Clinical Experiences Handbook
Supervisory dispositions expected of cooperating teachers and University supervisors
The student teaching experience can be an exciting time of personal and professional growth. It can also be a time when student teachers may face a number of conflicts and tensions. Cooperating teachers and University supervisors are both in a position to offer the professional support and encouragement needed by students to deal successfully with the natural ups and downs of becoming a teacher.
- Show care, concern, and commitment to student teachers.
- Share the thinking underlying your instructional and supervisory decisions.
- Help student teachers reflect on the reasons and purposes for their instructional decisions.
- Encourage student teachers to reflect on their performance, identifying both strengths and areas of needed improvement.
- Use positive phrasing that helps student teachers understand what they need to work towards rather than what they have done wrong.
- Build on the strengths of student teachers.
- Share openly with student teachers regarding positive reactions you have to their performance or your level of concern.
- Build and maintain professional, confidential relationships with student teachers.
- Work with student teachers step-by-step toward independent performance.
- Help student teachers feel they are a part of the school staff.
Revised August 2005
Know someone who would be a good cooperating teacher? Turn 'em in to stuteach@umn.edu!