Minnesota State University-Mankato

This four-level teacher preparation pathway will guide you through a structured and supportive journey:

Level 1: Foundations
Develop your identity as an educator while exploring classroom dynamics through critical and asset-based perspectives.

Level 2: Teaching Methods
Learn essential instructional strategies and curriculum planning, with opportunities to practice core teaching skills.

Level 3: Theory into Practice
Integrate educational theory with classroom practice while strengthening your professional identity and culturally responsive teaching strategies. 

Level 4: Student Teaching
Engage in full-time student teaching in a kindergarten– grade 6 classroom, applying your learning in a real-world setting with strong mentorship and support.

As a teacher candidate, you'll progress through the following levels of hands-on experience:

Level 1:
Build relationships with kindergarten– grade 6 students and observe classroom teaching.

Level 2:
Participate in small group work, lead community-building activities, continue relationship building, and begin applying effective literacy and math teaching methods.

Level 3:
Use integrated teaching strategies and co-teach with a mentor teacher.

Level 4:
With strong support, transition to your full-time independent student teaching experience. 

The program’s curriculum is grounded on the principle of infusing culturally responsive, social justice, anti-racist and anti-oppressive practices throughout its courses. 
 
You'll develop the awareness, knowledge and skills you need to support the diverse socio-cultural, racial, ethnic and language backgrounds of your future students.

• The curriculum focuses on respectful and welcoming teaching practices.
• Throughout the program you’ll learn how to support students from different backgrounds.
• Materials and activities encourage reflection on a wide range of viewpoints, including your own.
• You’ll learn how to create supportive classrooms and address unfair treatment through your teaching.  

Throughout the B.S. in Elementary Education program, you will have a mentor teacher and a university supervisor to support you during your fieldwork and student teaching.

Your mentor teacher gives weekly helpful feedback, and your university supervisor offers guidance as you grow your teaching skills and develop your teaching style.

To provide you with the best training, the program’s faculty works closely with Minnesota school districts. The program partners with local kindergarten- grade 12 schools to give you experience using the same curriculum and tools you’ll need in your future classroom.

You’ll also have opportunities to engage in research that helps develop your skills and prepares you to become a teacher leader.