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Student Teaching Responsibilities

Dedication

  1. Make student teaching a top priority for the semester.
  2. Report to the school setting on time and remain until the designated end of the school day.

Organization

  1. Notify the school and the cooperating teacher about the dates of the student teaching seminars.
  2. Turn in a weekly teaching schedule to your field supervisor. Notify him/her if changes occur in this schedule.
  3. Notify the school, the cooperating teacher, and the field supervisor as soon as possible if absent due to illness is necessary.

Preparation

  1. Provide the cooperating teacher with written lesson plans at least two days in advance.
  2. Prepare in advance all teaching materials/technology to alleviate misuse of time and misbehavior of students.
  3. Read a variety of resource materials beyond the text materials in order to add enrichment to the lesson.
  4. Plan for the most efficient methods for carrying out classroom procedures and lesson transitions.
  5. Allow for flexibility in teaching by planning for interruptions or time constraints.

Instruction

  1. Know and understand the major principles and concepts of the material to ensure high levels of teaching competence.
  2. Sequence instructional events to enhance student understanding.
  3. Observe the behavior and learning styles of students in a world of diverse cultures in order to create a classroom atmosphere that enhances multicultural understanding.
  4. Incorporate a variety of teaching strategies to provide for individual learning styles and to better develop inquiry and problem-solving skills.
  5. Become competent in creating and using instructional materials and techniques that are consistent with the instructional level of the students.
  6. Present directions in a clear, sequential manner.
  7. Develop critical thinking through the use of thought-provoking questions.
  8. Choose a variety of assessment tools and teach students to use self-evaluation.
  9. Provide lesson activities that require cooperation and teamwork.
  10. Encourage creativity by accepting students’ ideas to enrich classroom experiences.

Student Relations

  1. Create and maintain a positive learning environment by demonstrating respect for each student.
  2. Develop with the cooperating teacher a specific classroom management plan that complements both the existing plan and your strengths as a new teacher.
  3. Maintain a firm, but friendly relationship with each student.
  4. Be aware of the students’ social and emotional needs.
  5. Be a respectful listener.

Professionalism

  1. Wear appropriate professional attire. Respect the dress attire approved by the school campus.
  2. Develop an individual plan for self-evaluation.
  3. Welcome constructive suggestions and incorporate them in subsequent planning and teaching.
  4. Be discreet with any confidential information.
  5. Become familiar with the school organizations and programs by attending any school and/or parents meetings when appropriate.
  6. Attend all mandatory seminars.
  7. Establish professional relationships by interacting with school personnel (administrators, faculty, and support staff), students, and parents.
  8. Be familiar with school policies and procedures.
  9. Be familiar with the Texas Administrative Code regarding the Educators’ Code of Ethics. See below.

Texas Administrative Code

TITLE 19: EDUCATION
PART 7: STATE BOARD FOR EDUCATOR CERTIFICATION
CHAPTER 247: EDUCATORS' CODE OF ETHICS
RULE §247.1 Purpose and Scope; Definitions

(b) The Texas educator shall comply with standard practices and ethical conduct toward students, professional colleagues, school officials, parents, and members of the community and shall safeguard academic freedom. The Texas educator, in maintaining the dignity of the profession, shall respect and obey the law, demonstrate personal integrity, and exemplify honesty. The Texas educator, in exemplifying ethical relations with colleagues, shall extend just and equitable treatment to all members of the profession. The Texas educator, in accepting a position of public trust, shall measure success by the progress of each student toward realization of his or her potential as an effective citizen. The Texas educator, in fulfilling responsibilities in the community, shall cooperate with parents and others to improve the public schools of the community.

RULE §247.2: Code of Ethics and Standard Practices for Texas Educators

Enforceable Standards.

  1. Professional Ethical Conduct, Practices and Performance.
    1. Standard 1.1. The educator shall not intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly engage in deceptive practices regarding official policies of the school district, educational institution, educator preparation program, the Texas Education Agency, or the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) and its certification process.
    2. Standard 1.2. The educator shall not intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly misappropriate, divert, or use monies, personnel, property, or equipment committed to his or her charge for personal gain or advantage.
    3. Standard 1.3. The educator shall not submit fraudulent requests for reimbursement, expenses, or pay.
    4. Standard 1.4. The educator shall not use institutional or professional privileges for personal or partisan advantage.
    5. Standard 1.5. The educator shall neither accept nor offer gratuities, gifts, or favors that impair professional judgment or that are used to obtain special advantage. This standard shall not restrict the acceptance of gifts or tokens offered and accepted openly from students, parents of students, or other persons or organizations in recognition or appreciation of service.
    6. Standard 1.6. The educator shall not falsify records, or direct or coerce others to do so.
    7. Standard 1.7. The educator shall comply with state regulations, written local school board policies, and other state and federal laws.
    8. Standard 1.8. The educator shall apply for, accept, offer, or assign a position or a responsibility on the basis of professional qualifications.
    9. Standard 1.9. The educator shall not make threats of violence against school district employees, school board members, students, or parents of students.
    10. Standard 1.10. The educator shall be of good moral character and be worthy to instruct or supervise the youth of this state.
    11. Standard 1.11. The educator shall not intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly misrepresent his or her employment history, criminal history, and/or disciplinary record when applying for subsequent employment.
    12. Standard 1.12. The educator shall refrain from the illegal use, abuse, or distribution of controlled substances, prescription drugs, and toxic inhalants.
    13. Standard 1.13. The educator shall not be under the influence of alcohol or consume alcoholic beverages on school property or during school activities when students are present.
  2. Ethical Conduct Toward Professional Colleagues.
    1. Standard 2.1. The educator shall not reveal confidential health or personnel information concerning colleagues unless disclosure serves lawful professional purposes or is required by law.
    2. Standard 2.2. The educator shall not harm others by knowingly making false statements about a colleague or the school system.
    3. Standard 2.3. The educator shall adhere to written local school board policies and state and federal laws regarding the hiring, evaluation, and dismissal of personnel.
    4. Standard 2.4. The educator shall not interfere with a colleague's exercise of political, professional, or citizenship rights and responsibilities.
    5. Standard 2.5. The educator shall not discriminate against or coerce a colleague on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, gender, disability, family status, or sexual orientation.
    6. Standard 2.6. The educator shall not use coercive means or promise of special treatment in order to influence professional decisions or colleagues.
    7. Standard 2.7. The educator shall not retaliate against any individual who has filed a complaint with the SBEC or who provides information for a disciplinary investigation or proceeding under this chapter.
    8. Standard 2.8. The educator shall not intentionally or knowingly subject a colleague to sexual harassment.
  3. Ethical Conduct Toward Students.
    1. Standard 3.1. The educator shall not reveal confidential information concerning students unless disclosure serves lawful professional purposes or is required by law.
    2. Standard 3.2. The educator shall not intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly treat a student or minor in a manner that adversely affects or endangers the learning, physical health, mental health, or safety of the student or minor.
    3. Standard 3.3. The educator shall not intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly misrepresent facts regarding a student.
    4. Standard 3.4. The educator shall not exclude a student from participation in a program, deny benefits to a student, or grant an advantage to a student on the basis of race, color, gender, disability, national origin, religion, family status, or sexual orientation.
    5. Standard 3.5. The educator shall not intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly engage in physical mistreatment, neglect, or abuse of a student or minor.
    6. Standard 3.6. The educator shall not solicit or engage in sexual conduct or a romantic relationship with a student or minor.
    7. Standard 3.7. The educator shall not furnish alcohol or illegal/unauthorized drugs to any person under 21 years of age unless the educator is a parent or guardian of that child or knowingly allow any person under 21 years of age unless the educator is a parent or guardian of that child to consume alcohol or illegal/unauthorized drugs in the presence of the educator.
    8. Standard 3.8. The educator shall maintain appropriate professional educator-student relationships and boundaries based on a reasonably prudent educator standard.
    9. Standard 3.9. The educator shall refrain from inappropriate communication with a student or minor, including, but not limited to, electronic communication such as cell phone, text messaging, email, instant messaging, blogging, or other social network communication. Factors that may be considered in assessing whether the communication is inappropriate include, but are not limited to:
      1. the nature, purpose, timing, and amount of the communication;
      2. the subject matter of the communication;
      3. whether the communication was made openly, or the educator attempted to conceal the communication;
      4. whether the communication could be reasonably interpreted as soliciting sexual contact or a romantic relationship;
      5. whether the communication was sexually explicit; and
      6. whether the communication involved discussion(s) of the physical or sexual attractiveness or the sexual history, activities, preferences, or fantasies of either the educator or the student.

Source Note: The provisions of this §247.2 adopted to be effective March 1, 1998, 23 TexReg 1022; amended to be effective August 22, 2002, 27 TexReg 7530; amended to be effective December 26, 2010, 35 TexReg 11242; amended to be effective December 27, 2016, 41 TexReg 10329; amended to be effective October 21, 2018, 43 TexReg 6839

Retrieved from Texas Administrative Code on 11/29/2022.