A paired placement is a time for collaboration, support and growth. Research has shown that paired placements increase the opportunities for collaboration and differentiation for students.
Candidates in the Multiple Subject program might be in a paired placement for at least one placement.
In a paired placement, two UCI teacher candidates are in the same classroom with the same mentor teacher. The paired placement allows for greater collaboration between the two UCI candidates and the mentor teacher. The collaboration enables the candidates to better meet the needs of students, as well as have regular opportunities for reflection and productive discussions about teaching and learning even when the mentor teacher is not available.
The paired placement model provides flexibility and different arrangements can be made based on the needs of the students, teacher, and student teachers. Emphasis is placed on working and reflecting together, rather than “divide and conquer.”
For example:
Both partners could plan lessons together with their Mentor Teacher.
Both partners and Mentor Teacher could work together to analyze student work and progress.
Student teachers could co-teach lessons, some lessons or work independently with small groups.
One student teacher could be the lead teacher, or they could both take equal responsibility for a lesson.
The paired placement model provides flexibility and different arrangements can be made from lesson to lesson based on the needs of the students, teacher, and student teachers.