Welcome
The London Student Teaching Program was created in 1991 by what is now the Childhood/Early Childhood Education Department, in partnership with London Metropolitan University in North London. This innovative spring semester program offers undergraduate students the opportunity to conduct their first student teaching here in the U.S. from January through March, and then travel to the United Kingdom for their second experience from March through June. By living and student teaching in London, students gain first-hand knowledge and global competence in cross-cultural issues. They meet the challenge of teaching in a diverse urban setting and become teachers whose careers are forever changed by the experience.
Nationally it is estimated that only 2-3% of all undergraduate students study abroad. To date, over 120 SUNY Cortland students have participated in the London Student Teaching Program. Their comments indicate the significant impact this experience has had on their personal as well as professional lives, reflecting the excitement of living and working in a vibrant modern European city, with the immense historical backdrop of ancient London within walking distance.
Students are selected for the program and are able to apply for scholarships to assist with expenses. Occurring at the culmination of the bacclaureate degree, the London Student Teaching Program has been likened to the "cherry on top of the hot fudge sundae," as one student described it.
The SUNY Cortland college supervisor for the London Student Teaching Program is a bridge between the two student teaching experiences. Students are first oriented in the U.S. to the British National Curriculum and introduced to their host teachers by video teleconference prior to their travel overseas. Once in London, students participate in a program orientation coordinated by Dr. Simon Pratt-Adams, Senior Lecturer in Education at London Metropolitan University, and their SUNY Cortland faculty supervisor, to prepare them for living and teaching in the London. This orientation is referred to as the "taught" course and is a 3 cr. hr. education elective. After the two-week taught course, students begin their student teaching experience.
This electronic booklet will describe each component of the London Student Teaching Program in more detail, answer frequently asked questions, and show you some examples of our student teachers in London in action! We invite questions and comments about the program, so feel free to contact us.