Begin Your Block 4 & Block 5 Experience
Following successful completion of Block 1 Clinical Observations and Block 2 Clinical Experience, students enrolled in the College of Education’s six programs of study progress to the next phase of their clinical practice. During this stage, teacher candidates are mentored by a cooperating teacher to implement effective teaching strategies and design curriculum-based lesson plans each week.
Clinical Experiences Placements Application, Spring 2026
The application is now open for students entering Block 4 & Block 5 or the Teacher Immersion Program (TIP). If you missed the deadline for the Clinical Experiences Placements Application, or if you have any questions related to your application, please contact the Office of Clinical Experiences & Partnerships: infoclinexp@fgcu.edu. Application opens October 1, 2025, at 12 am and closes October 15, 2025, at 11:59 PM
FGCU College of Education Blocks 4 & 5 Resources
All students planning to complete a Block 4 or 5 field experience course need to apply for a placement. College of Education students will be assigned to a placement. Once the application is closed, students should contact their COE advisor.
Applying for Fall Placement:
Opens in March (closes March 15th)
Applying for Spring Placement:
Opens in October (closes October 15th)
Teacher candidates are placed in collaboration with our five-county regional school districts. Placements are designed to provide intentional exposure to varied educational settings and effective mentors. Once placements are confirmed, candidates will receive an email with details about their assigned school, grade level, and cooperating teacher.
All students must complete the background screening requirements prior to the beginning of the semester for their placement. Child & Youth Studies majors will be provided specific directions by the course instructor.
Collier County: Blocks 4 & 5
Background Screening Procedure
Lee County: Blocks 4 & 5
Lee County Fingerprinting Information
Charlotte County: Blocks 4 &5
Mandatory orientations will be held to review expectations and requirements during the first week of each semester. Students should see the Canvas course for orientation details.
Resources for Evaluators - Clinical Experiences & Internships
Clinical Experience and Internship: This culminating phase occurs during the final two semesters of the teacher preparation program. Block 4 Clinical Experience is a part-time placement, with teacher candidates actively engaged in classrooms for the full day. Block 5 Internship transitions into a full-time, immersive experience. Each of these 12-week experiences is supported by a cooperating teacher and a dedicated instructor/supervisor who provide guidance and oversight throughout the teacher candidate’s journey.
- Pre-conference – Before instruction begins, review the lesson plan and discuss what should take place.
- Observation – Observe in-person and simultaneously have the lesson recorded into GoReact.
- Post Conference – Soon after the lesson, allow the Student Teacher to debrief with you on how the lesson went and ask any questions. Then, provide feedback regarding strengths, questions, areas for improvement, and suggestions. Remember the purpose is to build confidence and improve practice throughout the experience.
- Feedback – Provide accurate written and oral feedback. Include evidence of student learning during the observed lesson, strategically build upon previous feedback, and identify key action steps for improvement. Providing Quality Oral and Written Feedback (PDF)
- Student Reflection – Student views lesson recorded into GoReact and uses features to self-assess and reflect on the lesson. GoReact can be used by evaluators to provide coaching on specific aspects during delivery of instruction.
- Completed and Post Rubric – The completed rubric is provided and is posted to GoReact. Evaluators observing assignments 2 and 4 will use a printed version of the rubric and have the student teacher submit a copy of it to Canvas for course assignments. See a sample of the completed Quality Written Feedback Sample Rubric
Have Questions?
For questions and inquiries related to the field experience and student teaching process, placement and/or application information, please contact the Office of Clinical Experiences & Partnerships.
Office of Clinical Experiences & Partnerships
Merwin Hall (2nd floor, 295)
10501 FGCU Boulevard South
Fort Myers, Florida 33965
(239) 590-7804
infoclinexp@fgcu.edu
Mon-Fri: 8:00am-5:00pm
