Stillman Teacher Education Program (STEP) Orientation for Principals and Cooperating Teachers

Dean’s Message Thank you for being our partner in preparing future educators. We welcome your talent and expertise as you assist our interns. Mainly, we appreciate your wiliness to invest time and effort in order to be a support system for our teacher candidates’ internship experience. I am excited about our continued collaborative efforts in preparing future teachers for the real world. We cannot do it without you! Linda Bradford, Ph.D.

CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK EFFECTIVE PROFESSIONAL EDUCATOR MODEL

STEP Stillman Teacher Education Program The STEP Model represents the relationship between the components of the unit’s teacher program and thereby demonstrates the principle of coherence among the STEP experiences. EFFECTIVE PROFESSIONAL EDUCATOR

STEP Stillman Teacher Education Program The Outer Circle represents the background that pre-candidates bring with them to college.

STEP Stillman Teacher Education Program The Inner Circle contains the preparation curriculum that adds new, in-depth learning to the existing background.

STEP Stillman Teacher Education Program The Star represents the related outcomes achieved by the candidates as they move through the curriculum.

STEP Stillman Teacher Education Program The Center Circle represents the culmination of the interrelated flows of knowledge and experience designed and focused to achieve “the effective professional educator.” EFFECTIVE PROFESSIONAL EDUCATOR

Teacher Education Candidates-- must learn how to: Inquire Synthesize Implement Reflect Collaborate 5 Assessment Outcomes

STEP Professional Dispositions Responsible Committed Ethical

Responsibilities of the Cooperating Teacher: Complete contract form with the Director of Teacher Education. Complete formal observations using the Clinical Practice Observation Performance. Evaluate the interns at midpoint and end of internship Complete disposition at the end of the placement. Model best practices, strategies and techniques and procedures for the teacher candidate. Conference with your student teacher daily. Do not assume anything, be assertive, and provide constructive feedback.

Teacher Education Handbook (online) Become familiar with: ~ your role as a principal/cooperating teacher ~ policies and program information ~ STEP transition points ~ STEP conceptual framework

Candidates’ Responsibilities Candidates should not use a cell phone, which includes texting, during the school day. Cell phone may be used during breaks only and must be left in the silent mode position. Candidates are to be proactive and professional behavior is expected at all times. Candidates are allowed 2 excused absences for the semester.

Daily Schedule for Teacher Candidates: Cooperating Teacher’s schedule is the candidate’s schedule which includes early duty, late duty, faculty meetings and professional development.

Candidates must be on time everyday and well prepared to teach. No employment interviews are to be scheduled during the school day. All appointments are to be scheduled after school hours. Candidates should be prepared and organized.

Professionalism Teacher candidates are to dress professionally. They are NOT to wear: hats jeans short skirts tennis shoes low necklines tops that expose the midriff male candidates are expected to wear a dress shirt (and tie if your school dress code requires).

On Campus STEP Seminars Attendance is mandatory for all seminars provided for interns. Candidate has schedule of required attendance dates.

Student Candidate Do Not’s: Teacher Candidates are not to transport students at anytime! Teacher Candidates must be supervised at all times during the instructional day. Teacher Candidates do not serve as a substitute teacher while completing the Clinical Practice. However, they can implement instruction in the absence of the CT if a qualified substitute is present in the classroom. Teacher candidates are not teachers’ aides, they are to be engaged in the daily instruction. If papers are to be graded or materials prepared, (ex. running off papers, running errands, recording grades) this must be done during planning time, before school or after school.

Emergency Phone Numbers If at any time, problematic issues surface, please contact the College Supervisor or the Education Service Unit: Dr. Marcia Millet-205-247-8009 Education Unit – 205-247-8000