Student Teachers/Practicum

 

At Kearney Public Schools, we love welcoming future educators into our district! Whether you are completing practicum hours, field experience, or student teaching, our classroom doors are open to help you grow. Through our strong partnership with UNK, aspiring teachers train alongside dedicated mentor teachers who are passionate about sharing their expertise and guiding the next generation of educators.

Explore the options below to learn more about our application process and how to start your placement with us.

Student Teaching

To request a student teaching placement with Kearney Public Schools, submit your request through your college or university and list KPS as your preferred district. Once your institution forwards your placement request to us, we carefully pair candidates with the locations and mentor teachers that best align with their goals.

We are almost always able to accommodate placement requests, and your university will notify you as soon as your placement is confirmed.

What to Expect During Your Placement:

• KPS Email Account: You will be provided with a district email address for the duration of your student teaching.

• Extracurricular & Coaching Opportunities: Interested in getting involved beyond the classroom? We offer additional opportunities to gain experience in coaching and school activities.

Practicum Students

 Practicum students from UNK should coordinate directly with their professor rather than contacting KPS teachers or principals individually. Professors submit student placement needs—including any special requirements or preferences—via a shared district spreadsheet. KPS staff then coordinate directly with UNK to review requests, assign placements, and ensure every student gets the classroom experience they need.

If your professor is new to UNK or unfamiliar with this process, please have them email Dr. Herrmann at melherrmann@kearneycats.com.