Handbook for Student Teachers in Europe
Office of Student Teaching and Field Experiences
Director of Clinical Experiences and School Partnerships
202 McGuffey Hall
(513) 529-7245
Table of Contents
Conceptual Framework
Course Description
Course Objectives
Background of Student Teaching in Europe Program
Overview of Current Programming
Eligibility and the Application Process
Next Steps
Anticipating Costs
Preparing for Departure
Upon Arrival Abroad
Ensuring a Successful Classroom Experience
Attendance Policy for Student Teachers
Assessment and Feedback
Disciplinary Consequences
Conceptual Framework
The College of Education, Health and Society is a community of collaborative practitioners who are committed to fulfilling Miami University’s mission to prepare caring, competent, and transformative educators by infusing skills, knowledge, and dispositions that promote the highest caliber professional programs in the areas of education, health, and society.
A caring, competent, and transformative practitioner is a person who holds the unique responsibility of preparing young people for their roles in society. A teacher’s role and relationships with students are evolving, and transforming. Caring means that you understand the perspective of others. Competent means that you have a good command of your subject area and know how to teach that subject to your students. A transformative teacher is engaged within critical reflection upon the practice of teaching and the learning environment in the classroom and the larger community.
Course Description
Student Teaching is a practical experience in a Pre-K – 12th grade classroom, working closely with a cooperating teacher for 15 weeks who will model safe, effective, and current teaching methods.
Course Objectives
At the completion of this course, teacher candidates will be able to:
- Teach effectively with knowledge of students’ background experiences
- Articulate clear learning goals for the lesson
- Demonstrate connections between previous, current, and future content
- Plan teaching methods, activities, and materials aligned with lesson goals
- Select evaluation strategies appropriate for students and lesson goals
- Communicate challenging learning expectations for each student
- Establish and maintain rapport with students
- Maintain consistent standards of classroom behavior
- Create an environment that promotes fairness and is safe and conducive to learning
- Clarify learning goals and procedures for students
- Make content comprehensible for students
- Create opportunities for students to extend their thinking
- Monitor student comprehension and provide feedback
- Make effective use of instructional time
- Demonstrate a sense of efficacy
- Reflect on the extent of learning goals being met
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Build professional relationships to support student learning
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Communicate with parents or guardians about student learning
Background of Student Teaching in Europe Program
Overview of Current Programming
Eligibility and the Application Process
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Review the information posted on the Student Teacher website.
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Check with Global Initiatives regarding university requirements.
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Attend the general student teaching abroad informational seminar, and all of student teaching in Europe seminars.
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Complete the Student Teaching Abroad application found on the website.
- Provide 2 letters of reference from faculty familiar with the student’s academic record.
- Submit the Application and reference letters, along with 3 copies of the autobiographical narrative, and a copy of the DARS to the Office of Student Teaching no later than December 2.
- Participate in a brief individualized interview with the Director of Clinical Field Experiences and School Partnerships.
Next Steps
During the spring semester, the Office of Student Teaching will be working with contacts in Europe to make placements in schools. Students who do not have a passport should apply during this period. Seminars will be held during the spring in order to provide information regarding flights, placements, housing, and supervision.
A Student Investment (down payment signifying a firm commitment to the program) in the amount of $1000.00 is will be due on February 3, 2015.
Final information regarding cooperating teachers and host families will be sent via email to students as soon as it becomes available. Often this information is not confirmed until late summer or early fall due to the European school calendar.
All Miami students who study abroad are required to register through the Office of Lifelong Learning in room 127 McGuffey.
Anticipating Costs
While all costs are dependent on a variety of factors beyond the control of Miami University, the following represents an approximation of expenses:
Item | Europe |
Register for: 15 hours undergraduate/12 hours graduate | Tuition plus $1200 student fee for student teaching abroad. This includes the $300 edTPA fee |
Housing | Approx. $150/week with host families* *Current MUDEC rate applies in Luxembourg |
Flight/transportation to and from Oxford | Approx. $1200-$1500 round trip |
Insurance/health care | HTH International Student Insurance - Approx. $10.50/week |
Passport | $100 Passport application fee |
Preparing for Departure
- Buy airplane ticket and provide flight information to the Office of Student Teaching.
- Purchase HTH Insurance, as required by the university.
- Complete the Housing Information Sheet and return it to the Office of Student Teaching.
- Complete all necessary Global Initiatives modules and forms online.
- Email a letter of introduction to the cooperating teacher and Principal of the assigned school thanking them for your placement.
- Students placed in Luxembourg should complete the Host Information Form and submit it to the Director of Housing.
- Email your host family with an introduction, detailed arrival plans and any specific personal needs or requests.
Upon Arrival Abroad
- Notify the Office of Student Teaching
- Contact your school to arrange a meeting with your cooperating teacher
- Purchase necessary transportation passes