The purpose of student teaching is to provide the teachHOUSTON student with a culminating experience that is sufficiently rich and deep in the expectations, processes, and rewards of teaching. Our hope is that the complementary strengths of the teachHOUSTON Student Teacher and Cooperating Mentor Teacher will generate a synergism that benefits both people professionally.

Because teachHOUSTON students engage in numerous field experiences prior to the student teaching, teachHOUSTON Student Teachers are able to assume a teaching role very quickly.

• Student Teaching Pathways
• How To Apply For Student Teaching

Student Teaching Pathways

Student Teaching has two pathways, the Traditional Certification Pathway and the Teacher Residency Pathway. Those in the Traditional Certification Pathway are undergraduate STEM majors that complete the teachHOUSTON program in more than two semesters. The Teacher Residency Pathway is for those that complete teacher certification in the two semester cohort model. This includes undergraduates and graduates.

Traditional Certification Pathway

The one semester Student Teaching is a full-time 14-week, all-day immersion experience into public school settings. Student teachers are urged to consider it as full-time employment in order to give this semester the appropriate time allocation. Student teachers are strongly encouraged to avoid taking classes or working at another job during this challenging and rewarding semester, and no other obligations can be undertaken during daytime hours.

Paid Teacher Residency Pathway

The Paid Teacher Residency Pathway is a two-semester pathway and includes clinical teaching for at least 3 days/week in a co-teaching setting under the supervision of an effective mentor teacher. This pathway provides an integrated experience and increased support to better prepare residents to become full-time teachers in mathematics and science. For the residency, cohort members have the opportunity to receive compensation related to their work in the classroom to help with college expenses. Residents will spend two semesters with mentor teachers observing, co-teaching, and apprentice teaching. This will provide residents with several important opportunities to:

• Utilize culturally responsive teaching and inquiry teaching techniques.
• Develop a rapport with secondary math and science students and their families.
• Observe and learn from the mentor teacher, who will model strong teaching.
• Instruct small groups in class and outside of class to support all learners.
• Assist with grading and feedback for all students.
• Co-teach with the Mentor Teacher.
• Practice specific teaching skills in a classroom setting and receive feedback.
• Participate in district professional development and resource/curriculum training.
• Receive up to $10,000 each semester of student teaching.

How To Apply For Student Teaching

Every student that declares teachHOUSTON as their capstone must complete the student teaching requirement. To participate in this requirement, you must apply and be admitted the semester before you begin student teaching. Below is a checklist of items you must satisfy prior to applying for student teaching.

• Declared as a Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics major.
• Have a 2.5 major GPA
• Have a 2.5 Cumulative GPA
• Indicated as a Senior in your student account
• Currently enrolled in or have completed CUIN 3351

Apply for Student Teaching

Application Deadline

• Spring 2024 application deadline: February 9, 2024

To learn more about student teaching contact the teachHOUSTON Faculty Advisor, Dr. Karen McIntush at kemcintu@central.uh.edu.