- Student Teaching
- Off-Campus Study Programs
- Conferences
- Professional Connections
STUDENT TEACHING
As a part of all field experience practicums, you will observe and participate in public and/or private school classrooms. You will be placed in a variety of settings within your certification area-from early childhood to senior high school classrooms in both private and/or public schools.
At LETU, students begin their classroom observation during their first year. You might student teach or coach at:
- Longview ISD
- Pine Tree ISD
- Spring Hill ISD
- Gladewater ISD
- Hallsville ISD
- Tatum ISD
- White Oak ISD
- Trinity School of Texas
Other Field Experience Opportunities:
Beginning the spring of your freshman year, you will begin Teach Prep I. Teach Prep I involves three field experience practicums. Each practicum has specific requirements, tailored to your certification needs. Here are a few options:
- Junior Achievement
- Junior Achievement of East Texas opens its program to allow LETU teacher education students to serve as volunteer teachers in area schools. You will train under Junior Achievement representatives and, using the prescribed curriculum, teach area students about the free enterprise system, job training skills, and choosing a meaningful career.
- East Texas Literacy Council
- A special program by East Texas Literacy Council, in partnership with Wesley-McCabe Methodist Church, allows you to design and monitor learning centers for students ages 7-12. While you are in the classroom, the children's parents attend special training in English as a second language.
- Reading Buddies
- Reading Buddies lets you explore the teaching profession by serving as a reading tutor in area elementary school classrooms.
OFF-CAMPUS STUDY PROGRAMS
At LeTourneau, we are serious about our motto: "Every Workplace. Every Nation." For that reason, we encourage all of our students to participate in our many off-campus study programs. Read about Megan Hillman's experience abroad.
Many study programs are coordinated through the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities' (CCCU) Best Semester program. LeTourneau University, a member of the CCCU, offers many programs as semester-long academic experiences.
To see the ways you can become one of our globe-trekking students, visit our Global Initiatives Office.
CONFERENCES
These are a few of the conferences held each year on the campus of LeTourneau University. You will work with faculty to sponsor these conferences. Talk about a great way to make connections.
- East Texas Back-to-School Conference (for East Texas private K-12 schools' faculty and staff)
- The Texas Association for the Improvement of Reading Conference (focuses on improving reading and literacy instruction)
- Early Childhood Conference and Workshops (students seeking a teaching field in early childhood will work with faculty to host this conference for early childhood educators)
- Students also have opportunities to attend special lectures by area, regional and state educators.
PROFESSIONAL CONNECTIONS
Your future faculty are actively contributing to the field of education. They have connections in the world of education which will come in handy when you graduate and are looking for a job-they'll be valuable references! These are just a few of the organizations your future profs are involved with:
- Texas Private School Accreditation Commission
- International Community of Christian Teacher Educators
- Consortium of State Organizations for Texas Teacher Education
- College Reading and Association (CRLA)
- International Literacy Association (ILA)
- Phi Delta Kappa International (PDK)
- Texas Association for the Improvement of Reading (TAIR)
- National Reading Conference (NRC)
- National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
- Tennessee Association for Children's Early Education
- Texas Association for the Education of Young Children
- Teaching and Teacher Education (TTE)
- TCTC
- Active memberships in other professional organizations