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EIU Department of Student Teaching and Clinical Experiences

Classroom Observation Request Information 

Observing in Charleston High School

In order to observe in Charleston High School you must do the following:

  • Charleston High School has gone to a block schedule where course periods are offered on varying days of the week. Course periods 1, 3, 5, and 7 will be offered on Monday and Wednesday and course periods 2, 4, 6, and 8 will be offered on Tuesday and Thursday. All course periods will meet on Fridays. Additionally, the time of the course periods differ. Course periods on Monday through Thursday will have a specific set of times, but course periods on Friday meet at different times. Prior to  making observation requests, please review the CHS School Hours as well as the Spring 2024 CHS List for teachers who are willing to have EIU practica students. You may not arrange an observation or other practica experience with a teacher who is not on this list without prior approval.  

  • Note: The following dates are not available for observations during the 2023-2024 academic year: 

    • September 4, 2023                     January 15, 2024              
    • October 6, 2023                          February 19, 2024
    • October 9, 2023                          March 15, 2024
    • October 19 and 20, 2023            March 18 - 22, 2024
    • November 22 - 24, 2023              May 12, 2023                    
    • December 19 - January 2, 2024        
  • Complete the Charleston High School Classroom Observation Request Form.  This form must be completed and submitted at least 7 days prior to the date you would like to visit
  • Be sure to check with your instructor as to whether your observation request(s) is/are accepted or denied. Candidate names are sent on late Thursday afternoon to the CHS representative. If your name is not on the list, you may not observe or complete your practica hours.
  • If your observation request is approved, make sure to have a copy of your Criminal Background Investigation (CBI). When you sign in at the office for the 1st time, ask the school office personnel if they would like your copy of the CBI or whether they would like to make a copy of your CBI. Your CBI can be picked up in the Dean's Office - Buzzard 1420. You cannot participate in a school without having your CBI.

 

Observing in Mattoon High School

In order to observe in Mattoon High School you must do the following:

  • Each EIU student observing at Mattoon High School MUST bring a copy of their criminal background investigation (CBI) report to Mattoon High School EACH time they go to the school.

  • Review the Mattoon High School guidelines for observers.  Also, please follow their required Visitor Policy when you arrive at the school for an observation.

  • Review the Spring 2024 MHS List for classes in your teachers who are willing to have EIU practica students. Only the course periods marked "yes" are available for request. In addition, you may not arrange an observation or other practica experience with a teacher who is not on this list without prior approval. 

  • Note: The following dates are not available for observations during the 2023-2024 academic year:

  •  

    • August 21- September 1, 2023     January 8 - 19, 2024
    • September 4, 2023                        February 19, 2024
    • October 9, 2023                             March 8, 2024
    • October 12, 2023                           March 19 - 20, 2024
    • October 19, 2023                          March 25 - April 1, 2024
    • October 20, 2023                         
    • November 22 - 24, 2023                      
    • December 19 - January 3, 2024                    
    •                                                      
  •  All observers must report to the high school office 15 minutes before their scheduled observation and are not allowed to leave until the students are dismissed for that class period.  

  • Complete the Mattoon High School Classroom Observation Request Form.  This form must be completed at least 7 days prior to the date you would like to visit.

  • Be sure to check with your instructor as to whether your observation request(s) is/are accepted or denied. Candidate names are sent on late Thursday afternoon to the MHS representative. If your name is not on the list, you may not observe or complete your practica hours.
  • If your observation request is approved, make sure to have a copy of your Criminal Background Investigation (CBI). When you sign in at the office for the 1st time, ask the school office personnel if they would like your copy of the CBI or whether they would like to make a copy of your CBI. Your CBI can be picked up in the Dean's Office - Buzzard 1420. You cannot participate in a school without having your CBI.

 

Observing in All Other Schools

In order to observe in all schools other than Charleston High School or Mattoon High School you must do the following:

  • Identify the school at which you would like to observe.  Eastern Illinois University must have a contract with any site at which you observe. A list of Illinois schools (with notation as to whether EIU has a contract) can be found by clicking here. If EIU does not have a contract with a given site, you cannot observe at that site until a contract is signed which generally takes 3 weeks. Therefore, you must make your observation request a minimum of 14 days in advance of the scheduled observation.  If EIU has a contract (MOU) with the school your request form must be submitted at least 7 days prior to your visit.

  • Contact both the principal and the cooperating teacher of the given school and make specific arrangements for your visit (date and time) directly.

  • Complete the General Observation Request Form.

  • Once you have completed the request form, you may make your visit and observation.
  • Your instructor will confirm or deny your observation request(s). Dr. Hooser may also deny your observation request if your request is:
  • Outside the required request timeline ( 7 days if EIU has an MOU agreement and at least 14 days if EIU does not have an MOU).
  • Overlapping with a prior request. An overlap may occur from time to time.
  • Out of state
  • If your observation request is approved, make sure to have a copy of your Criminal Background Investigation (CBI). When you sign in at the office for the 1st time, ask the school office personnel if they would like your copy of the CBI or whether they would like to make a copy of your CBI. Your CBI can be picked up in the Dean's Office - Buzzard 1420. You cannot participate in a school without having your CBI.

If you have questions or need assistance in scheduling your observations please contact your instructor. Additional questions can be directed to the College of Education Dean's Office, 1420 Buzzard Hall, 217-581-2524.  

Related Pages

Contact Information

Dept. of Student Teaching and Clinical Experiences

1420 Buzzard Hall
Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, IL 61920
217-581-2620
217-581-2518

Weekday Office Hours

8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.


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