Wyoming district to pilot new student teaching program

LARAMIE, Wyo. (AP) - A county school district in Wyoming has agreed to pilot a new student teaching program from the University of Wyoming while in the midst of overhauling its College of Education curriculum.

Albany County School District No. 1 board members have agreed Wednesday to the yearlong program for two university students starting next year, the Laramie Boomerang reported Saturday.

The students would work under the supervision of a full-time elementary school teacher for a year and another teacher would provide guidance during the first 10 weeks of the school year, officials said.

Student teaching previously involved one semester without pay and the new program places a student teacher in a district for a full academic year, officials said.

The students would be paid a $22,230 stipend during the second semester of student teaching and receive medical benefits, school officials said.

The district is unlikely to use the program long term, District Superintendent Jubal Yennie said.

The program could be used to fill teacher shortages in rural districts, Yennie said.

Students would receive their degrees upon completion of the fall semester, officials said.