Office of Teacher Certification

Placement:

A candidate cannot do their student teaching:

• In a school or district where  relatives attend or are employed.
• In a school that the candidate attended or was employed.
• In a school that the candidate has a relationship with anyone other than on a professional basis.

Attendance:

Hours—The student teacher is on site during teacher contract hours, either teaching or observing, for a full day, every day, except for two all-day seminars held at Plymouth State University. Some departments conduct additional seminars for their student teachers. In such cases, the cooperating teacher and clinical faculty will be informed by the student teacher. Seminar dates are available online at www.plymouth.edu/teachercertification or at the OTC. The beginning and final dates of the student teaching are set by Plymouth State University.

 Absence—In the event of illness, the student teacher will notify the school partner/cooperating teacher and the clinical faculty prior to the date of absence(s), at the latest, early on the day of the absence. Because it will be necessary for the cooperating teacher to assume the student teacher’s instructional responsibilities, all lesson plans for that day(s) must be complete and at the site. In the event that an absence exceeds three days, the Coordinator of Teacher Certification and Clinical Experiences will determine (with input from the clinical faculty and cooperating teacher) the necessary course of action.  Excessive absences and tardiness may be cause for removal of a student teacher from the student teaching assignment.  Clinical Faculty may ask for written medical verification, and in some circumstances days may be added at the end of the semester to make up days. Absences should be limited to emergencies.

Promptness – It is extremely important that you arrive at school on time each day.

The Student Teacher should know and observe the rules and regulations of the assigned schools.  Request the school manual or teacher handbook from the cooperating teacher or the school office.  Learn about the school requirements from the manual or your cooperating teacher.

Use of Cell Phones: Refrain from using cell phones at all times while in the schools.

Dress Professionally: Even if you will be teaching in a gym and dressing casually on a daily basis, your interview appearance should be professional.  It is recommended that you be conscious about hygiene, jewelry, etc.

Non-School Related Activities: In order to ensure a maximum learning experience during student teaching, student teachers are encouraged to give top priority to their teaching responsibilities. All student teachers are discouraged from engaging in any employment or any activities that interfere with their student teaching during the school week.

Substituting During Student Teaching: A student teacher may substitute during student teaching under certain conditions:

• The student teacher may substitute only for his/her own cooperating teacher.
• The student teacher must meet the school district’s requirements for substituting.
• The student teacher must be paid for this service at the standard rate of the school district.
• School administrator, cooperating teacher, and clinical faculty must agree that the     student teacher is capable of effectively replacing the teacher for the day. In most  cases, this will not occur until the student has been in the placement for several           weeks.
• School administrator or cooperating teacher should notify the Coordinator of Teacher Certification and Clinical Experiences if the student teacher will be substituting for more than three days in a row.

Criminal Record Check: All student teachers are subject to state legislation that requires all persons who regularly come into contact with pupils on a daily basis for a period of time to undergo a full criminal record check, including fingerprinting. The cost of this process is the student’s responsibility.  To complete the criminal records check, a student teacher should take the following steps:

• Obtain the appropriate paperwork from the school district(s).
• Process your criminal records check at the district’s police station, your New
• Hampshire hometown police station, or at Plymouth State University’s campus police department (there may be a fee for this service).
• Bring completed fingerprint form to the school district.

Protocol for Problem Resolution:

• If a problem arises during your student teaching experience, you should make every attempt to resolve it.
• If you should experience a problem with your cooperating teacher, you should discuss this with your clinical faculty. The clinical faculty can facilitate problem resolution or determine if it should be brought to the Coordinator of Teacher Certification and Clinical Experiences.
• If a problem arises with your clinical faculty, you should contact the Coordinator of Teacher Certification and Clinical Experiences directly.

Concerns Regarding Student Teaching Performance: If a concern arises in regard to student teaching performance, the following steps will be taken.

• A student teaching focus plan will be developed by the clinical faculty, the cooperating teacher and the Coordinator of Teacher Certification and Clinical Experiences.
• If necessary a meeting with all parties concerned will be held, as well as the Coordinator of Teacher Certification and Clinical Experiences, and the Director of Teacher Education.
• Other alternative recommendations may be made.

Withdrawal from Student Teaching: Withdrawal from student teaching may occur for one or more of (but not limited to) the following reasons:

• Failure to follow constructive suggestions made by the supervising team.
• Conduct inappropriate for the setting.
• Failure to consistently and promptly report to the site.
• Request by the student teacher.
• Request by the cooperating teacher, clinical faculty or school administrator.
• Excessive absences or tardiness.

If a student withdraws from student teaching, this must be done by the 13th week of the semester.

Procedures for withdrawal include the following:

• A formal conference involving the student teacher, clinical faculty,  the Coordinator of Teacher Certification and Clinical Experiences, and the Director of Teacher Education.
• A formal request and withdrawal form must be submitted to the Coordinator of Teacher Certification and Clinical Experiences by the student teacher.
• Candidate must notify advisor and make plans for completing requirements for graduation.
• All necessary paperwork must be filled out, signed and submitted to the appropriate office.