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Frequently Asked Questions
1. Applying For Student Teaching
a. How do I get started on my application for student teaching?
i. Go to our main web page and click on the link that says "Student Teaching" There will be an application check list.
2. Application
a. How soon can I start the application?
i. It is never too early to start the application process. We advise the students to give themselves enough time to finish it before the application deadline. We actually encourage you to complete it early (up to two years prior).
b. What are the available student teaching semesters?
i. All students are able to student teach in the fall and winter semesters. Only Elementary Education and ECSE majors will be able to student teach in the spring semester.
3. Verification of Completion of Coursework (VCC)
a. What is a VCC?
i. Your Verification of Completion of Coursework (VCC) is verification that you have completed or will complete the classes and tests required for your major prior to student teaching.
b. Where do I get my VCC?
i. You will pick your VCC up in the Academic Discovery Center (HIN 309) and start the process there.
4. Fingerprinting
a. Where can I get my fingerprinting done?
i. Please come to the BYU-Idaho Field Services office (HIN 325).
b. What if I am living in a different state and need to get my fingerprinting done?
i. Email the Field Services office (fieldservices@byui.edu) with your current mailing address and a fingerprinting packet for the State of Idaho can be mailed to you to complete at your local police station.
c. What do I need to bring when coming to get my finger prints done?
i. A form of government-issue ID (for example: driver's license or passport)
d. How soon can I get them done?
i. You can come in and get them done anytime within our office hours (M-F, 8:00 AM to 4:45 PM) after you apply for student teaching.
e. Do I need to come in more than once if I have been placed a different state?
i. Only students placed in Arizona will need to be fingerprinted again. Those students will be emailed with further instructions after their student teaching placement has been made.
5. Request for an Exception to Policy
a. Do I need to submit a Request for an Exception to Policy?
i. Requests for an Exception to Policy are for student with special needs, including but not limited to:
1. Need to stay local for student teaching
2. Need to take course work during or after student teaching
3. Need to student teach without having all PRAXIS exams passed
4. Need to student teach without passing other exams (ie. Literacy Exams, Math Diagnostics)
b. Why do I need to submit a Request for an Exception to Policy form?
i. This is the formal submission so that your situation can be reviewed by a committee to determine whether you will be granted an exception.
c. When do I submit a Request for an Exception to Policy form?
i. Please submit a Request for an Exception to Policy form as soon as you realize you need an exception. You can click here for the form and bring it to HIN 325 or email it to fieldservices@byui.edu.
6. Field Placements
a. How long until I know the school where I am placed?
i. We send the information as soon as we receive it, but it should not be less than a few weeks before your student teaching experience begins.
b. How soon will I know who my cooperating teacher is?
i. Just as with the knowledge of your school, you receive the information as soon as we receive it. For some, you may not know who your cooperating teacher is until you start your student teaching experience.
c. How do I know where I am going to live?
i. There is approved housing for the single teacher candidates. For questions regarding housing, please contact Marc Sunderland (208-496-9222) in the Housing Department. Married students can also contact Housing for help or advice in searching for housing.
d. What if I am not placed with a partner school?
i. If you are not placed in a partner school, you will be placed in a school in the surrounding area.
e. Can I student teach when I am off-track?
i. Yes.
f. What if I have a teacher or principal that wants me to student teach in their school?
i. You are not allowed to solicit your own placement. The school's principal will need to contact the Field Services office. Teachers that are interested must go through their principal to request a teacher candidate.
g. How long is the student teaching experience?
i. Student teaching assignments start dates vary depending on the school and semester. Student teaching dates follow the district's semester which is different than the BYU-Idaho semester duration. Your student teaching experience will be anywhere from 14 to 20 weeks. The fall semester can start as early as August and continue through December, the winter semester can begin at the beginning of January and conclude as late as mid-May, and the spring semester's duration can continue from April through August. Teacher candidates are expected to participate in teacher in-service and work days, as well as parent teacher conferences. District and school specific student teaching dates will be sent to all education students via email during the semester prior to the start of your student teaching assignment.
7. Praxis Exams
a. What test do I sign up for?
i. Required PRAXIS exams can change without notice. You will be able to find the most accurate information at http://www.ets.org/praxis/idaho. Click on the link that says "Tests for their Certification Areas." It will come up with a few categories. Click on the category that best describes your desired area(s) of study. Select the list test you choose to take from those listed.
b. When should I take the Praxis?
i. The exams must be taken as early as possible, allowing at least two opportunities for you to take the PRAXIS prior to student teaching. In other words, take it early enough so that there is time to retake it if needed. It is sometimes advised that you sign up for two Praxis dates in case the first Praxis is failed. If you pass the first time, ETS will refund you for the second date. Foreign language students need to check extra early because of limited seating and limited testing dates.
8. The Student Placement File
a. What is the Student Placement File?
i. This is a file with letters of recommendation from your university supervisors and mentor teacher(s). This also includes the student's summative evaluation(s) from their student teaching. Most employers require receipt of this file when considering a new hire for their school district.
b. How do I get my student placement file?
i. Simply email the Field Services office: fieldservices@byui.edu. Please include your name, student teaching semester, I-number, and email address that you would like the file sent to.
9. Certification
a. Why should I certify in the State of Idaho?
i. Reciprocal agreements between most states in the union augment the process of obtaining licensure from other states if licensed in Idaho.
b. If I don't plan on teaching in Idaho, what does my alternate state require? What is the process of applying for other states?
i. The graduate is responsible to research alternate states personally for individual state requirements.
c. When can I apply for my Idaho teaching certificate?
i. After the posting of your BYU - Idaho degree, which is usually two to three weeks following graduation.
d. How do I apply to be certified?
i. Please go to the Field Services office certification webpage: http://www.byui.edu/field-services/certification-in-idaho. Click on the "Certification Powerpoint Presentation" and watch the PowerPoint. It will give you all the information that is needed.
e. Who do I send the B-2 form to? Do I get a copy? Explain process of the B-2 form.
i. The institutional Recommendation is a form received from BYU-Idaho that verifies that the graduate has met all requirements from the State of Idaho and BYU-Idaho. It includes the following information:
1. Personal information (name, address, social security #, etc)
2. Educational information (endorsement and student teaching information)
3. Testing information (Praxis results, etc.)
4. Completion of program verification
This form may be obtained by submitting a request from the Field Services web site: http://www.byui.edu/field-services/certification-in-idaho. Click on "Institutional Recommendation (B-2)" to request your recommendation after graduation. Please do not bring in a copy of the B-2 form for our office to fill out; we will not accept it. Your degree must be posted before requesting the institutional recommendation. You will receive two copies of the completed B-2: one is for your personal record, and the other is to be sent to the State of Idaho. Save a copy of your completed B-2 for your reference.
f. How do I send a form to get certified for a different state?
i. Students are responsible to research the requirements for the state they wish to be certified in. If your state requires a different form that needs to be filled out by BYU-Idaho's education certification officer, Sister Frongner, please email it to frongnerc@byui.edu.
g. What if I am student teaching and am applying for jobs in other states but I am not certified, who do I contact?
i. Answers may vary depending on the situation and location. Research the state requirements for the specific location for which you are making application.
10. Practicum
a. Where do I go to ask questions about the practicum?
i. Contact Sister Reed in Hinckley 353.
11. Photographs
a. Where do I go for my student teaching photograph?
i. The campus photography studio (MCK Library 356) will take your photo. This service is free to you unless you choose to purchase more prints. You may go at any time; you do not need an appointment. The studio employees send the photographs directly to the Field Services office; you do not need to acquire your photo and bring it to us.
b. What should I wear?
i. Professional attire- as if you were teaching a class. No t-shirts, hoodies or sweatshirts.
ii. Men are asked to wear dress shirts and ties
iii. Women are asked to wear professional clothes as well. Often, lace on tops or undershirts can appear to be underclothing.
c. Who will see me?
i. Your photo will be included in your bio. Principals from partner schools, district contacts, area coordinators, supervisors, and mentor teachers will see your bio with the photo included.