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 2025 CHS Faculty List for teachers who are willing to have EIU observation and practicum students. The 3rd column of the spreadsheet specifies whether teachers are willing to take EIU observation candidates (ex. SED 2000), practicum methods candidates, or both. Only sign up for a teacher who will take the type of experience that you are required to complete. For example, if you are in SED 2000 do not sign up with a teacher who only wants to take practicum methods candidates. Additionally, if there is nothing listed for a specific class period or it is a prep period, observations and practica 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 2025-2026 academic year: 

  • September 1, 2025                        January 19, 2026              
  • October 10, 2025                           February 16, 2026
  • October 13, 2025                           March 6, 2026
  • October 23 and 24, 2025               March 16 - 20, 2026
  • November 11, 2025                        April 3, 2025
  • November 26 - 28, 2025                                    
  • December 19 - January 5, 2026  

• 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 2025 Mattoon HS Faculty 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 2025-2026 academic year:

  • • September 1, 2025                        January 19, 2026              
    • October 10, 2025                           February 13, 2026
    • October 13, 2025                           February 16, 2026
    • October 17, 2025                           March 30 - April 6, 2026
    • November 11, 2025                                      
    • November 26 - 28, 2025                                    
    • December 22 - January 5, 2026 

• 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.The observation request form must be submitted at least 7 days prior to your visit. New MOU agreements will not be obtained for students enrolled in observation courses (SED 2000, ELE 2050, and department observation courses). However, new MOUs will be considered for candidates enrolled in methods courses. If a new MOU agreement is required  for a methods placement, a request must be made with at least 14 days notice.  

• 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 the request form is missing information, the request is made outside the required timeline, a request is made to observe in a school for which EIU does not have a MOU agreement, or the request is to observe in an out of state school.
• 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.