Frequently Asked Questions

For questions concerning the Admission to Teacher Education meetings and the Application to Student Teaching meetings, please go to the Teacher Education website.

Questions concerning Student Teaching Application:

1. When do I have to apply for student teaching?
You must apply the Fall semester the academic year PRIOR to the year you plan to student teach. For example, if you plan to student teach Fall 2006 or Spring 2007, you must attend a meeting, apply, and turn in all required paperwork during the Fall 2005 semester.

2.  What is an autobiography? 
This is a short paper which can be taken from your letter of intent.  Please include your professional goals.  This should be no longer than 2 pages, double spaced, typed. A suggested outline is available on the Student Teaching Website.

3.  Where do my TB test results go?
EIU student teachers must have a TB test that is 90 days current.  The original test result sheet is to be sent to the Student Teaching Office.  Copies are also given to the student’s coordinator and cooperating teacher.

** If students get their TB test taken off-campus, the results should be sent to the Student Health Service.

4.  When will I find out where I am student teaching?
Your coordinator should have your placement completed by the first week of December for Spring placement and by the last week of April for the Fall placement. You may be required to interview at the school where you are potentially placed.

5. Do I have to sign up for STG 4000 as well as STG 4001?
Yes, all student teachers, with the exception of ISEP students, must register for both classes.  SPE and ECE majors will be registered for STG 4000 when their departments give the Student Teaching Office a list of their majors who are student teaching. ISEP students register for SED 4000 (3 hrs) and STG 4001 (12 hours).

Questions concerning Pre-clinical Observations

1.  How many observation hours have I (EIU student) accumulated?
Students are welcome to come to the Student Teaching Office to check their clinical file. However, students should keep copies of all observation/clinical files.

2. How many observation hours are needed in order to student teach?
A minimum of 100 hours.

3. What is the procedure for turning in the pre-clinical (goldenrod) observation form?

Forms should be filled out and signed by the teacher, then the EIU instructor.  Students should make a copy to keep, then give the original form to the instructor.  The instructor should turn the completed observation form into the Office of Student Teaching and Clinical Experiences.

Questions concerning Academic Professional Waivers:

1. I will earn waivers this semester; can I use them to take a class this semester? 
No.  Waivers must be earned before you can use them.

2. Can the cooperating teacher waivers be given to another teacher to use?
No.  They are not transferable; only the teacher earning the waivers can use them.

3. Can cooperating teacher and administrative waivers be used at other universities?
No.  Only Eastern classes are eligible for tuition waiver usage.  Waivers may be used for on-line classes.

4. How much are the waivers worth?
Please check your account on the PAWs system.  Each waiver is worth one hour of graduate, non-contract credit.

5. When will my waivers be applied to my account?
** We process the waivers as we receive them.  Before the 15th of each month, we send all the information we have received to date to the Financial Aid Office.  The billing date is the 15th of each month.