Department of Education - Missouri Western State University

General Information:
What a wonderful opportunity you have to be a part of an education program that has, from its very inception, focused on applied learning. You'll have rich in-school experiences in each of the four phases of the program. However, when you step into that professional setting, you are in both a learning and a political environment that is new to you. Yes, even though you have been in school almost all of your life, this will be the first time on the other side of the podium or desk. So, although you have spread out before you on this page a lot of rules and guidelines,they have been created by an experienced education faculty whose job it is to help you learn the culture of K-12 schools and become the professional you aspire to be. Remember, from the first day you set foot inside of that school building, you are interviewing for that first teaching job. So . . . read on!

Note that teacher candidates (that's you) in any of the clinical experiences are immediately responsible to the administrator of the assigned school. While in the school, teacher candidates are subject to both the policy guide for the school that outlines the rules and regulations for the teachers in that school.

In addition, the Department of Education has certain requirements that must be met.

Failure to abide by the rules, regulations and requirements of either the cooperating school or Missouri Western will result in a conference between the teacher candidate and those responsible for the success of the candidate in the clinical experience. Continued failure could result in the dismissal from the course or the Missouri Western Teacher Education program.

Teacher candidates have the primary responsibility of identifying the requirements of each experience and the expectations of both the cooperating teacher and the university supervisor. For example, the university supervisor will expect on a weekly basis the overall teaching plans for the following week, aka "the weekly report." It is the responsibility of the student to visit with the cooperating teacher about the plans for the following week. This may require that the Phase III student adjust his/her schedule to meet the personal schedule of the cooperating teacher: 7:15 AM or 4:14 PM. The Phase III experience will require more than merely the assigned time to meet the class in the school.

Even though teacher candidates are considered a part of the school to which they are assigned, ultimately they are under the jurisdiction of Missouri Western. If a problem arises between the teacher candidate and the cooperating teacher, the candidate should first attempt to negotiate a solution directly with the cooperating teacher. If this is not successful, the candidate should contact either the university supervisor or the Director of Clinical Experiences. [The university supervisor should be informed of possible problems at the time of the above negotiation with the cooperating teacher.]

Under no circumstances should the teacher candidate discuss relationships with the school or the cooperating teacher elsewhere. The candidate will work with the supervisor to resolve the problem with the cooperating teacher. Most human relations problems can be solved fairly quickly when all parties concerned meet together in an honest but considerate atmosphere of mutual respect and trust.

Very rarely will a candidate be moved to a new school after the semester has started. If a personal/professional difference of opinion exists between the candidate and the host school personnel, the candidate, in most cases, will have the opportunity to re-enroll in the experience the next regular semester. However, if a candidate is removed from a field experience at the request of the school principal, re-enrollment will require a formal request to the MWSU Teacher Education Admissions and Retention Committee (TEARC). The appeal to TEARC must include documentation or proof of how the next teaching experience is likely to produce better outcomes for students. TEARC only meets during regular semesters, not during the summer.

At the time when the school assignment is made the Director of Clinical Experiences will provide information regarding how to make the first contact with the building principal or building teacher education coordinator.

It is not the intent of the MWSU Teacher Education program to provide area schools with substitute teachers nor as a "teacher" during a labor dispute.

It is the responsibility of the Director Clinical Experiences to place candidates in area schools. At no time will a candidate on his/her own contact a school administrator for placement. A candidate seeking to place himself/herself could delay admission to the experience for one semester. The Director of Clinical Experiences has a very explicit list of guidelines that are used to request clinical experience placements.

Establish a "building routine" by meeting the school administrator or coordinator to receive assignments, report in and out of the school, obtain a building pass and receive other directions.

Report promptly and consistently to the school. In the event of illness or serious emergency, inform the cooperating teacher and the MWSU university supervisor of the inability to report to the school. Some teachers would prefer to the night before if you will be unable to report the next day. Cover all bases by making both a telephone call and send an email to the teacher and the MWSU supervisor. With the knowledge of the university supervisor, arrange a time for a "make-up" session. There are NO allowed absences. {Refer to the following section on Attendance.}

Always try to understand the assignment from the perspective of the cooperating teacher. Ask for immediate clarification if the assignment is not understood.

File an exact work schedule with the university supervisor. By the 2nd day of the school assignment the university supervisor should know the following about the Phase III school assignment: name of teacher, time of the assignment, room number. Student teachers will provide the above information with the "School Information Sheet" that is completed during the semester prior to the formal experience.

By Friday of each week the candidate will complete and provide the university supervisor with the "weekly report." This report will describe in minutes what the candidate has done the previous week and will describe activities for the coming week. The weekly report number of minutes for the Phase III, Phase IV and Practicum Students will be transferred to the cumulative time sheet that will be the formal record of the student's experiences. The cumulative time sheet will be given to the university supervisor at the last conference of the semester.

Visit with the cooperating teacher about what the teaching responsibilities will be during the semester. The university supervisor, after visiting with the cooperating teacher, will make the final decision regarding when you will start teaching and when you will finish the actual classroom instruction.

Assume responsibility for meeting with the university supervisor to review the midterm and final evaluation for the experience.

Attendance:
All personnel associated with the Missouri Western teacher education program view each of the clinical experiences as a professional experience. The responsibility of a participant is exactly the same as that of a professional educator. The role of the Missouri Western candidate has been elevated to that of a professional educator. It is essential that the MWSU participant view himself/herself now as a teacher--- not a student. Accordingly, the only reasons the pre-service teacher might not be able to meet his/her obligations in the school are:

Death of a member of the immediate family or an emergency within the family. Both the cooperating teacher and the university supervisor will be contacted immediately.

Severe and disabling physical condition. [This does not mean a normal headache or cold.]

An immediate mechanical breakdown of transportation. [This means on the way to school. If your normal transportation breaks down two hours before the required reporting time, make other arrangements: friend, bus, taxi, walk.]

For student teachers, an interview for a position. Any absence for a position interview must be cleared in advance through the cooperating teacher and the university supervisor.

The time responsibilities for the student teacher are exactly the same as for the cooperating teacher. Consult the school policy guide to determine the exact workday hours in the school. Logic suggests that if the cooperating teacher arrives at 7:15 AM this is the time that the student teacher should arrive.

The student teacher will attend all building meetings, district curriculum meetings, parent/teacher conferences, etc.

The cooperating teacher cannot give permission to the student to miss any time in the school. Only the university supervisor and/or the Director of Clinical Experiences can give the student permission to miss time during an in-school experience.

The student teacher's #1 responsibility is to the in-school experience. Other campus events and/or personal engagements should not interfere with the student's responsibility to the clinical experience and responsibilities. The student teaching semester is not the semester to be engaged in major campus events.

Personal behavior during a clinical experience must reflect the ethics of a professional person. You will find that you have access to information such as test scores, IQ scores, financial background, family status, classroom discipline incidents, personal habits and additional information which MUST NOT leave the school. This information must be handled with the greatest discretion and in utmost confidence. A violation of the of the above will be dealt with seriously and can result with the removal from the MWSU teacher education program.Refer to the Professional Behaviors assessment for details.

You must identify yourself with the professional members of the school. You are not part of the student body. Don't allow yourself to engage in social activities with students.Work instead upon developing the Leadership Dispositions that will make you successful as a professional.

On the first day in the school request information concerning the manner of dress and general conduct for your particular school. Usually this is found in the "Faculty Handbook." Discretion and good taste are expected. Any question concerning dress, conduct or school procedures should be directed to the cooperating teacher. Use common sense: observe and fit into the school culture during this time of professional training and development.

While you are in the process of becoming a professional educator, you are at the same time in a subordinate role. It is expected that you will not use your guest status in the classroom for the purpose of collecting information that will be used in a non-professional manner. Teaching style and teaching philosophy of two teachers can be very different. You may observe what you view to be "bad teaching." Your task is to observe and possibly reflect--- but not to carry stories out of the classroom. If you observe situations that do not appear to be "right"--- talk to the university supervisor. Eventually with additional teaching experience, maturity and wisdom you may better understand the cooperating teacher's motives and pedagogy. At this moment of your professional development, suspend judgment and have an open mind.

This is a lot of information but that's a part of the profession you have chosen. Study it well and enjoy your time in the schools.

Please direct additional questions about the role of the teacher candidate during the clinical experience to either the univeristy supervisor or the Director of Placement .