The Student Teacher should collaborate with you on lesson plans, to get feedback before the lessons are taught. The Student Teacher is responsible for submitting all lesson plans to you by the Thursday prior to the week they plan to teach the lessons. Hopefully, this will allow time on Friday for you to provide feedback before the lessons are taught the following week.
The Student Teacher should also collaborate with you on their Unit Plan before it is taught. The Student Teacher should submit their 5-day Lesson Plan Sequence to you at least one week in advance of the start of it, so that you can provide feedback and approve it before it is started.
As the Cooperating Teacher, your immediate feedback on lessons that the Student Teacher presents will be extremely valuable. This feedback can be verbal for most lessons.
Bi-weekly, you will complete a written evaluation of a lesson, using the Classroom Observation Form in the "Forms" section. This form includes a checklist of things to look for during the lesson, and a place for your written comments. There is also an opportunity for you to highlight questions that you would like the student teacher to reflect on after the lesson.
The verbal and written feedback from you will help the Student Teacher reflect on his/her teaching experience. Please provide a copy of each completed Classroom Observation Form to the Student Teacher and to the University Supervisor.
The University Supervisor will be observing bi-weekly throughout the semester, and completing the same Classroom Observation Form for at least one lesson each week.
From time to time, it may be beneficial to meet with the University Supervisor with the Student Teacher present. In that way, all members of the Student Teaching Team may share important data. These meetings should be scheduled at a mutually convenient time. Please let the University Supervisor know when you would like to schedule meetings for everyone to discuss the progress of the Student Teacher.
Student Teachers are expected to behave in a professional manner and to abide by school policies. In addition, each Student Teacher will be required to dress each day in a manner which the University believes is appropriate and which the school district customarily expects. If you believe that there is a problem with the professional behavior of the Student Teacher, please notify the University Supervisor immediately.
The University Supervisor will be visiting the classroom bi-weekly to offer support for the Student Teacher as well as to offer support for the Cooperating Teacher. It is the responsibility of the Cooperating Teacher to inform the university supervisor immediately of any concerns, so that the issues can be addressed, remediation provided, or the experience terminated.
The Danielson Teacher Effectiveness Model (TEM) will be completed (rating and comments for each component) by the Student Teacher, Cooperating Teacher, and University Supervisor at the mid-point and final evaluation periods of the student teaching placement(s). This assessment is in coordination with the PDE 430 and PDE 430A.
Evaluation should be an on-going process in the growth and development of the student teacher. This responsibility is shared by the Cooperating Teacher, the University Supervisor, and the Student Teacher.
Successful completion of student teaching depends upon team work among the Student Teacher, Cooperating Teacher, and University Supervisor.
Evaluation focuses on identifying areas of strength and weakness and suggesting strategies and techniques for more effective teaching. The Student Teacher is then able to capitalize on strengths while eliminating the weaknesses.
Students who are at risk of receiving a rating of unsatisfactory on any indicator on the Mid-Term Assessment MUST have a Professional Development Plan to remove that risk prior to the Final Assessment. Unsatisfactory ratings on the final assessment will result in a failing grade for student teaching.
Grading is the culmination of the evaluation process. A judgment is made concerning the degree to which a student has met specific goals and objectives and the degree of attainment of both the generic and teaching field competencies. Although a grade for the experience is important, it is not the only indicator of the student’s ability to teach but grades do give a general indication of the quality of the student’s achievement. Legally, the assignment of a grade for student teaching is the responsibility of the University Supervisor.
CONTRIBUTION TO THE EVALUATION PROCESS
STUDENT TEACHER
Completes TEM Assessment (Mid & Final)
Submits completed attendance forms to the University Supervisor
Submits course assignments on Canvas for the University Supervisor to evaluate
COOPERATING TEACHER
Completes TEM Assessment (Mid & Final)
Completes bi-weekly observations of the Student Teacher using the Classroom Observation Form for feedback
Signs attendance forms provided by the Student Teacher
UNIVERSITY SUPERVISOR
Completes TEM Assessment (Mid & Final)
Completes bi-weekly observations of the Student Teacher using the Classroom Observation Form for feedback
Evaluates course assignments submitted by the Student Teacher on Canvas
Completes the PDE430 forms to be placed in student files