Role of the Cooperating Teacher

• Help the teacher candidate feel comfortable and welcome
• Review school policies and procedures
• Encourage the candidate to get involved in school activities
• Share materials and ideas
• Assist the candidate in developing standards based lessons
• Observe and provide constructive feedback
• Know and implement the co-teaching strategies
• Mentor and guide the teacher candidateModel effective teaching strategies and professional behavior
• Be flexible; allow the teacher candidate to try new ideas
• Communicate expectations
• Be understanding and patient
• Maintain consistency and accountability

Role of the Teacher Candidate

• Come ready to learn; be enthusiastic and show initiative
• Introduce yourself to team members and school personnel
• Ask questions and discuss professional issues
• Share ideas and work cooperatively; be flexible
• Help with all classroom responsibilities
• Know your content and be a continuous learner
• Plan engaging, standards based lessons
• Know and implement co-teaching strategies
• Accept feedback and put suggestions for improvement into practice
• Be proactive in initiating communication with your triad members
• Demonstrate respectful behaviors
• Be reflective about your practice
• Be patient with yourself and your cooperating teacher
• Be a sponge; learn all you can from everyone in the building

Role of the Clinical Coach

• Provide a systematic and consistent presence during the student teaching experience
• Provide program information to the cooperating teacher and teacher candidate
• Observe and provide feedback on a regular basis
• Act as a confidant for both the cooperating teacher and teacher candidate
• Be an advocate for the teacher candidate
• Help the team build good communication and facilitate positive interactions
• Set clear expectations; be honest about a candidate’s performance
• Handle difficult situations that might arise
• Schedule three-way conferences at the beginning and end of the experience, and as needed throughout the year
• Be knowledgeable in and supportive of the use of co-teaching strategies
• Communicate with the principal and step in to help solve problems