The Acorn

The Acorn is a newsletter for the cooperating teachers working with student teachers from the College of St. Benedict/St. John's University. This publication is intended to help our cooperating teachers understand their roles and responsibilities as well as provide them with current research and best practice in working with student teachers. Additional information helpful to mentorship, pedagogy, and current issues in education is often included.

Trauma-Informed Teaching

This week's edition of The Acorn is dedicated to opportunities and information on the important topic of trauma-informed teaching. Next Saturday, the CSB/SJU Education Department is hosting a workshop on trauma-informed teaching and care for teachers working with students who have experienced trauma. Although the date for in-person registration is noted as today, Friday, February 18, you could let us know through registration or email by Monday afternoon. We would love to have you attend either in-person or virtually.

I have also curated some resources that may be helpful in your background and practice related to this topic.

I hope you find this helpful.

I am grateful for your mentorship and support of CSB/SJU student teachers and the children in your communities.

For Candidates in 12- or 16-week placements:

Week 7 with Students:

• Conduct one formal observation
• Conduct informal observations and provide actionable feedback
• Co-teach in classes/subjects the student teacher is not leading
• Elementary: Allow the student teacher to fully teach in one subject, minimum
• Secondary: Allow the student teacher to teach up to two classes less than a full-time load, if the student teacher is prepared to do so
• Model teaching, learning, and assessment for the student teacher

Week 8 with Students:

• Engage in goal-setting for the remainder of the term
• Revise teaching calendar as necessary based on observational data
• CT to complete feedback form
• Review and reset teaching times as necessary using the following as a guide:
• Elementary: Allow the student teacher to teach to 75-80% of full load
• Secondary: Allow the student teacher to teach to almost full time (one section less than the teacher’s full load)

For Candidates in 8-week placements:

Week 7 with Students:

• Discuss lesson planning and management techniques
• Informally observe and provide actionable feedback
• Conduct one formal observation
• Assist student teacher to address areas needing improvement with continued informal observations and feedback
• Discuss transitioning back to your classroom
• Ensure that a final meeting has been scheduled with the university supervisor
• Prepare letter of recommendation/reference for the final meeting
• Elementary and Secondary: Solo teaching full time to complete 10 consecutive days

Week 8 with Students:

• Have the student teacher teach half time and observe (either you or colleagues) half time
• Participate in the final meeting
• Complete all CSB/SJU forms linked below: Final Evaluation and Dispositional Evaluation
• Share letter of recommendation/reference with the student teacher, supervisor, and director of student teaching (jmeagher001@csbsju.edu)

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.

Additional Forms:

Cooperating Teacher Information (if not completed in the past three years)

Feedback (weeks 2, as needed--6, 10, & 12)
Cooperating Teacher's Final Evaluation of Student Teacher

Cooperating Teacher's Dispositional Evaluation of Student Teacher

Jennifer L. Meagher, EdD.

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