EIU Department of Student Teaching and Clinical Experiences

Classroom Observation Request Information 

Observing in Charleston High School

In order to observe in Charleston High School you must do the following:

• Charleston High School has gone to a block schedule where course periods are offered on varying days of the week. Course periods 1, 3, 5, and 7 will be offered on Monday and Wednesday and course periods 2, 4, 6, and 8 will be offered on Tuesday and Thursday. All course periods will meet on Fridays. Additionally, the time of the course periods differ. Course periods on Monday through Thursday will have a specific set of times, but course periods on Friday meet at different times. Prior to  making observation requests, please review the Fall 2024 CHS List for teachers who are willing to have EIU practica students. If there is nothing listed for a specific class period or it is a lunch or prep period, observations cannot be conducted. You may not arrange an observation or other practica experience with a teacher who is not on this list or who has not specified availability without prior approval.  

• Note: The following dates are not available for observations during the 2024-2025 academic year: 

  • September 2, 2024                        January 20, 2025              
  • October 11, 2024                           February 17, 2025
  • October 14, 2024                           March 14, 2025
  • October 24 and 25, 2024               March 17 - 21, 2025
  • November 27 - 29, 2024                April 18, 2025                    
  • December 19 - January 2, 2025            
• Complete the Charleston High School Classroom Observation Request Form.  This form must be completed and submitted at least 7 days prior to the date you would like to visit
• Be sure to check with your instructor as to whether your observation request(s) is/are accepted or denied. Candidate names are sent on late Thursday afternoon to the CHS representative. If your name is not on the list, you may not observe or complete your practica hours.
• If your observation request is approved, make sure to have a copy of your Criminal Background Investigation (CBI). When you sign in at the office for the 1st time, ask the school office personnel if they would like your copy of the CBI or whether they would like to make a copy of your CBI. Your CBI can be picked up in the Dean's Office - Buzzard 1420. You cannot participate in a school without having your CBI.

Observing in Mattoon High School

In order to observe in Mattoon High School you must do the following:

• Each EIU student observing at Mattoon High School MUST bring a copy of their criminal background investigation (CBI) report to Mattoon High School EACH time they go to the school.

• Review the Mattoon High School guidelines for observers.  Also, please follow their required Visitor Policy when you arrive at the school for an observation.

• Review the Fall 2024 MHS List for classes in your teachers who are willing to have EIU practica students. Only the course periods marked "yes" are available for request. In addition, you may not arrange an observation or other practica experience with a teacher who is not on this list without prior approval. 

• Note: The following dates are not available for observations during the 2024-2025 academic year:

  • September 2, 2024                    January 20, 2025
  • October 11, 2024                        February 17, 2025
  • October 14, 2024                       March 7, 2025
  • October 18, 2024                       April 14 - 21, 2025
  • November 5, 2024                          
  • November 11, 2024                         
  • November 27 - 29, 2024                      
  • January 6, 2025                                                                     

• Please note that there may be additional dates due to state testing that may not be available. Check this page before signing up for an observation. 

• All observers must report to the high school office 15 minutes before their scheduled observation and are not allowed to leave until the students are dismissed for that class period.  

• Complete the Mattoon High School Classroom Observation Request Form.  This form must be completed at least 7 days prior to the date you would like to visit.

• Be sure to check with your instructor as to whether your observation request(s) is/are accepted or denied. Candidate names are sent on late Thursday afternoon to the MHS representative. If your name is not on the list, you may not observe or complete your practica hours.
• If your observation request is approved, make sure to have a copy of your Criminal Background Investigation (CBI). When you sign in at the office for the 1st time, ask the school office personnel if they would like your copy of the CBI or whether they would like to make a copy of your CBI. Your CBI can be picked up in the Dean's Office - Buzzard 1420. You cannot participate in a school without having your CBI.

Observing in All Other Schools

In order to observe in all schools other than Charleston High School or Mattoon High School you must do the following:

• Identify the school at which you would like to observe.  Eastern Illinois University must have a contract with any site at which you observe. A list of Illinois schools (with notation as to whether EIU has a contract) can be found by clicking here. If EIU does not have a contract with a given site, you cannot observe at that site until a contract is signed which generally takes 3 weeks. Therefore, you must make your observation request a minimum of 14 days in advance of the scheduled observation.  If EIU has a contract (MOU) with the school your request form must be submitted at least 7 days prior to your visit.

• Contact both the principal and the cooperating teacher of the given school and make specific arrangements for your visit (date and time) directly.

• Complete the General Observation Request Form.

• Once you have completed the request form, you may make your visit and observation.
• Your instructor will confirm or deny your observation request(s). Dr. Hooser may also deny your observation request if your request is:
• Outside the required request timeline ( 7 days if EIU has an MOU agreement and at least 14 days if EIU does not have an MOU).
• Overlapping with a prior request. An overlap may occur from time to time.
• Out of state
• If your observation request is approved, make sure to have a copy of your Criminal Background Investigation (CBI). When you sign in at the office for the 1st time, ask the school office personnel if they would like your copy of the CBI or whether they would like to make a copy of your CBI. Your CBI can be picked up in the Dean's Office - Buzzard 1420. You cannot participate in a school without having your CBI.

If you have questions or need assistance in scheduling your observations please contact your instructor. Additional questions can be directed to the College of Education Dean's Office, 1420 Buzzard Hall, 217-581-2524.