Programs Leading to Certification
Teachers College offers many certification programs. Each program has its own requirements and restrictions which candidates have to meet in order to be eligible for the certificate. If a candidate is not a participant in the specified program or has not satisfied the requirements of the program, then the candidate will not be recommended for certification under the guidelines of that program.
Student Teaching (Initial Certification Students)
The student teaching experience provides pre-service teachers the space and opportunity to learn how to ask important questions about teaching and learning, come to know children and adolescents by observing and interacting with them consistently over time, apply newly acquired knowledge, theories, strategies and models in a variety of contexts within and across classrooms, and experiment with, design and adapt practice according to learners' needs.
During the student teaching experience, pre-service teachers are guided and instructed by two key individuals - the cooperating or mentor teacher, and the university supervisor. While both work collaboratively to support the growth and development of the student teacher, each assumes a very specific role.