Student Teaching

In partnership with Indiana University, this experience takes you to a Navajo Nation Reservation.

Highlights include:

• Cross-cultural teaching and living experiences
• Contribution to the development and acceptance of cultural pluralism study as a part of the Native American culture
• Opportunities to adapt what you’ve learned and to continue to grow personally and professionally

You’ll spend 17 weeks in schools serving Native American youth on the Navajo Reservations of New Mexico, Arizona and Utah. You’ll be immersed in culture as you live in Bureau of Indian Affairs dormitories and contribute to after school “dorm life.”

More Information

For more information contact Laura Stachowski.

Student Teaching Overseas

Ball State University partners with Indiana University through the Global Gateway for Teachers program, offering students the opportunity to complete part of their student teaching experience abroad.

This unique program combines a 10-week student teaching placement in Indiana with an additional 7-week international placement in countries such as England, Wales, Scotland, the Republic of Ireland, India, Australia, and more. Participants begin by fulfilling course and state licensure requirements in an approved Indiana placement before traveling overseas for the remainder of their experience.

To qualify, students must complete:

• Four university supervisor observations, with the final rating at or above the Basic level for each standard

• Four university mentor teacher benchmarks, with the final rating at or above the Basic level for each standard

• The InTASC summative assessment at a Basic level or higher for each standard

• The edTPA at the university’s passing score. 

• Confirmation of good standing during the first portion of student teaching (attendance, assignments, and dispositions)

For more information, contact  Adam Werling or Learn more here. 

Have you ever imagined student teaching in a 21st-century school operated by the U.S. Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA)? This exceptional opportunity allows Ball State students to work in a collaborative, diverse, and innovative learning environment through our partnership with DoDEA schools in Quantico, Virginia.

Why Choose Quantico?

• Prime location: Just 35 miles from Washington, D.C., offering access to rich cultural and professional experiences.

• Unique student population: Teach children of U.S. military service members and international families in a global learning community.

• Dynamic environment: Work alongside a diverse team of educators on a U.S. Marine base, located near FBI headquarters.

• Career-building experience: Gain hands-on experience in DoDEA (PK–12) schools—an asset that can make you more competitive for future DoDEA or international teaching positions.

• Many former participants have gone on to receive full-time teaching offers within DoDEA schools across the U.S. and around the world.

Immerse yourself in a once-in-a-lifetime teaching and cultural experience through Ball State’s partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) schools located on the Ramstein Air Force Base in Germany. This full-semester international placement allows you to live abroad while completing your student teaching requirements in a supportive and dynamic environment.

Through this program, you’ll have the opportunity to teach American children whose parents are stationed overseas with the U.S. military or employed in diplomatic and federal service roles. This unique placement blends the familiarity of an American-style classroom with the excitement of living and learning in a foreign country—giving you a global perspective that will shape your career and worldview.

During your semester in Germany, you will:

• Gain hands-on experience in a DoDEA school system, serving students from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.

• Live and work in prearranged housing on a U.S. Air Force base in the heart of Europe, surrounded by opportunities for travel and cultural exploration.

• Build lifelong professional skills in adaptability, cross-cultural communication, and global education.

• Strengthen your résumé with international teaching experience, making you more competitive for future positions both in the U.S. and abroad.

This program is ideal for education majors who are passionate about teaching, travel, and global understanding. Participants not only complete their degree requirements but also expand their horizons through immersive cultural engagement.

More Information:

For more information contact Dr. Rachel Geesa.

Through Ball State University’s long-standing partnership with the Aldine Independent School District near Houston, Texas, education majors can gain valuable cross-cultural experience. This partnership provides an incredible opportunity to teach in one of the nation’s most diverse and dynamic school districts while making a lasting impact on students and communities. 

Located in the greater Houston area, Aldine ISD serves a richly multicultural student population and is recognized for its dedication to innovation, equity, and student success. As a Ball State student teacher, you’ll:

• Experience hands-on teaching in schools that embody resilience, creativity, and commitment to educational excellence.

• Develop strong cultural competency and classroom management skills that prepare you to work effectively with students from a wide range of backgrounds.

• Join a supportive community of educators, including numerous Ball State alumni who continue to serve and mentor new student teachers within the district.

• Upon successful completion of student teaching, participants receive a guaranteed job offer and a competitive starting salary.

This placement offers an enriching balance of challenge and support, helping future educators grow both personally and professionally while contributing to a thriving, forward-thinking district.

More Information

For more information check out the Aldine ISD website.

The Teacher Residency program offers an immersive, yearlong experience designed for students majoring in Elementary Education, Early Childhood Education, and Dual Elementary Education/Special Education majors. Students spend both semesters in the same school—building relationships, gaining confidence, and growing as educators.

The fall semester serves as a preparatory placement, with candidates working in their assigned school 8 hours a day, 4 days a week, for 16 weeks, while completing at least 12 credit hours of online courses from the following: EDRD 430, HSE 350, HIST 201, EDPS 393, EDFO 420, and SPCE 302. Any additional required coursework must also be taken online.

During the spring semester, candidates transition into full-time student teaching (5 days per week) at the same placement site, applying everything learned in the fall. No additional coursework is taken during this semester.