- During my interview for student teaching placements, I requested several school districts, will I be guaranteed to get those schools?
I wish I could guarantee that you will get the school districts you requested, however, I can't. Each school district has different needs and situations, therefore I can't guarantee anyone any placement. I do try to get what you asked for. In most cases you do get the school districts you requested.
- Do I follow UNI's schedule during student teaching?
No, you follow the school district's schedule in which you are placed. That means your vacation or breaks will most likely be different than UNI's. You will also begin student teaching before UNI begins classes. That is true for both the Fall and Spring student teachers.
- I am worried about driving during bad weather.
This is a concern for everyone. Most schools will cancel, delay or let out early if there is bad weather. Sometimes your school will be in session when you think the weather is bad. You are expected at school the days they are in session. However, if you think you are unable to make it to school, you are to call your cooperating teacher as soon as possible and to call your UNI supervisor. You will have to complete an absence form that you will find in your student teaching handbook. You should also have sub plans ready for your CT if you were suppose to teach that day.
- I hear during student teaching that the TWS is required for graduation? Is this true?
You need to complete a full TWS (Teacher Work Sample) during your student teaching. We will spend some time looking at the requirements of the TWS. You should be prepared to write a unit of instruction, and be able to assess that unit.
- How can I prepare for student teaching during my time at UNI?
Good question. You can first do well in all your classes you are currently taking. If you don't, you may have to be pulled from student teaching. This is not a good thing.
Secondly, you should learn about lesson planning and unit planning – including assessments, if you don't already know how to do that. You will be writing lesson plans and writing units.
Thirdly, you could learn different strategies for classroom management. You might want to create a file box of ideas that could be used in the classroom.
Fourth, you could learn about the full TWS by checking out the website. See the "TWS Pilot Prompt" at the top of this page. You might want to review how to make charts and graphs on the computer.
Fifth, you could organize your materials for easy access during your student teaching.
Sixth, learn as many methods for teaching and assessing your subject(s) or area(s) as you can.
Finally, begin to make a paradigm shift from being a student to being a teacher.
- Will I be part of any after or before school activities?
That depends on what your cooperating teacher does. You are to do whatever your cooperating teacher does, except coaching. If your cooperating teacher has a grade-level or a content meeting after or before school, you are expected to attend. If your school has weekly inservices before school, you are expected to attend. You are to attend all the meetings your cooperating teacher attends, unless the parents or principal tell you otherwise (such as an IEP meeting).
You are always able to volunteer for before and after school activities, so long as it doesn't interfere with your teaching. Most school could use the assistance and this type of volunteering does get noticed by the administrators.
