Purpose: A burgeoning literature investigates the importance of student teaching placements for teacher candidate development, but an important perspective that is largely missing from the existing literature is that of the school districts that host student teachers. In this paper, we describe the student teaching process from the perspective of…

Sometimes an enthusiast might confuse enthusiasm for competence. Related experiences and a sense of commitment can suggest that mentors are positioned to do something well, even when they have had no genuine preparation for the task. In this article, the author warns them that their experience as teachers by itself may be insufficient preparation…

Cooperating teachers can help student teachers make the most of their student teaching experience. The author has served as an on-site supervisor for many practicum students and interns. She has also worked on the university side, supervising pre-student teachers and school psychology practicum students. Having served in all three of these…

The student teacher being supervised in the public school soon becomes a full time, licensed teacher. Student teaching is perceived to be the cap stone or final course in undergraduate preparation before entering the profession of being a teacher. It carries much responsibility for the cooperating teacher and the university supervisor in assisting…

Preservice early childhood educators responded in daily reflection journals on their field experience in local elementary classrooms. These journal entries were categorized according to the frequency of the responses. The focus of the study became the nature of the initial impressions that these preservice educators had of their cooperating…

The need to collaborate in the fields of business, health care, and technology is not a new concept. Educational institutions, however, have been slow to recognize the need to teach collaboration skills (Brownell & Walther-Thomas, 2002; Jackson, 2004). This article focuses on the development of the Collaboration Self-Assessment Tool (CSAT). The…

This paper provides a conceptual framework for developing high-quality professional experiences for pre-service teachers. The paper begins with a discussion of how professional experiences are conceptualised, structured and supervised in each of three orientations, which we have termed traditional, reflective and learning communities. We then…

The purpose of this article is to help better prepare pre-service/student teachers for the little things they should do during their student teaching experience, while at the same time give those who work with pre-service and student teachers (PETE faculty) a reminder of little things they can emphasize to help prepare students for the student…

A university professor observes the use of a Native American stereotype by a cooperating teacher in an elementary art classroom while supervising a preservice teacher. She identifies ways that the teacher's words potentially harmed her students and reflects on her own role. This "teachable moment" is described, and characteristics of…

Describes a teacher's experiences in working with student teachers. Notes that the experiences have been continually rewarding but not always easy. States that the teacher feels renewed, revitalized, and reassured after working with student teachers. (RS)

Field experience (junior practicum and student teaching) is considered by many to be the most influential part of a teacher preparation program (Cruickshank & Aramalin, 1986; Tannehill & Zakrajsek, 1988). During field experiences, preservice teachers (hereafter referred to as PSTs) are guided by a cooperating teacher (hereafter referred to as a…

Examines the tremendous impact that professionals have on neophytes in student teaching and suggests three major thrusts that need to be addressed during the student-teaching phase: (1) providing a model of what it means to be a professional educator; (2) passing along some of the tools of the trade; and (3) developing intellectual processes…

This brochure provides information about the Wisconsin Improvement Program's Teacher Intern Program, how it works, and how it can benefit all participants. Areas covered in the brochure include: (1) admission criteria; (2) the roles of program participants; (3) program organization; (4) participants' responsibilities; and (5) program costs. An…

The Student Teacher Awareness Program at Southside High School (Muncie, IN) introduces student teachers to a variety of topics and concerns from the perspective of the classroom teacher in the field. (CB)

This case study examines how three dual-language student teachers gain entry in their student-teaching experience. They confront the challenges of meeting the expectations of their cooperating teachers and field supervisors, become familiar with their students' academic strengths and weaknesses, and deliver effective classroom instruction. Each of…