For Cooperating Teachers
Lawrence’s Approach to Student Teaching
Lawrence’s approach to student teaching is different from many other programs. We ask that student teachers take primary responsibility for teaching only two classes per day. How soon they take over those two classes is up to you, but in general we find the earlier, the better. Student teachers are expected to observe and assist in your remaining classes and, on occasion, to observe other teachers in the school, especially those whose pedagogical approach is exemplary. We find that this mix of modeling and practice provides the optimal environment for student teachers to develop the knowledge and skills to succeed. It also provides time for careful unit and lesson planning, work with individual students, and reflection. Student teachers also meet one evening per week on the Lawrence campus for a student teaching seminar.
You and the student teacher are invited to tailor the student teacher’s experience within this overall framework. For example, which two classes the student teacher teaches can change over the course of the semester so that he or she gains experience teaching units to different groups or at different levels. You and the student teacher may wish to team-teach some classes or portions of classes. In general, most student teachers appreciate having two classes they can call their own. In some cases, student teachers may be given permission to teach more than two classes for a period of time, so long as there are no more than two preparations. Before assigning more than two classes to the student teacher, please contact the university supervisor to discuss the matter.
Expectations
For Student Teachers
Student teachers are expected to be at school for the full school day, to follow all school rules and procedures, and to fulfill all the duties and obligations of a regular classroom teacher. They are expected to prepare comprehensive written lesson plans for their classes and to keep these in a notebook for review by the cooperating teacher and the university supervisor. They are expected to be professional in appearance and conduct at all times, to be responsible and reliable, and to interact positively with students, teachers, staff, administrators, and parents. And they are expected to be receptive to feedback and reflective about their practice, striving hard to become better teachers.
A detailed list of expectations can be found in the Teacher Certification handbook; each student teacher has received a copy and can share it with you.
For Cooperating Teachers
We ask that you share your commitment to the teaching profession; that you provide plentiful opportunities for planning, experiencing, and reflecting; that you offer encouragement and constructive feedback; that you support interaction with other professionals in the building; and that you help the student teacher experience as many aspects of being a teacher as possible. As a mentor, you are the coach and model for this future teacher.
We also ask that you provide workspace for the student teacher, access to curriculum materials, and introductions to key personnel in the building. Please meet with the student teacher daily to provide feedback and discuss plans for upcoming classes—our students welcome frequent feedback and constructive criticism. We would appreciate it if you could release the student teacher as soon as possible after the end of the school day so he or she can fulfill other obligations. If you have any concerns, please contact the university supervisor.
Evaluation
The university supervisor will observe the student teacher four times over the course of the semester and will provide you and the student teacher with a copy of the completed observation form after each visit. The first visit is scheduled in advance so that the university supervisor can meet with you to get acquainted and answer questions. Later visits may be pre-scheduled or unannounced, and you are welcome to contact the supervisor at any time.
Over the course of the semester, the student teacher will gather materials—lesson plans, assignments and assessments, sample student work, etc.—for possible inclusion in a student teaching portfolio. The student teacher uses this portfolio to demonstrate that he or she meets each of Lawrence’s 13 Teacher Education Program Standards, which are based on Wisconsin state standards for teacher licensing. Meeting these standards is a requirement for certification. From time to time, the student teacher may seek your assistance in gathering or scanning materials for this portfolio.
Midway through the semester, the education department will send you an evaluation form to complete; the same form will be used for the final evaluation at the end of the semester. A sample form can be found in the Teacher Certification handbook and under Forms on this website.
Student teaching is graded S/U (satisfactory or unsatisfactory). The final grade is assigned by the university supervisor as required by university policy, but your input is vitally important and influential.
Finally, we should note that in rare cases we have required a student teacher to extend student teaching beyond the normal 18 weeks in order to acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to successful teaching and to demonstrate that he or she meets all of the program standards. Ideally, the student teacher would remain with you, but if that is not possible, we may ask for your help placing him or her with another teacher in your building.
A Note about Videorecording
We encourage students to record their teaching and to review those recordings as a means for improving their practice. From time to time, the student teacher might seek your help in recording a lesson to discuss in the weekly seminar or to use as a source for clips to include in the portfolio. Student teachers know that any collection of sample work, taking of pictures, and recording of lessons must respect pupil confidentiality, and any identifying information must be removed from materials included in the portfolio. You should also know that portfolios are not available to the general public but are viewable only via a key provided by the student teacher. They are typically viewed only by university faculty, potential employers, and other student teachers in the teacher education program.
More information about the Program Standards and Portfolio can be found on this website, where you can also find more information about the Teacher Education Program at Lawrence.
