice, there is nothing like a real classroom of elementary school students to help them learn adaptability, problem-solving, and creative thinking. Elementary school classrooms are unpredictable, and student teachers have a chance to experience that unpredictability in a safe environment, knowing they are still learning under the guidance of a more experienced teacher.
Student teachers build connections that last. All student teachers work in the classroom of an experienced, established teacher. From this, student teachers have the chance to build connections with their supervising teacher as well as other teachers within the school. These relationships can lead to mentorship and a future support network.
Understanding Student Teaching Requirements
Depending on your BS in Elementary Education program, you may be assigned a student teaching position in your neighborhood or you may need to seek a position independently. Many online bachelor’s in education programs, for example, do not facilitate teaching assignments in every state, while some offer help with finding positions no matter where in the country you are located.
When you are exploring on-campus and online BS in Elementary Education programs, be sure you are familiar with each university’s policies and resources for supporting student teaching placements.
You should also check your state’s certification criteria, as different states have different field placement requirements. Some factors that may differ include:
- Number of hours: Some states require hundreds of hours of class time under the supervision of a senior educator.
- Number of months: The required number of consecutive months spent teaching can vary greatly.
- Assessments: Many states require student teachers to complete written assessments and other assignments, or to have specific recommendations from supervisors.
- School settings: Student teachers may be required to work in different settings within a school, or in different school locations, including urban or rural schools.
- Grade levels and specialized subjects: You may need to work in various grades or across multiple, specific subjects, like math and science.
As you decide which BS in Elementary Education program is right for you, be sure your field placement will meet teaching certification requirements for your state. No matter the requirements, you should expect to spend several months completing your required hours in the classroom. You will also be expected to find your own transportation to your field placement, and to follow the professional guidelines of the school in which you work.
Getting the Most of Your Student Teaching Experience
Your student teaching placement is for you; this is an experience that has the potential to help you define your teaching style and even figure out which kind of classroom environment you would like to work in after you acquire your teaching certificate.
Here are some top tips to keep in mind as you begin your placement:
Understand the expectations. It is important that you and your supervising teacher establish clear expectations before you begin your placement. You should know what you hope to learn and achieve during your experience, and be sure you understand what your teaching supervisor expects from you. You will be working together throughout your placement, and your supervisor will evaluate your performance. The more you discuss up front, the better your chances of success in the classroom.
Learn the daily routine. Before you begin, ask your supervising teacher for a day-to-day run-through of how they run their classroom. Do children have morning rug time or weekly mindfulness exercises? When do the children switch classrooms for art or music? How much time do they have for free play outside? The more you know, the more you can plan and prepare for each day ahead.
Be professional. A student teaching assignment is not a school project—it’s a job. You should wear professional clothes that are also appropriate for the day’s activities. It’s also important to be punctual; check with your supervising teacher to see what time you should be arriving at school so you can help ready the classroom each day. Learn policies and procedures. Each school has its own policies for teacher behavior. As a student teacher, you are subject to those policies and it’s important that you adhere to them throughout your field experience. All student teachers are subject to the same laws as other teachers working in elementary schools, so following procedures—like no-touching policies and student confidentiality regulations—will help ensure you have a smooth, successful experience.
Observe, learn, and grow. You are a teacher, but you are, most importantly, a student. You are in a field placement to learn. Watch the senior teachers and ask questions about how they build their lessons, what they have learned, and how they stay motivated in the classroom. Build relationships with the teachers you admire, and learn about their own inspirations and innovations. What you learn from these more experienced teachers may be the foundation of your own teaching style.
Stay grounded. Remember that you are still learning, and no one expects you have all the answers or to know how to solve every challenge. Make time to relax and during your field placement. When you have the opportunity, unwind with your favorite activities and hobbies. You will be working hard all week, and teaching in an elementary school classroom can be an exhausting experience, but the hard work can be energizing, too. Celebrate your successes and enjoy your time learning in a safe environment.
Earn Your BS in Elementary Education Online at Walden University
Walden University offers an online BS in Elementary Education with a curriculum grounded in the foundations of K–6 teaching. The program prepares students to pursue teaching certification, which is required to teach in public schools in the United States.
In the online BS in Elementary Education program, you will take classes in a range of relevant topics, including child development, literacy and mathematics, and classroom management. You will also complete electives from other Walden online programs. The program’s culminating experience is a 12-week placement during which you take full control of the classroom for four consecutive weeks.
If you are ready to make a difference in the lives of children in your community, the BS in Elementary Education may be a good choice for you. Explore the curriculum and each out to an Enrollment Specialist to learn more.
Walden University is an accredited institution offering a BS in Elementary Education degree program online. Expand your career options and earn your degree in a convenient, flexible format that fits your busy life.
Walden University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, www.hlcommission.org.
Accreditation
Walden University’s Richard W. Riley College of Education and Leadership is accredited based on the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) Standards through June 2026. This accreditation covers specific Walden initial teacher and advanced educator preparation programs, including the BS in Elementary Education, Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) – Special Education specialization, MS in Education – Educational Leadership and Administration specialization, and EdS in Educational Leadership and Administration. The MAT-SPED, MSED-ELA, and EdS-ELA programs were reviewed by Specialized Professional Associations (SPAs), which define content-area standards for programs, and achieved national recognition.
CAEP promotes excellence in educator preparation through quality assurance and continuous improvement. Walden’s College of Education and Leadership has earned national accreditation by demonstrating excellence in the areas of content and pedagogy, clinical experiences, selectivity, program impact, and capacity for continuous improvement. CAEP is a Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) – recognized national accreditor for educator preparation.
Licensure
Walden is approved by the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) to offer a program leading to a Minnesota Tier 3 license in Elementary Education. Candidates seeking licensure in Minnesota are responsible for completing all Minnesota requirements beyond Walden’s state-approved program, including passing the Minnesota Teacher Licensure Exams. The Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) is solely responsible for reviewing applications and issuing licenses.
Individuals interested in licensure in states other than Minnesota may qualify by virtue of completing a state-approved educator preparation program; however, individuals must review their state’s regulations to ensure the program meets all requirements, paying particular attention to any requirements specific to out-of-state program completers. Individuals who reside in certain states may be ineligible to enroll in this program. Walden Enrollment Specialists can provide guidance on licensure questions; however, it remains the individual’s responsibility to understand and comply with all state licensure requirements. Walden makes no representation or guarantee that completion of Walden coursework or programs will permit an individual to obtain state licensure.