ITILP Field Placements

All field placements (pre-internship and internship) must be obtained by the candidate.

60 Hours of Pre-Internship Field Experiences

  1. Location of experiences can be in any Iowa 7-12 classrooms in the endorsement area. Having a variety of experiences will expand one’s understanding of teaching, yet having consistency in schools also has its benefits. ITILP recommends that the May term field experience occur in the internship school, if possible. (See #7 below.)
  2. Once applicants are fully admitted to ITILP, they will be provided with letters of introduction that identify the candidate as fully admitted to the ITILP.
  3. The “Letter of Introduction” explains the field experience and requires the signature of the building principal.
  4. The “Letter of Introduction” is specific to the field experience and states the requirements of the candidate and how the host teacher can assist the candidate.
  5. Candidates should begin the search for field placements at the district's human resources office.

Internships

There are several web sites that list openings in Iowa schools. These listings are very fluid and time-sensitive. What makes things harder is that many openings are immediate or begin the ensuing fall semester. But the intern program requires a year of coursework prior to the internship. What can you do?

  1. Until you have signed a contract with a district, do not give up your regular employment. ITILP will keep you in the program until you are able to finish the internship.
  2. After your first year of ITILP coursework, you will be eligible to apply for a substitute authorization, which allows you to teach up to 5 consecutive days in one assignment.
  3. Spend time on the jobs-related web sites such as:
    1. www.IAREAP.net
    2. www.iowaeducationjobs.com/jobs/search.php (Teach Iowa)
  4. Personally contact the district's human resources office before approaching principals.
  5. Register to have districts contact you: http://www.iowaeducationjobs.com/register/register.php
  6. Post your own information: http://www.iowaeducationjobs.com/register/view.php
  7. Begin building a positive and supportive relationship with schools in the geographic area in which you hope to teach. Make yourself known as an asset to the school community.
  8. You may wish to try to complete your pre-internship field experience hours in the district you hope to teach in so that your attributes become more noticed. When a district begins to know you and appreciate you, the district might be willing to hire a long-term substitute while you finish your Intern License requirements.
  9. Do not lose hope! The fiscal situation in Iowa’s schools today is very difficult, and teachers eligible for retirement are not doing so at the usual rate. But when the economy begins to recover, the number of openings will be higher than usual. You will be prepared to fill an important place among Iowa’s youth.