Syllabus

Description of Course: Student teaching is the capstone experience for teacher candidates. It affords an opportunity to apply the knowledge base developed through coursework, melding theory with practice. Student Teachers are placed in a school setting where they will work with a Cooperating Teacher who will help them learn teaching while teaching. There will be many opportunities to develop and refine teaching skills through observation and direct classroom experience.

Basic Requirements:
- observing Cooperating Teacher and other teachers working with students
- conferencing with Cooperating Teacher and University Supervisor
- gaining familiarity with curriculum and academic content
- planning lessons and working within classroom/building schedules
- managing classroom responsibilities and performing routine duties
- teaching and working with students, employing a variety of approaches
- writing and teaching an instructional unit with an evaluation component
- experiencing one full week of "solo" student teaching
- constructing bulletin boards and instructional displays
- reflecting and evaluating personal teaching skills and classroom performance

Important Dates:

January 19, 20 – 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM Student Teaching Seminars (SMC All Purpose Room)

January 19 - Student Teachers Meet with Supervisor; Submit Application to Graduate to Advisor

January 21 - First Day of Student Teaching Note: Send Overall Schedule A.S.A.P.

January 29 - TWS: Contextual Factors Component Due; Journal Entries for Jan. 21 - Jan. 29 Due

Note: Journal entries due each Friday with your teaching schedule for the following week.

February 5 - TWS: Learning Goals & Assessment Plan Due

February 11 - Complete Mid-Placement Evaluation

February 11 - TWS: Design for Instruction Due

February 16 - Review Mid-Placement Evaluation with Cooperating Teacher

February 18 - 4:00 Dinner Seminar [Location to Be Determined]

March 1 - Student Teachers to Contact Second Cooperating Teacher (Make Appointments Outside of Normal School Day)

March 5 - 8:45AM Mandatory Seminar on Interviewing for All Student Teachers (Lyte Auditorium)

March 5 - Afternoon – Meet with Supervisor for Second Placement

March 5 - May Certification Applications Due in Certification Office, Stayer, Room 120

Week of March 8 - TWS: Complete Unit Due (Hard Copy) Please be prepared to hand it to me when I visit your classroom this week.

March 10 or 11 - Final Evaluation & PDE 430 Evaluation Meeting

March 12 - Last Day of First Student Teaching Assignment (Full Day Assignment)

March 15 - First day of Student Teaching for Second Assignment Note: Send Overall Schedule A.S.A.P.

March 19 - Journal Entries for First Week Due

Note: Journal entries due each Friday with your teaching schedule for the following week.

March 25 - Teacher Recruitment Day, 9:00 - 3:00, Pucillo Gym

March 26 - TWS: Contextual Factors Component Due

April 1 - TWS: Learning Goals & Assessment Plan Due

April 9 - TWS: Design for Instruction Due

April 9 - Complete Mid-Placement Evaluation

April 12 or 13 - Review Mid-Placement Evaluation with Cooperating Teacher

April 15 - 4:00 Dinner Seminar [Location to Be Determined]

Week of May 3 - TWS: Complete Unit Due (Hard Copy) Please be prepared to hand it to me when I visit your classroom this week.

May 4 or 5 - Final Evaluation & PDE 430 Evaluation Meeting

May 6 - Final Day of Student Teaching (Full Day Assignment)

May 8 - Commencement

Evaluation:

Continuous evaluation is an integral part of the student teaching process. It is most powerful when it is collaborative. A Student Teacher must critically evaluate his/her own teaching skills and be open to suggestions from his/her Cooperating Teacher and University Supervisor. The Supervisor will make formal observations and maintain communication with the Cooperating Teacher and Student Teacher to get an accurate picture of classroom functioning. Student Teachers will also submit a daily journal to keep the Supervisor informed of classroom activities, challenges, and accomplishments.

The Supervisor, Cooperating Teacher and Student Teacher will complete the Mid-Placement Evaluation. Results will be reviewed and discussed in an effort to identify strengths and areas that need to be further developed. The Mid-Placement Evaluation is a tool to help the Student Teacher assess his/her skills in an effort to reach his/her full potential. This document will not be filed with your permanent records. At the conclusion of the placement the Supervisor and Cooperating Teacher will complete the final evaluation form that will become part of the Student Teacher’s credentials file. Student Teachers should read the “Categories and Descriptors Used in Final Student Teacher Evaluation” in “Course Content” for a detailed description of the areas of evaluation. Grades (S – satisfactory / U – unsatisfactory) are assigned at the end of the placement.

The PDE-430 (PA Statewide Evaluation Form for Student Professional Knowledge and Practice) will be completed at mid-semester and the end of the semester. The mid-placement PDE-430 is a formative evaluation, while the final PDE-430 is a summative evaluation.