 Hopefully you have met
your cooperating teacher and discussed the day and time you will arrive. In the rare incident that your placement has
been changed and you have not met your cooperating teacher, plan to do that the following day. Your hours in that school
are the district specified "Teacher Day." Sometimes you may need to start earlier or leave later than the
teacher to be well prepared. Local schools have schedules unique to their district. There is not a standard county
school schedule; therefore, your schedule may differ from your fellow student teachers.
On your
first day, conduct a "get-acquainted" activity and begin to learn students' names immediately. Your schedule
of assuming responsibility should be discussed with your cooperating teacher and supervisor. During the first few days,
spend time familiarizing yourself with the cooperating teacher's classroom systems and procedures and gather important
information about the class and school to share with your supervisor. Below is a list of items you should gather.
· School calendar marked with holidays and in-service
days
· Class schedule, including times and locations
· Classroom procedures and behavior program(s)
· Process for attendance and lunch information
· Information on health issues and specific student needs
· Fire drills and disaster procedures
· School-wide procedure manuals
· Dress Code information
· Other items requested by the supervisor
Special Education Supplement to A Guide For Student Teaching, Millersville University (2005), PA
Other Suggestions for the First Few
Days of Student Teaching
- Tour
the school building and meet staff members
- Review IEPs and student files
- Become familiar with instructional programs
and available resources
- Ask about extra duties (hall duty, bus duty, playground and lunch duty, etc.)
- Learn
how to use building equipment
- Become familiar with the available technology
- Gain familiarity with class/building
policy for taking pictures of the students
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