1. Cooperating Teacher Student Teacher Supervisor

2. Expectations
What is expected of me, and what are things that I should expect of my student teacher and their supervisor?
Teamwork
Attendance
Lesson Plans
Cooperating Teacher’s Role
Supervisor’s Role

3. Teamwork Student Teacher Cooperating Teacher College Supervisor
“Learning and teaching should not stand on opposite banks and just watch the river flow by; instead, they should embark together on a journey down the water…”
Malaguzzi, Loris, quoted in The Hundred Languages of Children

4. Attendance Attendance:
Your student teacher must follow the school calendar, including make- up days scheduled due to weather.
Absences are only acceptable in extreme circumstances (death in immediate family, illness)
Approval for pre-planned absences must be obtained from both the cooperating teacher and the college supervisor.
Lesson plans must be submitted during an absence
Multiple absences, frequently arriving late or leaving early are not permitted. Please talk with the student teacher and report these issues to the college supervisor immediately.

5. Student Teacher
Student teaching is the student teacher’s first priority and a full time job.
He/She is expected to:
Work the same hours as their cooperating teacher
Attend professional meetings, including faculty meetings, parent conferences, and in-service workshops
Take part in extra curricular activities
“One must be a student before one can be a teacher.” –Chinese Proverb

6. Lesson Plans Student teachers are expected to write daily lesson plans
The format should be what works best for you and your student teacher
Lesson plans need to include the following
Standards
Objectives
Materials
Procedure
Assessment
Post-Teaching Reflection

7. Cooperating Teacher Mentor, Model, Support
Observe – Realize that student teachers will make mistakes. Look for the positive and be specific.
Share, assist with and review lesson plans
Communicate – Provide feedback and suggestions
Gradual Release of Responsibility – Be willing to leave the classroom
Meet and review progress using the assessment form as a guide
Complete final assessment form

8. Cooperating Teacher Consider Team Teaching at first
Behavior management is often a concern for student teachers. Share ideas for behavior management, but let your student teacher decide how they will handle discipline
With your guidance allow your student teacher to try new ideas, then ask them to reflect on how this worked.
Observe thoughtfully
COMMUNICATE

9. Gradual Release of Responsibility
Week 1
• Observe cooperating teacher
• Become familiar with daily routines, discipline plans, expectations
• Learn student names and seating chart
• Become familiar with texts, and other curriculum materials
• Review and become familiar with district, school and classroom policies
• Become familiar with the office area, librarian, special teachers, custodial
staff, lunchroom staff and playground areas
• Look for opportunities to interact with students: Greet students, facilitate
practice sessions, tutor small groups or individuals, assist with lessons

10. Gradual Release of Responsibility
Week 2-3
• Plan lessons for one new subject each week
• Begin team teaching, and serve as team teacher for all lessons by the end of 3
weeks.
• Assume clerical responsibilities for the classroom
• Plan unit outline
Week 4
• Plan lessons for at least 3 subjects
• Finalize plans for new unit
• Begin fulltime teaching

11. Gradual Release of Responsibility
Week 5-6
• Full time planning
• Full time teaching
• Prepare, develop and administer assessment instruments
Week 7
• Begin phasing out of teaching
• Complete necessary student assessments
• Observe other building teachers
• Complete all portfolio artifact preparations from experience
Weeks 1-7
• Attend all faculty meetings & professional development workshops
• Be a part of meetings with parents and other staff members

12. 4-Week Gradual Release of Responsibility
For student who may be doing a shorter 4-week experience the following timeline is a suggestion
Week 1
This will be the same as the full 14-week placement
Week 2
• Plan lessons for one new group/ subject each day
• Teach or serve as team teacher for all lessons by the end of this week.
• Assume clerical responsibilities for the classroom
Weeks 3
• Full time planning
• Full time teaching
• Prepare, develop and administer assessment instruments
Week 4
• Begin phasing out of teaching
• Complete necessary student assessments
• Observe other building teachers
• Complete all portfolio artifact preparations from experience

13. College Supervisor Expect the supervisor to visit every 5 to 10 days
Can help you plan for the gradual release of responsibility to the student teacher
Your primary contact with the Luther College education program
Meet with cooperating teacher and student to review midterm progress and before completing final evaluation
Any concerns should first be addressed with the Luther College supervisor.

14. Comments From A Student Teacher
I have just finished my first placement and also had a positive experience. My Cooperating Teacher included me in all activities, asked my opinion, and made me feel as though I was part of the group no matter where I was in the school (in the classroom, teacher's lunch room, etc). Onthe first day he told the students that “now there are 2 teachers in the classroom”, so that when I am speaking, they would behave well and have to listen to me. He really made me feel comfortable and important. He also gave me very positive and useful feedback when I taught in front of the class. He would ask me beforehand what I wanted him to watch for. I learned so very much from him. He gave so much of himself. I always felt comfortable asking him questions and he always had time for me. -Eileen

15. Welcome Your Student Teacher
Welcome your student teacher as a fellow teacher.
Expect your student teacher to be nervous. Ask questions rather than making suggestions.
Locate an area in your classroom where they can work. Provide a desk if possible
Communicate daily. A journal might be a useful means of communication.
Orient your student teacher to the building as well as to your school staff.
Make your student teacher feel at home in your classroom. Introduce him/her in your school newsletter.  
Enjoy the experience, but set professional standards. Expect your student teacher to dress professionally and act as a professional toward the students.

16. Resources Luther College Education Website:
Here you will find:
Luther Student Teaching Handbook
Links to complete the final on-line evaluations
All required documents such as the W9 form

17. Stipend
All Cooperating Teachers receive a stipend for hosting a Luther Student Teacher in their classroom.
To process your stipend payment, Renee Gunderson needs to collect a W9 form from you. A blank W9 form is available for download on the Luther Education website (
Renee will also wait to process your payment until she receives a narrative from you concerning your student teacher.
These two documents can be faxed, ed or mailed to:
Renee Gunderson Luther College Education Dept. 700 College Drive Decorah, IA
Phone: Fax:

18. THANK YOU!