Office of
Field Experiences
Tom Ganser, Director
2038 Winther Hall
Whitewater, WI 53190
fieldexperiences@uww.edu
(262) 472-1123
Fax: (262) 472-1500

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE LOCAL SCHOOL OR AGENCY ADMINISTRATOR

Pre-teaching Period

Coordinates the Assignment of Students and Cooperating Teachers

1.               Conducts a formal or informal survey of teachers in the system who are

                  qualified and willing to become cooperating teachers.

2.               Compiles a tentative list of certified cooperating teachers for the Director of

                  Field Experiences using established criteria . (See "Criteria for Selection of

                  Cooperating Teachers" in this handbook.)

3.               Arranges conferences between student teachers and cooperating teachers

                  when necessary.

4.               Confirms assignments with the Director of Field Experiences.

Student Teaching Period

Explains the Student Teaching Program to Staff, School Board, Community

1.            Releases information to the news media in the local community about the

               program and the participants, both student teachers and cooperating teachers.

2.           Explains the values of participation:

              a.             Professional growth of the cooperating teacher.

              b.            Opportunity to observe and hire prospective teachers.

              c.            Participation in the pre-service training of teachers.

              d.            Opportunity to communicate the needs of schools to the university.

Participates in the Teacher Education Program

1.            Orients the student teacher to the school.

               a.             Introduces student teacher to the philosophy and curriculum of the

                               school.

               b.            Encourages the student teacher's participation in orientation and

                              inservice programs.

               c.            Makes school records available.

               d.            Arranges for the first meeting with the cooperating teacher.

2.           Observes and evaluates student teacher's progress.

             a.              Observes the student teacher at work at the request of the

                              cooperating teacher or the student teacher, or as determined to be

                              warranted.

             b.              Offers oral or written suggestions to the student teacher, cooperating

                              teacher, or university supervisor.

             c.              Consults with cooperating teacher or university supervisor during the

                              semester.

3.          Ensures and provides a climate which stimulates professional growth.

             a.             Encourages a variety of experiences, both extracurricular and

                             curricular, but guides the student teacher's energies toward classroom

                             teaching responsibilities.

             b.            Guards against the student teacher's assuming clerical duties at the

                             expense of experiences in teaching.

             c.             Provides a qualified substitute teacher when the cooperating teacher is

                             absent .  See Substitute Teaching policy on page 21 in this

                             handbook.

            d.             Encourages the student teacher's controlled experimentation with new

                            methods and materials and the participation in various school

                            organizational patterns.

4.         Provides time for the cooperating teacher and the student teacher to confer.

5.         Makes suggestions to university personnel for the improvement of the program.

6.         Provides broad observation opportunities, making it possible for student teacher

             to observe a variety of teaching styles.