This article describes and evaluates the pairing of 2 preservice teachers to 1 mentor for early fieldwork. Traditionally, many programs have been reluctant to assign more than 1 student to a mentor. This study describes how the pairing is implemented; it addresses practical considerations; and it evaluates the innovation. Feedback gathered from…

In fall 2002, the University of Hawai'i at Manoa (UHM) Board of Regents approved a new structure for teacher education programs in the College of Education (COE). The new Institute for Teacher Education (ITE) provides coordinated oversight for four programs: the Bachelor of Education (BEd) in Elementary Education, Bachelor of Education (BEd) in…

Evidence suggests that student teaching is one of the most influential components of a teacher education program, and the cooperating teacher exerts the greatest influence on a student teacher. Therefore, it is vital to understand how the role of experienced teachers is affected by the implementation of a professional development school (PDS) as…

The paper reports some of the findings of a qualitative case study that examined the perceptions of the role of cooperating teachers as they supported pre-service teacher colleagues. The study revealed a number of significant issues related to professional learning and teachers' "ways of knowing". One of the most significant results to…

Over the past 20 years, the Professional Development School (PDS) model has been proven to be a successful way to induct teacher candidates into the teaching profession. Induction has been recognized as a way to counteract attrition from a profession that loses as many as 50% of its teachers within five years of entry. Using the PDS model of…

The purpose of this inquiry was to describe the benefits and limitations of using two-way audio/video conferencing technology in a preservice teacher training program located in a remote area. Two-way conferencing technology was introduced on a trial basis to assist in the supervision of practicum students and student teachers in remote university…

Research in teacher education suggests the need for alternative approaches to the traditional triad (cooperating teacher, teacher intern, college supervisor) of student teaching or teacher internship programs. This study examines the Clinical Master Teacher (CMT) Program at the University of Alabama. Study participants included 79 Clinical Master…

This paper reports on the influence of a graduate course, "Methods for Masters," designed to broaden the pedagogical repertoires of cooperating teachers by providing experience in six instructional models (cooperative learning, concept attainment, group investigation, learning contracts, simulations, and synectics). The course used…

The inadequate preparation of urban teachers contributes to the high rate of teacher attrition in city schools. This paper describes an attempt to alleviate the rapid turnover of urban teachers through a project that helped secondary urban student teachers become effective. In the spring semester of 1993, a teacher educator, an Urban Practicum…

This preliminary study examines the perceptions of mentoring relationships between cooperating teachers and student teachers as they impact practicum success or failure. Student teachers (N=74) and cooperating teachers (N=13) at 2 teacher preparation sites were asked to respond either orally or in writing to 3 questions: (1) When you think of a…

The University of New Mexico's College of Education initiated a two-pronged approach to developing multiculturally competent teachers who would be comfortable working on American Indian reservations. Four groups were recruited. Mentor teachers included American Indian and Euro-American teachers working in rural Pueblo schools and Hispanic and…

This paper reports on a study of developmental thinking and qualities of reflection exhibited by two groups of music student teachers at two universities using different cooperating teacher training programs. The study examined the weekly journals of 19 music student teachers at Institution A (with trained cooperating teachers) and 26 students at…

This study at Texas A&M University identified indicators of student teacher development to guide their supervising cooperating teachers. Meetings were held with cooperating teachers to brainstorm indicators of success in student teaching. The questions raised addressed: what cooperating teachers should look for in preservice teaching; what…

The State of Oregon has recently developed teacher licensure standards which go beyond the mastery of knowledge and skills, extend into the area of pupil learning, and employ a portfolio or work sample to focus the attention of university and school district educators on whether the preservice teacher has demonstrated the ability to produce…

This paper is a review of literature examining the definitions of cooperating teacher, college supervisor, master teacher, mentor, and recommended selection criteria in light of new teacher certification requirements in New York State for a full-year internship. Given the lack of clear role definitions, unintegrated research findings, and…