Responsibilities of the University Supervisor
University Supervisors have teaching experience, some mentoring experience, Clinical Educator Training, and at least a Master’s degree. The major roles of the University Supervisor are to be a facilitator in the student teaching experience and to act as a liaison between the school site and the University. These roles share the same complexity as that of the cooperating teacher in that the University Supervisor is both an advocate and evaluator for the candidate. Although the supervision of the teacher candidate is a joint responsibility, University Supervisors must meet with both the teacher candidate and the cooperating teacher on a regular basis to ensure the efficacy of the program and the candidate’s progress. University Supervisors will make at least five observations at regular intervals throughout the semester and provide formative feedback and suggestions for improvement. They may also make unannounced visits and observations during the semester. Supervisors must also plan and conduct three seminars.
University Supervisors also must:
- Attend the University Orientation Meeting for University Supervisors.
- Conduct an orientation session no later than the end of the first week of the experience with the cooperating teacher, teacher candidate and building principal (if possible). Discuss all evaluation forms, procedures and expectations of the student teaching experience.
- Provide the Student Teaching Handbook to the cooperating teacher.
- Develop and maintain a personal file for each student. Keep a schedule for observations and try to vary the time and day you observe.
- Attend the Student Teaching Orientation meeting which will be held during the first week of each semester.
- Evaluate the lesson plans of each candidate and provide feedback to the candidate;
- Plan, schedule and deliver 3 seminars with assigned students.
- Schedule a MINIMUM of 5 observation visits and provide specific, constructive feedback orally and in writing to document the progress of the teacher candidate.
- Periodically review the Teacher Candidate’s binder and sign off on the reflective journal.
- Confer with the teacher candidate following each observation. A pre-observation conference is suggested; a post-observation conference is required.
- Obtain the signature of the Teacher Candidate on all observation forms.
- Confer with the cooperating teacher at each observation visit.
- Be available to the teacher candidate and cooperating teacher whenever support is needed.
- Provide timely responses to professional problems, including inadequate performance and inappropriate behavior by the Teacher Candidate.
- Communicate with the Internship Office when problems arise, co-write a Professional Development Plan when necessary and provide information to the University to help resolve problems with the teacher candidate.
- Complete assessment forms and surveys by established deadlines and turn all forms into the Internship Office along with the candidate’s grade.