Student Teaching Jobs

Rather part of a bachelor’s degree of master’s degree program, student teaching is the culmination of a teacher’s preparation.

As part of the college or university’s program, an education major is paired with a cooperating teacher. The experience begins with an observation period. Then the student teacher gradually takes on responsibilities until he has taken over the normal classroom duties of the teacher. The length of a student teaching experience is usually a semester. The experience is usually graded as pass or fail.

Besides a cooperating teacher, each student teacher is assigned a supervisor from the college or university. The supervisor will visit and evaluate the student teacher’s performance several times during the experience. They will meet to discuss strengths and areas of weakness in the student teacher’s lessons, classroom management, and instruction techniques. A similar observation process occurs with the cooperating teacher.

Relationships between the cooperating teacher and student teacher can sometimes be awkward. It is important for both participants to know their roles and responsibilities. The college or university will provide specific requirements of all participants. There may be certain tasks the student teacher must complete like integrating technology into a lesson, writing daily reflections over the lessons, and creating a teaching portfolio. The cooperating teacher is responsible for providing feedback, completing evaluations, and planning with the student.

The student teacher should be given the freedom to design and implement lessons that are applications of what he has learned from his education experience. He is not there to merely continue in the exact footsteps of the cooperating teacher. In turn, the student teacher must take the position seriously being professional at all times. He should respect the classroom environment that exists and work to maintain a respectful relationship with the cooperating teacher.

Going above and beyond leads to outstanding references from the cooperating teacher and supervisor.

If possible, the student teacher should look for opportunities beyond the regular classroom duties to become involved during the experience. Attending a Parent Teacher Organization meeting, asking to observe an Individualized Education Plan meeting, or attending the students’ band concert are all examples of becoming highly involved in the school. If feasible, the student teacher should arrive early and stay late to ensure that he is prepared for the day and is assuming the majority of the teaching responsibilities. Also, it is beneficial to network and form as many positive, professional relationships during the experience as possible.