1995 Indiana University - The Center for Adolescent Studies

The Urban Education Program offers an opportunity to student teach in an urban environment. Located in downtown Chicago, it offers the opportunity for undergraduate education majors to become full-time student teachers in one of Chicago's public, private, or alternative schools. Placements are available at all levels in both regular and special education classes. Because of the varied programming in Chicago schools, students can teach in a wide range of subject areas.

Demetria Iazzetto, director of the program, says some aspects similar to regular student teaching placements, with cooperating teachers and university supervisors involved. A unique feature of the program is that students can visit schools and choose the school in which they want to teach. Other features of the program include the housing arrangements and pre-term orientation. During the program, student teacher (up to 25 per semester) live together in one apartment building. In this way, they can support each other with ideas, resources and advice. They find it tremendously helpful to talk about the experience with others who are going through the same thing. Another benefit is the 4-5 day pre-program orientation.

During this time, students explore the neighborhood around the school where they will be student teaching. They walk around, buy things, talk to people, and get to know the area. Then, they teach others in the program about "their" neighborhood.

How do student teachers respond to the experience? When asked how the program contributed to their educational and/or professional goals, one student teacher said, "It has made me more open to new ideas and more well-rounded." Another said, "It's put me in touch with the realities of urban education and of being an educator. Most importantly, this program has taught me how to see my whole world from a much more realistic perspective. I do feel ready to teach!"

For more information write to: Demetria Iazzetto, Director, Urban Education Program, 5526 N. Magnolia, Chicago, IL 60640.