Student Teaching
Research has shown that student teaching is the most important experience of the entire teacher preparation process. The training of our credential candidates occurs with the valuable assistance of area schools and master teachers. Biola University supervisors mentor student teachers by making regular site visitations and giving weekly seminars.
Student Teaching is the final course in Biola's Teacher Preparation Program. Students earning a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential will have two full-time, eight-week placements in WASC-accredited schools — one in a lower grade and the other in an upper grade.
Week-by-Week Summary
Placement One
- Week 1: Observe teacher, become familiar with class routines, work with small groups
- Week 2: Take over one area of content for daily lessons
- Week 3: Take over two areas of content for daily lessons
- Week 4: Take over three areas of content for daily lessons
- Week 5: Take over four areas of content for daily lessons
- Week 6: Take over five areas of content for daily lessons
- Week 7: Take over full responsibility for all content areas
- Week 8: Transition out of teaching responsibilities at master teacher's discretion
Placement Two
- Weeks 1-5: Same as above
- Week 6: Take over full responsibility for all content areas
- Week 7: Continue full responsibility for all content areas
- Week 8: Transition out of teaching responsibilities at master teacher's discretion
Teaching Performance Assessment (TPA)
The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing requires students to complete four Teacher Performance Assessment tasks as part of the credentialing process. Each takes approximately 15 hours.
Overseas Student Teaching
Students have the opportunity to student teach overseas in a variety of countries in accredited K-12 international and private schools. An overseas assignment can count as one of the two student teaching placements. The other must be completed at a California public school.
If you have questions, please contact the School of Education at education [at] biola [dot] edu or (562) 903-4843, and we will be happy to assist you.