Steps to Becoming a Teacher

Clinical Experiences

The pre-student teaching clinical experiences are developmental in scope and sequence and will occur in a variety of settings, including elementary, middle and secondary schools. These experiences are divided into three categories: observations, field experiences and practicum (or advanced field experiences).

Observations are found in 100 level courses. Students see the classroom from a teacher’s point of view. Field experiences are found in 200 or 300 level courses. Students begin to understand the skills needed to teach. Field practicum and advanced field experiences are founding 300 and 400 level courses. Activities are designed so candidates begin to assume teaching responsibilities in the classroom and manage classroom tasks.

There are steps students need to follow to complete the Carthage pre-student teaching clinical experience requirements. Education students should refer to the Carthage publication Steps to Becoming a Teacher, available in the Carthage Bookstore, for details about clinical experiences.

Steps to Becoming a Teacher

• Program Checklist
• Step 1: Getting Started
• Developing Your Portfolio
• Step 2: Teacher Education Program
• Sample Schedules
• Clinical Experiences
• Step 3: Student Teaching
• Step 4: Certification Applications

Inspiration & Ideas

The Center for Children's Literature at Carthage, co-directed by education professor Marilyn Ward, offers future teachers valuable resources, lectures, workshops and seminars. Read more.