Several early childhood/special education majors had the opportunity to spend six weeks student teaching in a small, English-speaking school in the hills of northern Rome during the spring 2026 semester. This experience was part of a faculty-led program developed by David Wachob, teacher education program coordinator from the Department of Career and Wellness Education.
Saint Francis International School provides a blended American and International curriculum to children ages 3–14. The school serves around 180 students who represent a wide range of nationalities. The school is a long-standing member of the Rome International Schools’ Association, representing the best international schools in the region of Lazio.
This program provides a unique classroom experience where IUP teacher candidates are immersed in a culturally unique environment with ESL students from around the world. This was the first cohort of students to complete the Student Teaching in Rome program, and Wachob plans to continue these opportunities for years to come. Students are now able to select experiences in English-teaching schools in either Puerto Rico or Rome.