Student Teaching Outside the Consortium Area

In partnership with the MidValley Consortium (MVC), student teachers are placed in seven school divisions: Augusta, Page, Rockingham, and Shenandoah Counties; and Harrisonburg, Staunton, and Waynesboro City Schools. 
Special requests to student teach outside of the MVC require approval from Field Placement Coordinator and Director of Undergraduate Teacher Education and are subject to the following criteria:

  • The student teaching placement must provide the student teacher with a cultural or educational context not readily available in the MVC.
  • The student teaching placement must provide a strong support base for the student teacher.
  • The student teaching placement must be adequately supervised by qualified teachers and school personnel.
  • The student teaching placement must provide a solid match between the student teacher's major area of preparation and the resources offered by the placement itself.
  • The first student teaching experience must be completed in the consortium area. Special placement requests will be dealt with on an individual basis.
  • A faculty member in the teacher education program must provide a written letter of recommendation for the student teacher.
  • The student teacher shall be responsible for transportation costs of the EMU university consultant that exceed 100 miles per round trip.
  • The student teacher is required to facilitate the setup and management of the streaming/recording technology and to ensure that the university consultant has the required technology for conducting virtual observations and/or conferences. Any costs incurred in virtual supervision are the responsibility of the student teacher.


Additionally, applicants who wish to student teach away from the MV consortium must:

  • write a letter to the Coordinator of Field Placements stating why s/he wishes to student teach in a different locale
  • demonstrate success in her/his first placement
  • demonstrate maturity, independence, academic competence, promptness in completing tasks, and flexibility in dealing with new situations
  • pay any additional costs incurred as a result of the supervisory arrangements and communication expenses
  • take responsibility for all living arrangements and transportation