Teacher Academy

Enhance your resumé with additional practical experience in the schools!

Students say:
 “Joining the USU Teacher Academy was one of the best decisions I made for my education. It allowed me to engage with and become a meaningful part of the school community in ways I wouldn’t have otherwise experienced. The program opened doors for me and provided essential skills that have been crucial in preparing me for my career.”

“I have enjoyed working with a variety of teachers. They have helped me learn new skills and given me opportunities to use teaching practices I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to practice otherwise.”

“This program allowed me to enter my teaching career with more confidence, knowledge, and experience. The opportunities and mentorship from the cohort were pivotal in making me the teacher I am today.”

“There’s a lot that, as students, we don’t get to see about the life of a teacher. The USU Teacher Academy helps remedy a lot of the unknown. This has been such an enriching experience and has taught me far more about what a career in teaching entails before graduation than I would’ve otherwise gotten.”

Teacher Academy students attend and participate in school meetings during their practicum experiences. These meetings include but are not limited to:

• Faculty meetings
• Instructional Team Meetings (ITMs)
• Professional Learning Community (PLCs) and team time
• Data Dives
• Professional Learning

Teacher Academy cohort students have the opportunity to gain valuable experience at the beginning and the end of the school year. A stipend will be paid by USU's Center for the School of the Future to allow cohort students to attend and participate in before-school activities with the teachers at Adams and Logan City School District (prior to the beginning of USU's fall semester) or Old Ephraim Elementary in Cache County School District. Students will be encouraged to attend and participate in the activities at the end of the school year to experience how a school year is concluded.

Participants in the Teacher Academy cohort may also apply to work at the school as an instructional aide or other Education Support Personnel (ESP) hourly employee at the school while they are completing their practicum experience. Employment is not guaranteed. 

Requirements to participate:

• Major in Elementary Education or dual ELED/Early Childhood, with good standing academic status
• Completion of ENGL 1010 & 2010, Math QL courses, and Math QI (Math 2010 & 2020)
• Completion of all Breadth Education requirements (waived if these can be completed during a summer semester)

Additional program requirements:
ELED 4250 Advanced Cooperative Work Experience can be taken every semester during the Teacher Academy program. 
Students are required to be available when school starts (first teacher contract day) in the district, which is earlier than the USU's first day of class. Students are also expected to be in the classroom until the end of the school year, which is after the semester ends at USU. 

Applications are not currently being accepted. Applications will be accepted again starting in January 2026. March 20 is the application deadline.  

To apply:

• On a laptop or desktop computer, navigate to https://egrad.ed.usu.edu/ 
• Click on the "Submit New Form" button.
• Then select “Teacher Education and Leadership” from the Departments list.
• Then select “USU Teacher Academy” from the list of forms and click the "Start Form" button. 
• You will need to have this form filled out and ready to upload in the application. After choosing your saved file, be sure to click Upload.
• Finally, click Submit.  

For additional information, contact Jen Caines, Academic Advisor
jennifer.caines@usu.edu
EDUC 381
(435) 797-2224