The student teaching seminar is a crucial component in the final course work of the music education curriculum, though research that examines the structure and content of this important course is minimal. In this article, we provide in-depth descriptions of sample seminar activities, assessments, resources, and suggestions for creating a…

In this article, the authors explore the roles of university supervisor and cooperating teacher as mentoring partners in the student-teaching process, based on their perspectives as they served in those roles for an elementary general music assignment. Their observations and tips may help current or future student teachers, cooperating teachers,…

This article examines the idea of mentoring and looks at the roles different individuals play in professional development within the preservice teacher education program. The major participants in the process are the preservice teacher, the college faculty members in the teacher education program who provide the foundational knowledge, and the…

Student teaching often provides prospective music educators with a guided teaching experience that they can refer to throughout their professional careers. In the words of one teacher, the author often thinks back to her student teaching experience for strategies in her current teaching and classroom. She had a great cooperating teacher who…

Examines the importance of the cooperating teacher in the education and field experience of the student teacher in music education. Discusses the responsibility of the college to both the student and cooperating teacher, and recommends a five-step process through which the student teacher gradually develops independence in the classroom. (GEA)

Describes an elementary music education student teaching program which provides student teachers with experiences both working with cooperating teachers and having complete, unsupervised control of their classrooms. Teams of three students work independently for four weeks with combined lower-elementary music classes and then work individually…

Sponsoring a student teacher is a tremendous responsibility for a mentor. It is a vitally important time in the life of the prospective teacher, so the teacher needs to carefully consider all aspects of being a mentor. Preparing for a student teacher to come into the classroom is somewhat like preparing for a new family member: everyone must…

Discusses the student teaching experience for future music teachers. Suggests that the quality of the experience is influenced by the school site, the cooperating teacher, the process found at different points of the school year, and the relationship formed between the student and the cooperating teacher. Suggests a partnership between public…

Focuses on the experience of student teaching experience for future music educators. Discusses the importance of the student teaching placement, critical in determining a successful experience. Addresses the challenges during the transition from student to teacher. Provides stories about the student teaching experiences of Susan, Samantha, and…

For eight years, the Department of Early Childhood Education at Northeastern Illinois University has worked cooperatively with Robert Morris Elementary School in Chicago in developing and implementing a laboratory experience for student teachers in the area of play and rhythmic expression. Describes the program and evaluates its benefit for…

The author suggests that the cooperating music teacher prepare the student teaching experience as a formal class, presenting the student teacher with a written syllabus and assignments. He discusses timing and procedures for the consecutive phases of the student teaching term: orientation, observation, practice lessons, and, finally, teaching…

This article offers advice for navigating the student-teaching experience and identifies vital qualities for student teachers. These recommendations--offered by two collegiate music education supervisors--are based on a combined two decades of teaching experience in the public school music room, plus additional experience in the three major roles…

Considers the role of the cooperating teacher in the student teaching experience. Examines the preliminary interview, lesson planning, assimilation, teaching as a team, evaluation, and suggesting improvements. Discusses the importance of self-evaluation and cooperation within the triad of student teacher, college supervisor, and cooperating…

Study showed that the student teaching experience doesn't affect the classroom management beliefs and skills of music education majors. These research results challenge conventional expectations regarding student teaching and can be viewed as supportive of teachers of methods' efforts to help future teachers acquire realistic beliefs and skills…