Academics
First established in the early 1960s, the ACM Urban Education Program has had a long tradition of engagement with Chicago schools and the city’s education community. ACM student teachers in Chicago are among the best-equipped new professionals entering the field of education, and they join an extensive network of ACM alumni in the city’s schools and education-related organizations.
Recommended credit for the program is 16 semester credits or the equivalent. Students should consult their advisors about the amount and distribution of credit before enrolling in the program. The curriculum for the semester-long student teaching experience with the Urban Education program is as follows:
Student Teaching
Student teachers are placed in Chicago school classrooms with carefully-selected mentors and supervisors, where they fulfill all requirements for the final practicum stage of their teacher certification program.
Student Teaching Seminar
In the weekly student teaching seminar course, students reflect on cross-cultural history and educational theory in the context of their day-to-day lives in the classroom. Small-group resource sessions provide additional opportunities for students to discuss issues and questions about teaching, and to receive peer feedback about their practice.
Participatory Action Research
Each student conducts an inquiry into his/her own development as a teacher and completes all the requirements for a compelling Professional Portfolio.
Community Engagement
Student teachers participate in all activities at their placement schools, including faculty and parent meetings, in-service workshops, and school-related community meetings.