The Student Teaching Internship…. Your role as a Cooperating Teacher…

Teach! Student interns receive individualized instruction – you are the instructor. This is how I would do it

Communicate with intern and university supervisor

Hold daily/weekly conferences so interns can be apprised of their progress (+ or -) and corrective action taken, if necessary.

Motivate by example (teaching is fun, but a profession)

Allow the intern to shadow you in all school activities

Assist the intern when he/she struggles

Some Cautions

Avoid overloading the intern

Avoid the God complex … Interns are not placed in your department to serve you… they are there to learn how to teach

Avoid being the intern’s best friend. Student teaching is a class… You are the teacher: The intern is the student.

Avoid using the intern to do your work Interns have their own assignments. Be careful to keep your classes separate from those of your intern.

Be constructive in your criticism. Interns are students under a lot of stress – especially if they feel they are under a microscope all of the time. They are learning how to become a successful teacher.

Be fair and accurate in assigning grades Student teaching is a class (AEC 4942). Grades should be assigned based upon a fair evaluation of performance and adherence to the class grading policy. Not everyone will receive an “A” for their internship grade.

Students cannot be used as substitute teachers. State law places liability for anything that happens with (or to) interns with the local school system. Interns are to be under the direct supervision of their cooperating teacher at all times.

Avoid overloading student teachers. All interns are different. Some can assume heavier loads than others. Determine the pace at which your intern can assume responsibilities.