Teacher Input

Looking for students/parents with opinions on the undergraduate Teacher Education program at University of Iowa -VS- Indiana University. Tired of everyone saying to save money and go in state or go where you want to teach. I don’t know where I will be living and want to go to the best program suited for me. I’m looking for opinions on these programs from students or parents that have experienced either one.

The reason people say to attend in the state where you want to teach is because each state has different requirements for licensure. If you attend in one state and then want to teach in a different state, you will likely have to take further courses which can take a year or more.

I wouldn’t pay OOS tuition for either of those universities.

If money is no issue, then choose the school that is the better fit. Both are Big Ten schools, and education as a major is so ubiquitous that I cannot imagine one of these major research institutions being head and shoulders above the other. Iowa has always been a center for education in general: the ACT exam was designed, developed, and is still run from Iowa City; the Iowa tests, used to gauge elementary school students’ learning levels, was also developed at U of Iowa. I also love Iowa City, one of my favorite college towns.

But IU, I’m sure, has its list of pros as well. Honestly, though, education departments are everywhere, and many teachers simply went to whatever school was close and affordable, as getting a job as a teacher has very little to do with the name of the undergrad institution. However, again, if money is not an issue, and if having a classic university experience is what is most important to you, then I think your choice should be much more about where you want to go for four years. The education major part will be pretty similar wherever you head off to.

Thanks, if there are students attending either of these schools or parents with students at these schools input would be helpful. Even input from any teachers or principals in the elementary schools would be beneficial. Thanks!

Elementary is tough getting into, which is part of the reason people suggest going to school in an area you’d want to teach in. A lot of connections are made through placements in your observations and student teaching.

It’s also good to pair the elementary ed with special ed if at all possible. That will open up a lot of doors as far as jobs.

I agree with above - fit and affordability is the most important aspect between these two schools. Most state schools offer good education majors.