Student Teaching
Extensive field experiences are central to each program in the College of Education and Human Development. Throughout their licensure programs, student teachers work with cooperating teachers and University supervisors to develop pedagogical skills as well as the dispositions toward inquiry, research, and reflection that lead to life-long professional development. Clinical opportunities also provide the opportunity for student teachers to link research, theory, and practice in a “real-world” setting. In addition, they experience the intense social interaction with pupils and colleagues that is the essence of effective teaching.
The college’s central theme for the clinical teaching experience is the fostering of teacher reflection and inquiry. By reflecting on their own teaching and posing questions about their experience, student teachers recognize specific aspects of their teaching requiring further development. And, as they revise their instruction and achieve success, student teachers begin to generate their own theories of successful instruction.
Cooperating teachers play an important role in fostering reflection. By providing ongoing feedback about a student teacher’s instruction and relationships with pupils, cooperating teachers encourage student teachers to reflect upon, evaluate, and improve their teaching. By fostering inquiry about the larger purposes for teaching and the nature of schooling, the cooperating teacher helps student teachers define their roles as professionals.
Clinical Experiences Information
Clinical experiences (practicum and student teaching) are a key component in teacher preparation at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. Our initial licensure programs all require year-long, developmental, clinical experiences as candidates grow in their knowledge and skills
More information about state standards, performance assessments, student teaching policies, and student teaching responsibilities can be found at the website for cooperating teachers, in the clinical experiences handbook.