Introduction to the Student Teaching Handbook
Dear Student Teacher,
Welcome to the Teacher Credentialing Program! You are about to start one of your credential program's most challenging, demanding, yet rewarding parts. For 16 weeks, you will have the unique opportunity to observe Cooperating Teachers implement many educational theories, teaching methods, and instructional strategies you have learned about in your credential courses. You will assume full teaching responsibilities after observing your assigned Cooperating Teacher and performing various single-classroom activities. You will be in charge of classroom instruction. However, you will not be alone. Your Student Teaching will be guided and supported by your Cooperating Teacher and your USU Supervisor under the guidance of the College of Education, the Assistant Program Director, Program Director, and the Dean of the College of Education. Under the guidance of this team of coaches, you will have an opportunity to practice and implement the important requirements of the CTC.
These requirements include the use and knowledge of:
- The Teacher Performance Expectations (TPE’s)
- The California Department of Education K-12 Common Core State Standards
You are encouraged to make concerted efforts to prepare yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally as you embark on the challenge of student teaching. While the teacher credentialing experience is a great responsibility, if prepared, you can take the greatest advantage of every opportunity. Thus, you will become the best teacher you can be. During the semester of your Student Teaching, you will have to rely not only on the support and guidance of your Cooperating Teacher and University Supervisor but also on your initiative, enthusiasm, patience, and hard work.
District-employed supervisors, referred to as “Cooperating Teachers,” generously welcome you into their classrooms and collaborate with you in working with their students. To show your appreciation and collaborative spirit, we encourage you to support your Cooperating Teacher by offering to make copies, grade student work, gather supplies, and prepare materials and lessons. It is important to remember that the classroom belongs to the Cooperating Teacher, and you are a guest. Teachers work as members of a school team. Likewise, you will be a member of this team during your student teaching assignment. Introduce yourself to the school principal, teachers, and support staff. Attend meetings and professional development sessions as appropriate. Learn the roles and responsibilities of all the staff involved in educating your assigned students. These staff members include librarians, reading specialists, psychologists, instructional assistants, the school secretary, the custodian, etc. They will all play very important roles during your student teaching assignment.
The three key school team members who will work with you closely until you complete your student teaching assignment are your Cooperating Teacher, the University Supervisor, and the Office of Educational Placements and Partnerships (OEPP). They will offer you guidance, advice, suggestions, and recommendations. Also, they will assess your teaching performance and give you positive and constructive feedback. Therefore, feel free to ask them questions about your student teaching experience. Ensure you collect and submit the evaluation at the end of each module. These must be included in your permanent file.
Have a wonderful and successful experience!
- The USU Faculty and Staff