At Lake Superior State University, Secondary Education students learn to teach with communities, not just in classrooms—through hands-on preparation, close faculty mentoring, and real classroom experience from day one.
Schools across Michigan and the nation need thoughtful, well-prepared secondary teachers—especially in rural and regional communities. At LSSU, we prepare future educators who are ready on day one and committed for the long haul.
Students learn to design curriculum rooted in local communities, histories, and environments, preparing them to teach where they live and serve.
You don’t wait until senior year to step into schools. Fieldwork is built in early and often.
Close collaboration with regional middle and high schools means real classrooms, real mentors, real experience—not just simulations.
Small cohorts. High-touch advising. Professors who are former teachers, researchers, and mentors—not distant lecturers.
Students learn to ask strong questions, use evidence, and reflect on practice—skills that matter in today’s classrooms.
I will always be grateful for the opportunity that LSSU provided me to better myself! Go Lakers!
-Alumni teaching in Michigan
The flexibility that the Lake State Education program offers is unmatched. I was able to do my student teaching in a town over 4 hours away from campus at my own request. The Education Faculty was extremely accommodating and had faith in me the entire time in spite of the fact that I was so far from Sault Ste. Marie.
Alumni teaching in MichiganNot at all. Many students enter the program with little or no prior experience in schools. That’s exactly what the program is designed for.
You’ll begin with guided field experiences that help you learn how classrooms work, how to build relationships with students, and how to plan and teach lessons. Over time, you’ll take on more responsibility, with support from faculty and mentor teachers at every step.
Yes. The program prepares you to teach in a wide range of settings, including rural, suburban, and urban schools.
You’ll learn how to adapt your teaching to different communities, work with diverse student populations, and design instruction that is responsive to students’ experiences and needs. Wherever you teach, the goal is the same: to build strong relationships and support meaningful learning.
Upon successful completion of the program, you’ll be eligible for Michigan licensure in Secondary Education in your content area (e.g., English, Mathematics, Social Studies, Science).
Your advisor will work with you to determine exactly which tests are required and help you plan when to take them.
Student teaching is a major milestone, and you won’t do it alone.
You’ll be supported by a team that includes your cooperating teacher, a university supervisor, and your program faculty. They’ll observe your teaching, provide feedback, and help you reflect and grow over time.
You’ll also stay connected with your cohort, so you can share experiences, problem-solve, and support one another throughout the semester.
Teaching is demanding—and deeply community-oriented. At LSSU, we prepare secondary teachers who are reflective, capable, and committed to the places they serve.