Urban Program

Urban Program

Learn how to join

Available to IU Bloomington students only

Student teaching placements are made in Chicago, Illinois. Many of these placements are made in the Albany Park and Irving Park neighborhood on the north side of the city, but placements in other areas of the city will be considered depending on placement needs.

Participants will need to arrange their own accommodations with fellow participants, including short-term leases and the possibility of living in a dorm at a local university. The Urban Program is a full immersion experience, so student teachers will be expected to live in or near the city neighborhoods where they will be teaching to learn about their pupils’ communities.

Student spotlight image

Student Spotlight

Sarah Brinegar student taught at Murphy Elementary School in Albany Park, Chicago, in a kindergarten classroom during Spring 2019. "Participating in Global Gateway was easily the best decision I made during my time at IU, and teaching in Chicago was the perfect ending to my undergrad and beginning of my teaching career."

More student stories

Costs and Scholarships

The cost of the Urban Program is comparable to the cost of living on campus during student teaching. The Global Gateway for Teachers cannot provide exact cost information as costs will vary throughout the year and from one individual to the next. Some costs may include:

  • Transportation to Chicago: Students can choose to take their car with them to Chicago, although Chicago’s public transportation, the CTA, may be able to transport students to their schools and other desired locations.
  • Rent: Apartment rent
  • Utilities: Divided amongst apartment tenants
  • Meals and groceries
  • Social expenses: Dinners, cultural immersion activities, weekend excursions, and other social activities

Teaching Responsibilities

Students complete 16 weeks of student teaching in Chicago Public Schools, the third largest school corporation in the United States. Most subject areas and license additions can be accommodated in the schools. Check with us first! In addition to teaching, students are required to be active participants in the school and community, including involvement with extra-curricular activities and other school functions, volunteering at agencies serving the community, running after school clubs and sports, and any other of the abundant opportunities that Chicago offers.

Contact Us

For general program interest or inquiries, please write to us at ggt@iu.edu.

Dr. Laura Stachowski
Director
stachows@iu.edu
(812) 856-8507