Student Teaching (Internship) in a School Library
To obtain a license as a school library media specialist, after competing all course work in library science, an individual must complete a clinical experience. According to the Commonwealth of Virginia, this experience must "give the applicant an opportunity to apply the skills, understandings, and competencies" in all areas of the program. (Source: Virginia Licensure Regulations for School Personnel, 1998).
Students who are NOT already licensed as teachers must complete a 14 week internship in either the spring or fall semester. Complete information including deadlines is found on the Website of Teacher Education Services.
Placement Application for Teacher Candidate Internship deadlines are posted on the Teacher Education Services Website and are as follows:
September 15 for Spring Internship
March 15 for Fall Internship
Students may complete one of the following:
Students who have a teaching license:
- A 7 week internship in either the spring or the fall semester. Check the Teacher Education Services Website for details.
- A summer-long experience running from the end of the public school year in June through mid-August. Check the Summer Student Teaching Request Form for details.
- A mentorship option for students who have completed all classes except student teaching and then accept a job as a school library media specialist. Check the Teacher Education Services Website for details.
Students who do not have a teaching license:
- A 14 week internship in either the spring or the fall. Check the Teacher Education Services Website for details.
- A mentorship option for students who have completed all classes except student teaching and then accept a job as a school library media specialist. Check the Teacher Education Services Website for details.
Students in the Norfolk Grow Our Own Program should contact the Office of Media Services in Norfolk Public Schools for their special student teaching requirements.
Professional Portfolio
All students must submit a professional portfolio prior to being approved for the student teaching internship. This is a continuation of the portfolio which is started in ECI 675(Administration) and added to in each class in the library science program. For students planning to student teach in the summer, the portfolio must be submitted with the application.
For students teaching during the spring or fall semester, the portfolio must be submitted by the following dates:
- Spring student teaching - portfolio due December 1
- Fall student teaching - portfolio due August 1
Check the Portfolio Evaluation Rubric before you submit your portfolio.