About Us

Click here to access the CPS Student Teaching Registration Packet.

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History

In 2002, the CPS Department of Human Resources launched the Human Capital Campaign to ensure that CPS is a highly desirable place where educators grow professionally so students can make strong academic gains.

Under the direction of Dr. Barbara Eason-Watkins, Chief Education Officer, the CPS Student-Teaching Initiative was created to encourage pre-service teachers with strong qualifications and a high level of competence to become CPS teachers.

Dedicated teachers like you are necessary for CPS to fulfill its mission of being the premier urban school district in the country by providing all of our students and their families with high-quality instruction, outstanding academic programs, and comprehensive student development support.

Purpose

As part of the CPS Department of Human Resources, the Student Teaching Program is designed to attract pre-service teachers from Chicago-area universities, as well as in-state and out-of-state schools of education, by offering support through the final phases of the traditional teacher certification process.

Urban school reform is not only possible – it is happening. Chicago's resurgent public schools are considered to be a model for successful urban school reform. Completing your student teaching in Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is your first step in joining the CPS team in raising academic achievement for all Chicago students – and launching your career.

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) Recruitment Office has identified student teachers as a priority for this year. As a result, the CPS Student Teaching Program is launching this year with a renewed focus on bringing high quality student teachers into CPS classrooms and ensuring that these candidates see their student teaching experience as the beginning of their CPS career.

Benefits of Program

By learning to teach in our classrooms today, you will prepare to give Chicago’s students a better tomorrow. Chicago Public Schools offer a teaching environment that:

Allows growth Encourages innovation Supports teamwork
Fosters the belief that with excellent teachers all students can achieve

As a student teacher in CPS, you will receive guidance and mentoring from accomplished veteran cooperating teachers in diverse educational environments. The CPS Student Teaching Program is not only your opportunity to put your teaching techniques into practice – it is also a career development program that will launch you on the path to impacting student achievement as an educator in CPS for years to come. You will benefit from priority hiring assistance and full-time employment guidance through the CPS Recruitment office.

There are placement opportunities at over 600 elementary, middle, and secondary schools with a variety of educational programs and resources. Student teachers in CPS will receive The Learning Curve, a newsletter aligned with the Illinois Professional Teaching Standards, which offers useful information and strategies during student teaching. There is a biannual CPS Student Teaching Summit with workshops on classroom management, literacy strategies, and reflective teaching practice.

CPS is the third largest district in the country and is a premier urban district in the midst of incredible positive change. Become a part of this change; student teach in CPS.

Click here to apply to the CPS Student Teaching Program.

Please contact Dameka Redic at studentteach@cps.k12.il.us or 773-553-1191 with any questions.

Legal Statement (Title IX): It is the policy of the Board of Education of the City of Chicago not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, age, disability or sex. Inquiries concerning the application of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and the regulations promulgated thereunder concerning sex discrimination should be referred to the Title IX Officer, Chicago Public Schools, 125 S. Clark St., Chicago, Illinois 60603, 773-553-2688 (TTY-773-553-2699).

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