Lana Oconnell
Student teaching is a requirement for many aspiring educators, but the question of whether student teachers should be paid is a contentious one. Student teachers are often required to do the work of a full-time educator without pay, which can cause financial stress and deter aspiring teachers from entering the profession. While some student teachers may receive a living stipend or have their pay deferred until after their teaching placement ends, others must balance their teaching responsibilities with a paid job to make ends meet. Some student teachers are organizing to advocate for paid student teaching placements, but the question remains: who will pay them—the school, the university, or the state?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Student teaching pay | No pay |
| Student teaching pay | Pay |
| Student teaching pay | Living stipend |
| Student teaching pay | Deferred paychecks |
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What You'll Learn
Student teachers often face financial stress and are unpaid
Student teaching positions are typically unpaid, which can cause financial stress for aspiring educators. Student teachers are required to work full-time without compensation, and many struggle to balance their internships with paid jobs to make ends meet. This has led to calls for paid student teaching internships, with some states and universities offering stipends or salaries to qualifying student teachers.
Student teachers often face financial stress due to the demanding nature of their internships and the lack of compensation. Juggling an internship with a paid job can be challenging, as some professors advise against working during internships to focus on the demanding workload. This leaves many student teachers in a difficult position, having to choose between their financial stability and their education.
Some student teachers have opted to live with their parents during their internships to save money, while others work part-time jobs nights and weekends to get by. However, this can be exhausting and impact their performance. Student teachers are advocating for change, calling for paid internships or stipends to ease their financial burden and allow them to focus on their education.
While some argue that schools or districts should not be responsible for paying student teachers, there is a growing consensus that some form of compensation is necessary. States like Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New Mexico, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Utah have implemented or piloted stipend programs, with amounts ranging from $3,000 to $20,000. Additionally, some universities offer teacher residency programs with stipends or salaries, providing much-needed financial support to student teachers.
The push for paid student teaching internships or stipends is gaining momentum as states grapple with teacher shortages. By offering financial support, states aim to attract and retain educators, ensuring a stable pipeline of qualified teachers. While progress is being made, there is still work to be done to ensure that student teachers receive the financial recognition they deserve.
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NEA champions residency programs offering tuition assistance
Student teachers are often required to do the work of a full-time educator without pay, causing many to experience financial stress. In response, the National Education Association (NEA) has championed residency programs that offer tuition assistance and stipends to attract and retain new teachers. These programs provide intensive, year-long teaching experiences under the mentorship of an experienced educator.
The NEA's residency programs aim to address the financial challenges faced by student teachers, who often struggle to balance their internships with paid jobs to make ends meet. By offering tuition assistance and stipends, these programs make it easier for aspiring educators to focus on their training and gain valuable hands-on experience in the classroom. This support helps attract talented individuals to the teaching profession and ensures they receive the guidance and community they need during their first years on the job.
One example of a successful NEA residency program is the San Francisco Urban Teacher Residency (SFUTR), a partnership between Stanford University and the San Francisco Unified School District. SFUTR graduate Cecilia Frisardi, who studied environmental conservation, initially wanted to work as a field biologist. However, the temporary and hourly nature of such jobs led her to pursue a career in teaching, where she could have reliable employment and health insurance. Through the SFUTR program, she earned a stipend and tuition assistance, allowing her to obtain a master's degree and teaching certification while knowing she had a guaranteed job in a school after graduation.
Another benefit of NEA residency programs is their focus on social justice and educational equity. Participants gain a deeper understanding of how race, culture, poverty, and other factors impact students' needs and their own perceptions. They learn to identify and address biases, both systemic and personal, to create more equitable learning environments. This aspect of the programs not only improves the quality of teaching but also helps retain teachers from diverse backgrounds, such as Jaime Vazquez, who grew up in south central Los Angeles and may not have had the opportunity to become a teacher without the financial support and community provided by a teacher residency program.
NEA's residency programs offer a comprehensive approach to supporting aspiring educators by addressing financial barriers, providing mentorship and community, and promoting social justice in education. By championing these programs, the NEA is helping to ensure that talented individuals have the opportunity to pursue teaching as a career and are well-prepared to make a positive impact in their classrooms.
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College students are organizing to end unpaid placements
College students from across the country are organizing to end unpaid student teaching placements. Student teachers, many of whom are under financial stress, are required to do the work of a full-time educator without pay. While it was once common for college students to take on unpaid internships, over time, compensation has been added to many professional programs—except teaching.
Some professors advise candidates not to get paid jobs during their internships because the internships are so demanding of time and energy. It is hard to succeed if they also have to work. For example, Bridgeforth, a college student who needs to earn money, says: "I do everything on my own, from keeping my apartment to paying for tuition. Juggling my internship, campus classes, and my job is difficult."
Bridgeforth's experience pushed her to lead efforts to change this equation in Maryland. Additional initiatives are percolating in other states, focusing on three problems: unpaid internships, lack of transportation resources, and too little control over where student teaching candidates are placed. Bridgeforth and other aspiring educators are networking with their peers and lobbying lawmakers to pass legislation that would offer pay to student teachers.
At the University of Michigan, students involved in a national student-led campaign, Payments for Placement (P4P), began organizing in late fall 2021. They demanded that the University compensate all MSW students for the time they spend in their field placements at a rate of $20 per hour. They circulated a petition and submitted it to the social work dean and university leadership, requesting that this money be added to the School of Social Work's annual budget. They also staged an organized walkout in March 2022, in which about 80 students participated.
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Student teachers can receive payment through grants and scholarships
Student teaching is a full-time commitment that requires a lot of time and energy, and often, student teachers are not paid for their work. However, there are some options for financial support in the form of grants and scholarships.
One option is the Federal Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program, which provides up to $4,000 per academic year for students pursuing their first undergraduate or post-baccalaureate program, and up to $8,000 for graduate students. To be eligible, students must complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and agree to meet specific teaching requirements within eight years of completing the program. Similar to the TEACH grant, the Illinois Special Education Teacher Tuition Waiver (SETTW) program also offers financial support to student teachers.
There are also scholarships available specifically for education majors, such as the AFCEA STEM scholarships, which offer awards ranging from $2,500 to $5,000 to undergraduate students pursuing a bachelor's degree in education. The National Council for Teachers of Mathematics offers scholarships worth up to $10,000 to teachers pursuing a career in secondary-level mathematics. Additionally, the Program of Mathematics Study & Active Professionalism Grants provides up to $24,000 to qualified teachers interested in pursuing a graduate degree in mathematics education.
Some organizations, such as Salem University, also offer financial aid and loans specifically for education majors, including those pursuing a graduate degree. Universities may also offer pay-as-you-go options for students who rely on personal income to finance their degrees. While student teaching may not always come with a salary, these grants and scholarships can provide much-needed financial support to aspiring educators.
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Some student teachers receive a living stipend
Student teaching placements are typically unpaid, and student teachers are often required to do the work of a full-time educator without pay. However, some mentor teachers who host student teachers may receive a living stipend to compensate for the extra work and time involved in supervising and mentoring a student teacher. The amount of the stipend can vary depending on the university, district, and duration of the placement. For example, a teacher in one district mentioned receiving a $500 stipend for a 14-week student teaching placement, while another teacher in a different district received $250 for a 7-week placement. In some cases, the stipend may be as low as $25 for an entire semester or as high as $2500. Additionally, some programs may offer tuition reimbursement or credits toward certificate renewal and salary advancement instead of a monetary stipend. While student teachers themselves do not typically receive a stipend, efforts are being made by college students and organizations like the NEA to advocate for paid student teaching placements and provide support for aspiring educators.
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Frequently asked questions
Student teachers are generally not paid for their work as full-time educators. However, some people have reported receiving a living stipend during their student teaching placements.
Student teachers are not paid because schools cannot afford to pay two teachers for one classroom.
While student teachers do not have to pay to teach, they often have to take out loans to support themselves during their placements.
Student teachers are often required to pay tuition on top of their living expenses. Some residency programs offer tuition assistance to help attract new teachers.
Some student teachers work part-time jobs nights and weekends to support themselves. Others have reported receiving paychecks from their schools, which were deferred until after their student teaching semester.
