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 subjectPassion 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

FlexibilitySalaries are Increasing Medical InsuranceRetirement

Challenges of Teaching…

Long working hoursHigh Stakes TestingContinuing your

own education2002 NCLB ActTech-savy studentsTime commitment

Society’s Expectations of Teachers… o Trustworthyo Competent & Effectiveo Help ALL learners succeedo Know and utilize ‘best practices’o Be Accountableo Safe learning environmento 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 &

Responsibilitiesas 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 & in-

service if possible• To develop, implement & evaluate lessons to

enhance student learning

The first day…

Be prompt…early is better !Carry original background checksWear your KU ID Become actively involved Open a line of communication with your co-op

Dress Code…

Professionally dressed at all times

No short skirts or dressesNothing revealingPiercings – NONE on nose, face,

tongueTattoos – covered if askedFollow district guidelines

Attendance…

Expected every day; punctualCheck expected faculty arrival/dismissal timeAbsent: 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 !

Schedule …

Weekly schedule given to supervisor at every practicum

Follow KU lesson planSupervisor observations based on

scheduleKeep supervisor appraised of any changesWednesday – Tuesday cycleLESSON 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 ScheduleElementary &

Special Education Majors

Attend practicum every Tuesday

Meet from 4:00-5:00

November 1st Professional Development Day

Secondary, Art, Music & Library

Majors

Attend practicum every Tuesday

Meet from 3:00-5:00 PM

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

Cooperating teachers.. “…are the most important people in the student teachers’ professional lives. They determine the attitudes student teachers carry into retirement.”

Provide the following:

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 successDaily feedbackWeekly planning &

discussionInformal

conversationNo 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:StrengthsWeaknessesAreas 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

teacher candidates

departments

academics

www.kutztown.edu

User Name & Password

cooptchrG0Bears

0

Getting started…Get Teacher Candidate involved from day 1

Week One Observe more than teach – Start slowly

Weeks Two-five2ND – 6TH week – pick up more responsibility each day7TH – 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!