Cooperating Teachers
If you host a RIC student for student teaching experience, you are a cooperating teacher. Student teaching, the culmination of a student's teacher preparation program, is a semester-long experience that requires the candidate to assume the role and duties of the classroom teacher under the guidance of the cooperating teacher and the college supervisor. Your willingness to open your classrooms and to offer your time and expertise to Feinstein School of Education and Human Development students is appreciated!
Qualifications
We are looking for cooperating teachers who are:
- high quality educators who will demonstrate a positive impact on RIC candidates development and PK-12 student learning and development;
- interested in serving as mentors for RIC candidates;
- holding professional certification for a minimum of three years in the area of certification for the grade level or special subject in which the candidate is assigned;
- past one year in current assignment;
- welcoming to candidates and will provide maximum opportunities for full participation in the school’s learning community.
Placement for Student Teaching
- Approximately one year prior to a student teacher placement, teacher candidates complete an on-line student teaching application.
- Teacher candidates are not placed in districts and buildings where they were students, where close family or friends work, where their children attend school, or where they live. Self-placements are not allowed.
- The Office of Partnerships and Placements reviews applications and requests placements through the district office or school (depending on district/school preference.) Placements are requested in September/October for spring semester and March for fall semester.
- Placements are not official until approved at the district level and the teacher candidate has been issued a Student Teaching Permit through RIDE.
Expectations of the Cooperating Teacher
As the cooperating teacher, you are primarily responsible for the oversight, mentoring, and supervision of day-to-day responsibilities, as well as, evaluation of the student teacher. As a mentor to the student teacher, you provide the warm and supportive atmosphere for the candidate to grow as a teacher. You help the candidate become acclimated to both the classroom and school environment.
We currently use the Rhode Island Consortium Educator Evaluation (RI-ICEE) to assess our student teachers, as well as, a Professional Behavior Indicator tool. We expect that you will model the characteristics of a
Reflective Practitioner to foster effective teaching and learning.
For a full list of policies, procedures, and expectations see the
Student Teaching Handbook.
Cooperating Teacher Documents
Cooperating Teacher Pay
Feinstein School of Education cooperating teachers receive a stipend of $500.00 for a full placement and $250.00 for a half semester placement. To receive the stipend, cooperating teachers must submit a request for payment after all cooperating teacher requirements are completed through
this website at the end of each semester. Cooperating teachers receive email reminders and instructions from Tami Mildner, Coordinator, Office of Partnerships and Placements.
