The document outlines expectations and roles for student teachers, cooperating teachers, and supervisors during the student teaching experience. It describes that teamwork is expected between all parties. Student teachers must follow school calendars, submit lesson plans if absent, and absences are only allowed in extreme circumstances. Cooperating teachers are expected to mentor, model, support, and provide feedback to the student teacher. A gradual release of responsibility model is outlined where student teachers take on more teaching responsibilities over time. The supervisor visits every 5-10 days to support the student teacher experience.

1. +
Expectations
What is expected of me, and what are things that
I should expect of my student teacher and their
supervisor?

Teamwork

Attendance

Lesson Plans

Cooperating Teacher’s Role

Supervisor’s Role

2. + Teamwork
Student
Teacher
College
Supervisor
Cooperating
Teacher
“Learning and teaching should not stand on opposite banks and just
watch the river flow by; instead, they should embark together on a
journey down the water…”
Malaguzzi, Loris, quoted in The Hundred Languages of Children

3. + Attendance

Attendance:

Your student teacher must follow the school calendar, including makeup days scheduled due to weather.

Absences are only acceptable in extreme circumstances (death in
immediate family, illness)

Approval for pre-planned absences must be obtained from both the
cooperating teacher and the college supervisor.

Lesson plans must be submitted during an absence

Multiple absences, frequently arriving late or leaving early are not
permitted. Please talk with the student teacher and report these
issues to the college supervisor immediately.

4. + Student Teacher
Student teaching is the student teacher’s first
priority and a full time job.
He/She is expected to:
• Work the same hours as their cooperating teacher
• Attend professional meetings, including faculty
meetings, parent conferences, and in-service
workshops
• Take part in extra curricular activities
“One must be a student before one can be a teacher.” –Chinese Proverb

5. +
Lesson Plans

Student teachers are expected to write daily lesson plans

The format should be what works best for you and your
student teacher

Lesson plans need to include the following

Standards

Objectives

Materials

Procedure

Assessment

Post-Teaching Reflection

6. +
Cooperating Teacher

Mentor, Model, Support

Observe – Realize that student teachers will make mistakes. Look
for the positive and be specific.

Share, assist with and review lesson plans

Communicate – Provide feedback and suggestions

Gradual Release of Responsibility – Be willing to leave the
classroom

Meet and review progress using the assessment form as a guide

Complete final assessment form

7. +
Cooperating Teacher

Consider Team Teaching at first

Behavior management is often a concern for student
teachers. Share ideas for behavior management, but let your
student teacher decide how they will handle discipline

With your guidance allow your student teacher to try new
ideas, then ask them to reflect on how this worked.

Observe thoughtfully

COMMUNICATE

8. +
Gradual Release of Responsibility
Week 1
• Observe cooperating teacher
• Become familiar with daily routines, discipline plans,
expectations
• Learn student names and seating chart
• Become familiar with texts, and other curriculum
materials
• Review and become familiar with district, school and
classroom policies
• Become familiar with the office area, librarian, special
teachers, custodial
staff, lunchroom staff and playground areas
• Look for opportunities to interact with students: Greet
students, facilitate
practice sessions, tutor small groups or individuals, assist
with lessons

9. +
Gradual Release of Responsibility
Week 2-3 • Plan lessons for one new subject each week
• Begin team teaching, and serve as team teacher for all
lessons by the end of 3
weeks.
• Assume clerical responsibilities for the classroom
• Plan unit outline
Week 4
• Plan lessons for at least 3 subjects
• Finalize plans for new unit
• Begin fulltime teaching

10. +
Gradual Release of Responsibility
Week 5-6 • Full time planning
• Full time teaching
• Prepare, develop and administer assessment instruments
Week 7
• Begin phasing out of teaching
• Complete necessary student assessments
• Observe other building teachers
• Complete all portfolio artifact preparations from
experience
Weeks 1- • Attend all faculty meetings & professional development
7
workshops
• Be a part of meetings with parents and other staff
members

11. + 4-Week Gradual Release of Responsibility
For student who may be doing a shorter 4-week experience the
following timeline is a suggestion
Week 1
This will be the same as the full 14-week placement
Week 2
• Plan lessons for one new group/ subject each day
• Teach or serve as team teacher for all lessons by the end
of this week.
• Assume clerical responsibilities for the classroom
Weeks 3
• Full time planning
• Full time teaching
• Prepare, develop and administer assessment instruments
Week 4
• Begin phasing out of teaching
• Complete necessary student assessments
• Observe other building teachers
• Complete all portfolio artifact preparations from
experience

12. + College Supervisor

Expect the supervisor to visit every 5 to 10 days

Can help you plan for the gradual release of responsibility to the
student teacher

Your primary contact with the Luther College education program

Meet with cooperating teacher and student to review midterm
progress and before completing final evaluation
Any concerns should first be addressed with the Luther College
supervisor.

13. + Comments From A Student Teacher
I have just finished my first placement and also had a positive
experience. My Cooperating Teacher included me in all activities,
asked my opinion, and made me feel as though I was part of the
group no matter where I was in the school (in the classroom,
teacher's lunch room, etc). Onthe first day he told the students that
“now there are 2 teachers in the classroom”, so that when I am
speaking, they would behave well and have to listen to me. He
really made me feel comfortable and important.
He also gave me very positive and useful feedback when I taught in
front of the class. He would ask me beforehand what I wanted him
to watch for. I learned so very much from him. He gave so much of
himself. I always felt comfortable asking him questions and he
always had time for me.
-Eileen

14. + Resources
Luther College Education Website:

http://www.luther.edu/education/coopteach/
Here you will find downloads for the Luther Student Teaching
Handbook and links to download and complete the final
evaluations.

15. +
Stipend
The following information is necessary for Luther College to
process stipends.
Legal Name
Address
Social Security Number
If we do not already have this information on file please fax or mail
this information to:
Renee Gunderson
Luther College Education Dept.
700 College Drive
Decorah, IA 52101
Fax # 563-387-1107
A blank W9 form is available for download on the Luther Education
website (http://www.luther.edu/education/coopteach/)

16. +
THANK YOU!