Global Student Teaching: Strengthened abilities, increased awareness

Teach, research, serve...

Make a positive contribution to the global community through Global Student Teaching at UMM.

University credit is available.

Why global student teaching? Placements and practicums in classrooms close to home can provide rich experiences. But global student teaching allows participants to experience educational issues from a perspective as broad as the planet itself!

Immersed in a different culture, you'll see first hand how cultural factors influence educational policies and practices. Some issues are the same the world over; others require strategies particular to a specific country and context. Working alongside experienced cooperating teachers on site, the global student teacher gains invaluable cultural experience, meets diverse student populations, and contributes to the global society.

In addition to classroom work, the Global Student Teaching program at UMM offers opportunities for on site, in-country research and service addressing the particular educational dilemmas and challenges facing various international locations. Projects can be designed to fit the needs of your professional portfolio.

Student teachers' placements match their identified area of licensure. They are placed with licensed, experienced cooperating teachers and are supervised by qualified Global Student Teaching university/faculty supervisors.

Cooperating teachers and GST university/faculty supervisors prepare at a minimum three formal written evaluations of observations of the student teacher. Cooperating teachers and GST university/faculty supervisors prepare both midterm and final assessment reports for the student teacher. These are given to the home university. The GST university/faculty supervisor may also write a letter of recommendation for the student teacher's file.

The length of student teachers' placements in the Global Student Teaching program vary depending on the requirements of students' home institutions. Placements range in length from eight to sixteen weeks. Placements are available for fall, spring, and summer terms, based on location.

Participation requires high academic standards, completion of prerequisite courses, and the necessary preparation to teach abroad. Admission requires:

a minimum GPA of 2.5,
approval of the Director of Student Teaching at the student's College/University indicating all prerequisite courses necessary for student teaching have been successfully completed,
two letters of recommendation from university faculty members recommending the student for global student teaching,
proof of mandatory liability insurance, and
an approved criminal background check

For further application information, please e-mail Dr. Pam Solvie, director.