The Middle Level Teacher Education program in the School of Teaching and Learning prepares candidates with a unique expertise in teaching young adolescents with a focus on grades 5-8. As an Illinois State Middle Level Program student, you are required to choose two subject areas in which to focus your studies. These concentration areas are supplemented with additional courses from the disciplines related to the concentration areas. Only middle level program in Illinois that prepares candidates in two content areas, giving our graduates greater flexibility in pursuing teaching opportunities. A job market currently experiencing a shortage of teachers Extensive preparation for student teaching, including specific pedagogy courses. Technology skills embedded directly into methods courses. Diversity training in every course. Multiple clinical experiences (more than 300 hours, including teacher institutes and parent-teacher conferences). A variety of available student teaching options. Alignment with standards determined by the Association for Middle Level Education, which ensures the program is kept up-to-date with regard to current research and new teachers' needs. Superior performance by ISU graduates on state licensure tests. A high degree of professional readiness and satisfaction, as reported by our graduates and their supervisors. There is an option to add bilingual and/or ESL endorsements to this program.