Education advising appointments typically meet virtually through phone, video chat (Zoom), or an online/remote learning platform. You may meet in-person if arranged with your advisor and as conditions allow.

• Current students may schedule advising appointment using Navigate.
• Prospective students wishing to discuss the steps to become a teacher may contact the Office of Certification and Accreditation at [email protected] or call (616) 331-6650.

GVSU's Education program is in daily talks with school districts, the Michigan Department of Education, and university leadership to discuss the safest options for Field Placements. As events develop around COVID-19, GVSU will abide by all health guidelines. This includes optimal conditions for social distancing, sanitation and health check protocols. We will provide information to students enrolled in field placements as soon as we are able.

• Please check GVSU's Main Coronavirus Information page for updates on the university's plan for on-campus meetings, events, and classes.
• If an event or meeting needs to be converted to a virtual event or rescheduled, the Education programs will communicate via email with all involved as soon as we are able.

The latest information is available on  GVSU's Main Coronavirus Information page.

Also visit the  GVSU Counseling and Psychological Services Website for information about counseling services that are available for students.

Kent County Health Department COVID-19 information

Ottawa County Health Department COVID-19 information

Please see GVSU's main Vaccine and Vaccination Information page for information, resources, and links to schedule a vaccination.

If you are an Education student and you suspect you may have COVID-19, please do the following:

1. Follow your placement school’s protocol regarding absences due to illness (specifically COVID-19). Do NOT attend your field placement. As a GVSU teacher candidate, you have the responsibility for the health and safety of the students that you serve in your field placement classroom and school setting.
2. Connect with your Education University Field Director or graduate practicum supervisor to let them know, and discuss any concerns that you have.

As a GVSU teacher candidate, you have responsibility for the health and safety of the students that you serve in your field placement classroom, school, or practicum setting. If you have been exposed to COVID-19, please alert your university field or graduate practicum supervisor, and your mentor teacher immediately. Discuss any concerns that you have.

If you are completing your Teacher Apprenticeship, Teacher Internship, or Graduate Practicum experience, you are expected to:

1. adhere to the class/school schedule and structure (e.g., in-person, hybrid, online) of your assigned mentor teacher/PK-12 school, or practicum, setting.
2. follow the health and safety guidelines required by your PK-12 school and classroom setting. 
3. complete all requirements of the Teacher Apprenticeship, Teacher Internship, or Graduate Practicum experience outlined in your field course syllabi.

Additional Information for Undergraduate and Graduate Teacher Certification Candidates

Contact your assigned mentor teacher prior to the start of the semester to learn what the learning plan is and what the mentor teacher/your schedule will be.

As we learn more from our partner schools about their learning plans, the Education programs will communicate this information to you. Placements may be:

• face-to-face instruction
• a hybrid format where students are receiving both face-to-face and online instruction
• or a staggered schedule where different students attend school face-to-face at alternating times of the day, on alternating days, or alternating weeks.

If you are an undergraduate student, please contact your University Field Director to discuss concerns.  Should a shift need to be made, your UFD will coordinate with your Field Placement Specialist.  If you are a graduate student, please contact your Graduate Practicum Supervisor or Graduate Program Director.  

• EDI 330 Teacher Assisting Apprenticeship: Elementary. Contact Sheryl Vlietstra at [email protected]
• EDI 430 Student Teaching Internship: Elementary. Contact Liz Storey at [email protected]
• Elementary Field Placement Specialist. Contact Lisa René Norris at [email protected]
• EDI 331 Teacher Assisting Apprenticeship: Secondary. Contact CJ Mehall at [email protected]
• EDI 431/432 Student Teaching Internship: Secondary. Contact Dr. Raul Ysasi at [email protected]
• Secondary Field Placement Specialist. Contact Kym Pawelka at [email protected]
• EDS 332 Methods and Strategies of Special Education Teaching. Contact Dr. Barb Lubic at [email protected]
• Special Education Field Placement Specialist. Contact Denise McConnell-Brown at [email protected]
• EDI 685 Graduate Teacher Certification Program (GTC) Practicum/Graduate Field Placement. Contact Dr. Rosemary Cleveland at [email protected]
• For other Graduate 685 program students, please contact your Graduate Program Director.

Students in teacher apprentices, internships, and practicums are expected to complete the required clinical field experiences to earn academic credit. This is a mandatory requirement for Michigan Department of Education (MDE) teacher, administrator, or school counselor certification. Students who have been notified of a cancellation of their clinical field placement should contact the appropriate Field Placement Specialist or Graduate Program Director immediately.

All candidates being recommended for teacher, administrator, or school counselor licensure in the state of Michigan must complete the MDE required amount of clinical field experience hours. In addition, the field experience is necessary for candidates to demonstrate proficiency across the professional standards, so students are required to complete their clinical field experiences. Should the state of MI, GVSU, or your placement school determine the need to shift completely to remote instruction, the Education programs rely on guidance from the MDE about how candidates can complete the clinical field requirements. In such a case, we will do our best to ensure minimal disruption to your field clinical experience and that you have the opportunity to demonstrate the professional standards for your area of licensure.

Faculty carefully plan each semester. As we are able, seminars and professional development will be offered in-person, online synchronously (everyone online/in class at same time), or in a hybrid format. Please refer to the Banner schedule to determine specifically how your seminars, professional development, and other associated education courses will be formatted.

Regardless of format, all students will be expected to fulfill the requirements that are indicated on the course syllabus. Any concerns related to the ability to meet specified deadlines should be addressed with your seminar instructor, your University Field Coordinator, or course instructor. 

Should you have a concern related to the use of technology for coursework or technology use required in your placement setting, please refer to the following resources. You may also contact your University Field Director or Graduate Program Director.

• Technology Requirements for Online/hybrid Courses
• Tips for Online Learning

It depends on your individual circumstance. The GVSU Incomplete Grade Policy must be followed. All clinical field requirements must be satisfactorily completed to earn course credit and ensure that the earned grade is posted to the Banner system, prior to recommendation to the state for teacher, administrator, or school counselor certification and graduation.

Please contact the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships with any tuition questions.

• Review the academic calendar to determine the deadlines associated with course payment.
• Special Circumstance and Financial Hardship Requests

Padnos International Center is resuming study abroad programs as international travel conditions allow. Please contact your study abroad director and your University Field Director to confirm if a program is currently running. 

• Dr. Sherie Klee, [email protected], for Education supported study abroad experiences.
• Dr. Lisa Kasmer, [email protected], for College of Liberal Arts and Sciences supported study abroad experiences.