Welcome Teacher
Candidates…
Fall 2012
“It is how you begin that
is most important.”
…Plato
KU Trivia …
Founded in ?
Founded as ?
 1928 …
 1960 …
 1983 …
Why Do YOU Want to
Teach?
Passion of subject
Passion for the “Teaching Way of
Life” ~ desire to serve others
Influence on Teacher-Learning
Process
Positive influence a teacher may
have had on YOU
Practical Benefits of
Teaching…
Hours & ‘mini’ vacations
year round
Flexibility
Salaries are Increasing
Medical Insurance
Retirement
Challenges of Teaching…
Long working hours
High Stakes Testing
Continuing your
own education
2002 NCLB Act
Tech-savy students
Time commitment
Society’s Expectations of
Teachers…
o Trustworthy
o Competent & Effective
o Help ALL learners succeed
o Know and utilize ‘best practices’
o Be Accountable
o Safe learning environment
o Equalize educational opportunity
Job Outlook…
District cuts due to
economic recession
Tenure - 3 years of
satisfactory work
Demand: teachers of
color, w/disabilities, by
region & specialty
Relocate to find
positions
Your Role
&
Responsibilities
as a
Teacher Candidate
As As Teacher Candidates You Are…
•
•
•
•
“Invited guests” in the school
Expected to follow all ‘school rules & policies’
To follow same time schedule as faculty
To observe professional dress & demeanor at
all times
• To attend faculty meetings, conferences & inservice if possible
• To develop, implement & evaluate lessons to
enhance student learning
Be prompt…early is better !
Carry original background
checks
Wear your KU ID
 Become actively involved
 Open a line of communication
with your co-op
Professionally dressed at all times
No short skirts or dresses
Nothing revealing
Piercings – NONE on nose, face,
tongue
Tattoos – covered if asked
Follow district guidelines
Expected every day; punctual
Check expected faculty arrival/dismissal
time
Absent: Notify co-op, supervisor, clinical
experience office, building secretary
 Teaching materials brought to school
 Doctor’s note – 3 days or more
 Extended absences may be made up
 No PERSONAL DAYS
You may NOT serve as a substitute !
 Weekly schedule given to supervisor at
every practicum
 Follow KU lesson plan
 Supervisor observations based on
schedule
 Keep supervisor appraised of any changes
 Wednesday – Tuesday cycle
 LESSON PLAN for EVERY LESSON TAUGHT
 No plan = no teaching of lesson!
Knowledge & Skill Needed by
Today’s Teacher …
1.Self-Knowledge
2.Knowledge of students
3.Subject knowledge
4.Knowledge of how to use
educational theory & research
5.Technology integration
Practicum
Designed to
Compliment
Clinical Experience
Why Practicum ?
1. To provide support through
collaboration with other Teacher
Candidates
2. To share innovative ideas from the field
3. To help transfer theory into practice
4. To develop professionally
5. To be prepared to seek a professional
position
Practicum Schedule
Elementary & Special
Education Majors
Attend practicum
every Tuesday
Secondary, Art, Music &
Library Majors
Attend practicum
every Tuesday
Meet from 4:00-5:00
Meet from 3:00November 1st
5:00 PM
Professional
Development Day
Special Practicum
Teacher candidates
should leave school in
sufficient time to arrive
safely on campus.
El Ed & Sp Ed will
attend one full day of
Professional
Development on
campus.
Role of Your Cooperating
Teachers
 Provide the following:
Cooperating teachers..
“…are the most important
people in the student
teachers’ professional
lives. They determine the
attitudes student teachers
carry into retirement.”
 Sound advice
 A positive perspective
 Professional modeling
 Encouragement
 Perspective
 Letter of
Recommendation
Building trust…
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Growth - incremental, gradual & personal
View your role as supportive
Listen actively, reflectively and empathetically
Focus on descriptive comments
State desirable behaviors in positive terms
Provide frequent feedback
Provide opportunity to practice new skills in a low-risk
atmosphere
Co-op’s Role in Supervision
Communication
Key to success
Daily feedback
Weekly planning &
discussion
Informal conversation
No surprises !
Expectations
Teacher Candidates
need to know
expectations
Avoid mixed
messages regarding
your expectations
Keep supervisor
informed
Schedules
• Weekly schedules
handed in at practicum
• Supervisors schedule
visitations based on
schedule
• Schedule runs on
Wednesday through
Tuesday cycle
Planning
• Plan expected for every
lesson taught
• Co-op initials every
plan
• Co-op to make
suggestions / revisions
• No plan = no teaching
of lesson
Observation Process
Observation
• Three (3) observations
required
• Reflection:
Strengths
Weaknesses
Areas of improvement
• Review with you and
• supervisor
Final Observation
• Complete & submit
electronically
• Submit letter of
reference on district
letterhead
• Review with Teacher
Candidate
To access KU website…
www.kutztown.edu
academics
www.kutztown.edu
departments
teacher candidates
User Name & Password
cooptchr
G0Bears0
Getting started…
Get Teacher Candidate involved from day 1
Week One
Observe more than teach – Start slowly
Weeks Two-five
2ND – 6TH week – pick up more responsibility each
day
7TH – 8TH week – responsible for 100% of class
activity
Role of KU Supervisor
•Liaison between cooperating teacher &
university
•Maintain open line of communication
•Share goals and expectations of the
College of Education with cooperating
school and teacher
•Share any concerns which may arise
Thank you!