Welcome

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This handbook is designed to serve as a guide for students, cooperating teachers, field supervisors, and district administrators regarding the placement and operation of the student teacher program at the University of Houston-Victoria. Field supervisors, cooperating teachers, and university faculty have contributed greatly to its publication. Ideas and suggestions have been gleaned from the review of other handbooks from other institutions.

In addition to those who have contributed to the writing of this handbook, University of Houston-Victoria is indebted to area school districts that provide placements for field experiences and student teaching during these important phases of teacher preparation. The mentoring and professional guidance UHV students receive from school personnel is critical in their development as teachers. UHV gratefully acknowledges the many contributions the teachers and administrators of area school districts make towards our program.

Welcome to Student Teaching

Student teaching is the culminating phase of your professional preparation in becoming a classroom teacher. It provides an intensive and extended teaching experience that offers you a supervised laboratory in which to apply the methods and strategies you have been taught in your professional education courses.

During your student teaching experience, you will develop new skills and understandings about teaching. You will re-examine your professional knowledge about teaching strategies, subject matter, learners, and society in general. You will re-examine your feelings, motivations, attitudes, values, knowledge, and skills through experimentation, self-analysis, reflection, observation, and consultation with others. You will begin to synthesize your coursework, training, workshops, and background experiences in the context of classroom teaching.

You will find student teaching to be an exciting, meaningful, fulfilling, and rewarding experience. It will be a tremendous learning experience as you assume the responsibilities of the regular classroom teacher. You will want to take full advantage of the experiences and advice of both your district and field supervisors. Your ability to build and sustain positive relationships with the total educational team assisting you during the student teaching experience will prove to be invaluable to you. Be sure to ask questions, raise issues, and talk about concerns and uncertainties. Take full advantage of this learning opportunity!

On behalf of the faculty and staff of the University of Houston-Victoria, best wishes for a productive and successful student teaching experience.