Office of Teacher Certification

Week by Week Student Teaching Timeline Template *

---

Pre-Student Teaching

• Schedule an Observation/Orientation Time
• Complete “School-Related Expectations for the Student Teacher”
• Complete “Orienting Yourself to the School”

Weeks 1–2

• Gather information on school (i.e., handbooks, maps, schedules, discipline policy, special education services and procedures). Get to know your way around.
• Familiarize yourself with available district and community resources, including special resources.
• Meet with clinical faculty to discuss the required lesson plan formats.
• Arrange a time with the clinical faculty to meet the cooperating teacher, principal, and special educators and support personnel on site.

Weeks 3–4

• Discuss assessment practices with your cooperating teacher. Assist the cooperating teacher with current assessment efforts.
• Meet with the cooperating teacher and plan for gradual assumption of teaching responsibilities.
• Review “Reflection Questions for Self Evaluation of Teaching.”
• Be sure you, the cooperating teacher and your clinical faculty have made a plan to ensure you have opportunities to demonstrate the competencies described on your evaluation form.

Weeks 5–6

• Be sure to participate in at least one staff development/professional learning activity.
• Attend scheduled student teacher seminars at Plymouth State University. This is a requirement.

Weeks 7–9

• Review mid-term evaluation with your cooperating teacher and clinical faculty.
• Confer regularly with your cooperating teacher regarding your performance, lesson planning and other appropriate topics.
• Meet with assistant principal/principal to discuss observing your student teaching. (Request letter of recommendation, see week 10-14.)
• Continue to assume additional responsibilities as appropriate.
• Remember, work in accordance with your cooperating teacher’s contract hours. You should be available to serve duty with your cooperating teacher, attend faculty/staff meetings and in-service events, and participate in other appropriate professional activities.

Weeks 10–13

• Enjoy your independent (solo) teaching opportunity!
• Request letters of recommendation (from the cooperating teacher, principal and superintendent, if possible).
• Arrange for gradual transition of class(es) back to cooperating teacher.
• Attend scheduled student teacher seminars at Plymouth State University. This is a requirement.

Week 14

• Review final evaluation with your cooperating teacher and clinical faculty.

---

* This is a general guideline. Art, music, health and physical education majors have two eight week placements. The timeline would reflect these condensed placements.