STUDENT TEACHERS
Pre-Practicum, Full Practicum, and Clinical Experience
Student teachers are required to complete all the requirements for licensure
as listed in the pre-practicum
or full practicum/clinical syllabus. All syllabi
are available online.
Students are expected to be punctual for all practicum assignments. The University
calendar is followed for pre-practicum assignments; the school district
calendar is followed for full practica and clinical experiences.
Full practicum student teachers must attend school every day the teacher is attending
and follow the teacher's schedule, e.g., to conferences or workshops.
Students are required to attend on-campus meetings during student
teaching. These dates will be posted on the calendar and shared with students
at orientation and information sessions as well as by direct mailings.
Students are expected to display a professional attitude when visiting
schools for signing of consent forms, and on any field trips associated
with student teaching as well as throughout the required practicum or
pre-practicum experience.
Students are expected to dress professionally at all times on site.
Students are expected to refrain from unprofessional remarks about colleagues,
parents, or students; maintain confidentiality regarding students; and
apply the basic rules of courtesy toward all teachers, administrators,
and other members of the school community.
Students are expected to refrain from discussing the "adult content" of their personal lives on site, and to represent Boston College and the Lynch School of Education in a positive and professional manner.
Students are expected to turn cell phones off and keep them out of use in the placement classroom.
Students are expected to refrain from using the school computers for personal business or checking email during the placement.
Student teachers are required to read the Professional
Code of Ethics (National Education Association) at the beginning of
the practicum. This is available on line at: http://www.nea.org/aboutnea/code.html
Students are responsible for informing the Practicum Office of any change in address or phone number to ensure effective and timely communication.
No Boston College "spring break" is allowed for spring full practicum student teaching assignments, without special permission from the Associate Dean of Undergraduate Student Services.
COOPERATING SCHOOL PERSONNEL
Cooperating Teacher
Under Massachusetts's licensure regulations, a student teacher is
assisted and evaluated both by someone representing the preparing university
and by a cooperating teacher.
The cooperating teacher is an experienced practitioner chosen by an official
of the school or school system in which the student has been accepted
to perform student teaching. The cooperating teachers for a practicum
and a clinical experience must be recommended by the building principal,
and licensed in the same field and at the same grade level(s) as the
license sought by the student teacher.
The cooperating teacher schedules activities for the student teacher,
gradually increasing responsibility from observation through assisting
to taking on full teaching responsibility.
The cooperating teacher for a practicum and clinical experience student
arranges the schedule so the student teacher takes on full responsibility
for at least two weeks at the end of the experience. Full responsibility
includes planning, teaching and evaluating lessons, correcting papers,
meeting with faculty and parents, performing lunchroom, bus, and study
hall duties, and all other related aspects of teaching.
In every facet of performance, the cooperating teacher observes the student teacher at work and provides feedback essential to the student teacher's growth.
The cooperating teacher is the professional in most frequent, ongoing,
and direct contact with the student teacher.
Cooperating teachers who accept Lynch School student teachers agree to:
- Orient the student to the school and district
- Co-plan and guide the student teacher throughout the experience
- Model effective teaching strategies
- Allow the student teacher to teach and take risks in trying new methods
- Provide constructive feedback
- Meet regularly with the student teacher
- Meet with the Lynch School supervisor and the student teacher for three-way conferences to discuss the PPA (Pre-service Performance Assessment) as required by the Massachusetts Department of Education. The PPA is found in the syllabus.
- Inform Lynch School supervisor immediately if the student is unsuccessful in any way
- Sign all appropriate forms
- Consult with supervisor about the grade
A complete packet of information is given to each cooperating teacher at the
beginning of the pre- or full practicum experience with more detailed explanation
of the role and expectations. Any cooperating teacher who does not receive this
packet should contact the Practicum Office.
A handbook for cooperating teachers Techniques and Strategies for Coaching
Student Teachers (Pelletier, 2000) is also available in the Boston
College Bookstore or in the Educational Resource Center, Campion Hall. Courses
for cooperating teachers are available each semester as well.
Cooperating Teachers as "Teacher Leaders"
Cooperating teachers hosting full time student teachers are encouraged
to complete the "Supervision in Action" course ED401 developed by Dr.
Pelletier. The course provides opportunities to refine supervision skills,
stimulate reflection on practice, and discuss the evolving role of the
cooperating teacher as a teacher educator, as well as to develop online mentoring skills and strategies.
Cooperating Teachers as On-Site Supervisors
Cooperating teachers who have completed the Supervision in Action course
may assume the role of "site-based pre-practicum supervisor"
in some partnership schools and create opportunities for further collaboration
among student teachers.
Cooperating School Liaison/Contact
Many schools have teachers who take on a leadership role in working directly
with the Practicum Office regarding the placement and supervision of student
teachers. This teacher receives copies of mailings and serves as a liaison
in all school related activities.
School Principal
The principal serves as the administrator overseeing all placements of
student teachers in the school. Principals receive mailings of all Practicum
Office activities.
Department Chair
The Department Chair in high schools often serves as official liaison
to the Practicum Office. This teacher is responsible for matching student
teachers with cooperating teachers within the department.
Central Office Administration
In some large districts Central Office administration is involved in placement
of student teachers in partnership programs or clusters.
LYNCH SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS AND STAFF
Directors of Practicum Experiences and Teacher Induction
The Director and Certification Officer, Fran
Loftus, is responsible for placement of all student teachers in full practica
and clinical experiences for undergraduate and graduate teacher education programs.
She is responsible for the professional development of clinical faculty supervisors
working with students in full practica and clinical experiences. Together with
the Assistant Director, she recruits and hires graduate assista nts who supervise
students in pre-practicum experiences. Additionally she oversees the management
of the database, and is the contact person for undergraduate parking permits
for LSOE Teacher Education.
The Assistant Director, Melita Malley, is responsible for placement of all student teachers in pre-practicums for undergraduate and graduate teacher education programs. She is responsible for the professional development of graduate assistant supervisors. In addition , she organizes and designs the Special Issues Series to bring current information about diversity and legal issues to student teachers while they are completing practicum experiences.
Practicum Program Specialist/Office Manager
The Practicum Specialist and Office Manager, Melissa Logue, is responsible for
overseeing the daily operation of the office. She supervises all mailings, reception,
phone inquiries, and tasks related to efficient operation of the office, including
the work of several work-study students and graduate assistants.
Placement Coordinators
Two graduate assistants under the direction of the Directors
maintain the database, communicate with school liaisons and administrators,
and work directly with students for pre and full practicum placements.
Supervisor for Pre-practicum Student Teachers
Current graduate students in a Lynch School program for teaching, curriculum
& instruction, educational administration, or counseling may apply
for a graduate assistantship with the Practicum Office to supervise pre-practicum
student teachers.
Applicants must have teaching experience and are carefully screened by
the Director and the Assistant Director.
Supervisors monitor students and make recommendations for continuing
into the full practicum.
Clinical Faculty Supervisor
Clinical faculty members are hired as part-time employees of Boston College
to supervise full practicum student teachers in semester-long practicum
and clinical experiences. Clinical faculty members may also be hired to teach courses
and will work directly with faculty in Inquiry Seminar discussions.
Licensure/Certification Officer
The Director serves as Licensure Officer for the state Department
of Education. In this role she endorses students who have successfully completed
the approved program of study and practicum experience.
An "endorsement meeting" is required of each student at the end of the student teaching experience. Samples from the Reflection Portfolio and Evidence Binder will be presented at this meeting as evidence of completion. The State Department of Education Pre-service Performance Assessment Rubric serves as evidential demonstration of competency in the classroom.