The Acorn
A Newsletter for CSB/SJU Cooperating Teachers
Volume 3, no. 18--Friday, May 7, 2021
Growing, Nurturing, and Supporting CSB/SJU Student Teachers
A Message from the Director of Student Teaching
As we near the end of teacher appreciation week and the academic school year, I reflect on how thankful I am for the excellent teachers who have supported CSB/SJU teacher candidates throughout their student teaching in the midst of a global pandemic.
I cannot thank each cooperating teacher, university supervisor, and school support person enough for the work that has been done to help our student teachers feel welcomed, valued, and comfortable in their placements and schools. The mentorship our candidates have received has been phenomenal.
We have learned so much about what is truly important in teaching and learning over the past semester and as a result of pandemic limitations. How we interact with one another and value each other's voices and talents has come to the forefront. This is so exciting!
C.S. Lewis wrote, "For what you see and hear depends a good deal on where you are standing; it also depends on what sort of person you are." We all stand in different places and show up in different ways, and I am certain that the sorts of people we have been fortunate to work with this semester are truly outstanding.
Educational professionals and colleagues--you are appreciated!
The Final for Student Teachers
For student teachers in their second 8-week placement and in a 16-week placement:
Final to-dos--
- Ease the student teacher back to co-teaching and classroom support
- Complete all CSB/SJU forms and evaluations noted in the Quick Links below
- Participate in the final triad meeting
- Share a letter of recommendation/reference with both the student teacher and university supervisor
For student teachers beginning a 5-week endorsement placement:
Week 4--
- Continue to teach as in the previous week
- Assist student teacher to address areas needing improvement with continued informal observations and feedback
- Conduct one formal evaluation
- Discuss transitioning back to your classroom (missing work, schedule for return, etc.)
- Ensure that a final meeting has been scheduled with the university supervisor
- Prepare letter of recommendation/reference for the final meeting
Week 5--
- Allow the student teacher to continue to teach as much as possible, easing the student teacher back to co-teaching and classroom support at the end of the week
- Complete all CSB/SJU forms and evaluations noted in the Quick Links below
- Participate in the final triad meeting
- Share a letter of recommendation/reference with both the student teacher and university supervisor
Quick Links
CSB/SJU Student Teaching Handbook
Student Teaching Observations (by Cooperating Teacher/University Supervisor/Director)
This observation/evaluation form should be used to complete observations throughout the placement. Six formal observations of the student teacher are required within the span of student teaching. We ask that you complete 6 for a 16-week placement, 5 in a 12-week placement, 3 in an 8-week placement, and 2 in a 5-week placement. The entire form does not need to be completed for each observation; however, by the end of the placement, each part should be addressed.Final forms for the completion of a placement:
Cooperating Teacher's Final Evaluation of Student Teacher
Cooperating Teacher's Dispositional Evaluation of Student Teacher
Readings and Resources
Getting Smart
How to Refocus Students Back on School
Summer Resources
CSB/SJU Education Department
Director of Elementary and Secondary Student Teaching
Allison Spenader, PhD.
Chair
Email: jmeagher001@csbsju.edu
Website: csbsju.edu/education
Location: 37 College Avenue South, St Joseph, MN, USA
Phone: 320-363-5709