Student Teaching
Step into the classroom and take the lead in your teaching career.
Since 1873, SEMO has been preparing Missouri's educators, and that tradition of excellence continues to be built every day.
Student teaching is where everything comes together. Across our programs, you'll step out of the classroom and into the real thing. Student teaching is when you apply what you have learned and discover the kind of educator you are becoming. Whether you are completing your undergraduate program or pursuing your Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT), our student teaching experiences are designed to challenge you, support you, and launch you into a career that matters.
Starting Your Teaching Journey
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Applying to Teacher Preparation
If you are studying to be a teacher, experience in a real classroom with real students is essential to successfully completing a teacher preparation program at SEMO. You must meet specific criteria to enter the program, including a background check.
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Teaching Abroad
Fearlessly step out into the world and take a trip to teach abroad in Chile. Explore another culture, discover how other students learn, and learn from teachers in another country.
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Mentors and Supervisors
Guidance is an important part of starting a career in teaching, and you will receive support throughout your student teaching experience. When you begin student teaching, you are partnered with both a university supervisor and a mentor teacher from the school district you join.
How do I know which program is for me?
- Early Childhood Education
- Elementary Education: K-4
- Exceptional Child: Early Childhood Special Education
- Exceptional Child: Mild Moderate Cross Categorical
- Middle School Education: 5-9
- Secondary Education: 9-12
If you have a four-year degree but it isn't focused in education and would like to enter P-12 education, these programs may be a fit for you:
- Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT)
- School Counseling
If you are already in P-12 education but would like to pursue professional development or a new career in P-12, consider these programs:
- MA: Secondary Education
- School Counselor
- Leadership
- Specialists
- Certificates
Teacher Preparation Handbook
Program Quality
EDhawk Scholars
Required Technology for Student Teaching
Students in the Education Preparation programs must have a mobile device. This device cannot be a phone. Learn here what devices you may need.
- 10th generation
- 32GB or more
- Apple M1 chip or higher
- 8GB or more Memory
- 256GB or more storage
*Southeast Missouri State University recommends that Chromebooks not be used as a main or sole computer system because of their limitations.
- Front and/or rear-facing camera
- 10 hours or longer battery life
- 32GB or more storage
- 4GB or more RAM
- WiFi
- Comes with Windows 11 or higher when new
- Intel Core i5 or higher processor (Core i7 or Core i9 is recommended)
- 8GB or more RAM
- 256GB or more solid-state storage (SSD, not HDD)
- Built-in or external front and/or rear-facing camera
- 9 hours or longer battery life
- WiFi
Organizations
| Acronym | organization name | last name | first name | title | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACDA | American Choral Director’s Association – Student Chapter | Kenney | Nicholas | Advisor | nkenney@semo.edu |
| FFA/AG | Future Farmers of America/Ag Ed | Wilson | Marissa | Advisor | mewilson5s@semo.edu |
| Kappa Delta Pi | International Honor Society in Education | Wright | Stella | President | scwright1s@semo.edu |
| NafME-C | National Association for Music Education – Collegiate Chapter | Kenney | Nicholas | Advisor | nkenney@semo.edu |
| SMSTA | Student Missouri State Teachers Association | Kozuszek | Gabby | President | gmkozuszek1s@semo.edu |
| SSEA | Social Studies Educators Association | Roberts | Catelyn | President | cdroberts4s@semo.edu |
Advising
As you progress through your teacher preparation program, you will complete required coursework, field experiences, licensing steps, and background checks. Your advisor is your main point of contact throughout this process and will help guide you at every stage.
Below, you can find the contact information for your area of study:
Elementary, Early Childhood, Exceptional Child Majors, and Middle School Majors
Office Location: Academic Hall 057
Email: advising@semo.edu
Phone: (573) 651-2007
Hours: Monday - Friday
8 a.m. - noon, 1 - 5 p.m. (Fall and Spring Semesters)
8 a.m. - noon, 1 - 4 p.m. (Summer Semester and Spring Break)
Secondary and K-12 Education Majors
Robin Smith, School of Education Director
Office of Leadership, Middle, and Secondary Education
Office Location: Scully 240
Phone: (573) 651-2078
Email: rlsmith@semo.edu
Contact Us
Phone
Location
Office
Mailing Address
Cape Girardeau, MO 63701