Responsibilities of the district Cooperating Teacher

The Cooperating Teacher is an integral part of the student teaching experience. The experience and theoretical knowledge the Cooperating Teacher shares with the Special Education Student Teacher is one of many keys to the success of the experience. The working relationship between the Cooperating Teacher and the Student Teacher will also have a great impact on the success of the new educator. The Cooperating Teacher is a designated mentor available to monitor the student teachers overall schedule as those duties pertain to the all encompassing responsibilities a Special Education Teacher would experience on a daily basis. The Cooperating teacher will evaluate, provide feedback and share those unique situations that create the Special Education environment and teacher experience; along with discussions which relate to the 3 of 5 Cross Categorical areas:  (MR- mental retardation, ED- emotional disability, LD- learning disability, orthopedic impairment, and OHI- other health impairment.)  Considering this responsibility, the Cooperating Teacher must have at least two years of teaching experience and will ideally have earned a Master’s degree, but are required to have a Bachelors degree and a current Special Education teaching certificate. Cooperating Teachers should be considered master teachers in their schools/districts. The Cooperating Teacher should be comfortable with using evaluation instruments, standard observation, feedback, and coaching strategies to assist Student Teachers in the development of the management and instructional skills necessary to develop the Student Teacher into an effective and competent educator. The University provides a stipend for professional services to the Cooperating Teacher.

Cooperating Teachers are an integral part of the student teaching experience. The responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Meeting with the Student Teacher prior to the start of the Student Teaching experience. At this time, expectations, policies, material, and curriculum requirements for the first days/weeks of the experience should be communicated.
  • Assist in orienting the Student Teacher to the school, classroom, and the students; along with school district policies, rules, and regulations.
  • Work with the Student Teacher to develop a schedule of responsibilities.
  • Set and communicate the standards for the daily lesson plans the student is expected to develop.
  • Speak to the various learning styles per individual student.
  • Supervise the Student Teacher on a daily basis.
  • Review the Student Teacher’s lesson plans to allow for constructive feedback and revisions where necessary.
  • Phase the Student Teacher into the observation/teaching cycle. The Student Teacher should begin the experience acting as observer and should progressively be given more responsibility in the classroom.
  • Assist with the development of the Teacher Work Sample.
  • Allow time for the four-week unit of the Teacher Work Sample to be implemented in the classroom.
  • Establish a time to talk with the Student Teacher about his/her activities, impressions, reflections, suggestions for goals, and areas of improvement.
  • Communicate the Student Teacher’s progress to the Site Supervisor via face-to-face discussion or telephone contact.
  • Complete a mid-term evaluation using the forms provided, review with the Student Teacher, and submit them to the Field Placement Administrator.
  • Collaborate with the Site Supervisor to assist the Student Teacher in developing identified skill and knowledge deficiencies throughout the student teaching experience.
  • Immediately inform the Site Supervisor and/or the Field Placement Administrator of any concerns regarding the Student Teacher.
  • Work with the Site Supervisor to assist the Student Teacher in developing identified skill and knowledge deficiencies throughout the student teaching experience.
  • Complete the Final Evaluation of the Student Teacher’s progress using the forms provided, review them with the Student Teacher, and submit them to the Site Supervisor.