Student Teaching (Teacher Candidate Internship), Portfolios, Practica

The student teaching experience is an integral part of the preparation of professional educators. Thus it is the policy of the Department of Early Childhood, Speech-Language Pathology, and Special Education that student teaching cannot be waived and that it remains as a requirement in all regular, approved teacher education programs. However, there are instances, especially in times of teacher shortages or in cases of financial hardship, when a teacher education student accepts a teaching position before student teaching/internship. While this is not encouraged and violates the principles supported by the Department, it is a fact of life.

Therefore, the Department of Early Childhood, Speech- Language Pathology, and Special Education has developed the following policy on student teaching:

If a student has accepted a teaching position and wishes to complete his/her teacher preparation program through Old Dominion University without student teaching/internship, the school system where the individual is employed will become responsible for securing the individual's teaching license through the Virginia Department of Education. The chief certification officer at Old Dominion University will sign the necessary paperwork to indicate that the individual has completed all courses in an approved teacher licensure program with the exception of student teaching/internship.

Teacher Candidate Internship Application Deadlines (DOC)

Portfolio Development (PDF)
Creation of a professional portfolio is a requirement for successful completion of student teaching for all teacher education programs at Old Dominion University.

Series on Highly Effective Practices:
This series includes practical information on arranging classroom environments and creating classroom expectations, routines, and schedules. Successful transitions, anger management, social problem solving, teaching social skills, and self-monitoring for students are also covered.

Arranging the Physical Environment of the Classroom to Support Teaching/Learning
The Role of Classroom Schedules
Establishing & Teaching Classroom Expectations
Use of Classroom Routines to Support the Learning Process
Teaching Students to Self-Monitor Their Academic & Behavioral Performance
Successfully Managing Student Transitions
Teaching Social Problem Solving to Students
Teaching Anger Management
Teaching Social Skills

Practicum Requests

Please note that registration into any course requiring a practicum (e.g., ESSE 415/515 ,618, 621, 623, 624, 625, 626, 627, 628, 630, 631, 633, 637, 714/814, and 715/815) will require passing Praxis I scores or an equivalent to be placed on file with Teacher Education Services (Room 152, Education Building,                      (757) 683-3348          ). Individuals who request to use ACT or SAT scores for Praxis I must provide a copy of their official report of scores. The Division of Teacher Education and Licensure will accept the ACT or SAT scores listed on an official student transcript from an accredited college or university (including the registrar's signature and institution raised seal). Individuals who hold Collegiate Professional or Postgraduate Professional licenses must provide a photocopy of the license to Teacher Education Services.

Requesting a Practicum:
All students may use the following Online Request Form--Practicum to request practica experiences.

Online Request Form-practicum.

Please complete a practicum request form even if you are currently teaching. These forms will be processed through ODU. This process generally takes 6 weeks or more

Practicum Coursepak (PDF)
All students enrolled in ESSE 415/515 618, 621, 623, 624, 625, 626, 627, 628, 631, 714/814 715/815  or any other course (as requested by the instructor) must complete the practicum coursepak and return it to their instructors to be graded or processed.