Guidelines For The College Supervisor

The college supervisor performs numerous roles as the representative from Messiah College and as primary liaison between the Teacher Education Program, the student teacher, the cooperating teacher, and the assigned public school.  Communication between the college and the public school is crucial for all successful student teacher experiences.  The college supervisor's roles and responsibilities include the following areas.

A.  Orientation and Coordination

1. Orienting student teachers and cooperating teachers to the goals, activities, sequence and administration of the student teaching program and Professional Semester.
2. Coordinate and oversee program activities through frequent school visits, personal conferences with student teacher and cooperating teacher, consultations with building administrators and written memos if needed.
3. Clarify and interpret college policies concerning the student teaching program.
4. Serve as a liaison for the student teacher - cooperating teacher relationship as well as the public school - college relationship.

B.  Supervision

1. Make an "on-site" visit each week to assess the progress of the student teacher.
2. Observe the student's involvement in classroom instruction.
3. Complete a weekly observation report (1 copy for the student teacher, 1 copy to DTE) .
4. Confer with the student teacher prior to and/or following each observation.
5. Confer with the cooperating teacher prior to and/or following each observation.
6. Assist the student teacher in establishing and achieving goals.
7. Assist the student in developing specific instructional skills.
8. Provide personal and instructional support.
9. Assist the student in reflecting on the current experience and moving to a broader perspective on the profession of teaching.
10. Assist the cooperating teacher with supervisory techniques.
11. Provide supportive suggestions to work through difficult situations for all parties.
12. Provide related information to both parties which will enhance the experience in a positive manner.

C.  Evaluation

1. Document observations with written statements/reports which are shared with the student teacher and cooperating teacher.
2. Maintain an ongoing log of actions with the student teacher.
3. Keep the Director of Teacher Education informed of any concerns and/or issues which might be a problem for the student teacher via weekly report system.
4. Arrange and conduct a mid-term three way conference for evaluative purposes.
5. Prepare with the cooperating teacher the final evaluation - Messiah College TEP Evaluation Form and individually the PDE 430. Submit these to the office of the Director of Teacher Education as the basis for the final grade.

D.  Program Improvement

1. Provide formal and informal feedback to the Teacher Education Program and Department of Education on issues related to the student teaching program.
2. Assist the Teacher Education Program and Department of Education in ongoing upgrading efforts for the field experiences to continue educationally sound programs and involvement with the public schools.