Professional educators ground their behavior and attitude in the strong reliance of specific values and moral character necessary to be considered model contributors to society. Examples of values and moral behavior expected in the teaching profession include respect, trust, honesty, humility, and strong work ethic. In addition to the knowledge you possess and the talents you apply, you will be judged on your growth as a professional. Professional characteristics on which you will be evaluated include punctuality, attendance, cooperation, and participation. Because this course is designed to develop you as a professional teacher, correct values and moral character will be stressed. Therefore, attendance and participation is crucial to your success and that of your classmates. If you are ill or an emergency occurs, contact the instructor prior to the scheduled class time; otherwise, your attendance and participation are firm expectations.
Toward this effort, the following professional expectations exist:
- Come to class every day. Unexcused absences will lower your grade. Pre-arranged absences will only be excused if the instructor deems the reason to be valid.
- Arrive to class on time and prepared. As prospective professionals you are expected to be punctual and prepared to contribute.
- Participate in the class by contributing to discussions and other interactive activities.
- Refrain from using any form of tobacco in the classroom.
- Remove your hat upon entering the classroom.
- Professional dress is required for presenters during laboratory exercises (unless indicated differently). For males, this is interpreted to mean a tie, button-up dress shirt and dress trousers (no denim/jeans). For females, this is interpreted to mean a blouse and skirt or dress trousers (no denim/jeans), or a dress.
- Proofread all written material and keep in mind the long term impact of written and verbal communications. Seek others to proofread materials prior to presentation for subject clarity and absence of errors. Not only will this help your current writing, but it also better prepares you to ask for and take feedback as a professional.
- Positive leadership and interpersonal relationships are encouraged. Disrespect toward your instructors, fellow students, or resource people will not be tolerated.
- At times, the instructors will evaluate professionalism subjectively.
Student teaching is a cooperative effort between a specific school system and the university, with the school providing the realistic situations for student teachers to apply and synthesize theory and practice. Student teaching is the culminating field experience in the teacher preparation program. The cooperating teacher is the key person in the experience who guides and evaluates the student teacher’s activities on a daily basis. The aim of student teaching is to have the student teacher develop his/her unique style of teaching and to begin to master appropriate teaching skills and behaviors. Developing the necessary professional teaching attitudes and competencies is an important component of the student teaching experience.
“Supervising a student teacher is an immense responsibility. Quite possibly the influence you have on the student teacher will help shape the teaching behavior for much of their professional career. It is imperative that when you accept the responsibility to sponsor a student teacher, you also accept the responsibility to carry forth on professional supervision and the modeling of teaching behavior and program management that is inherent in establishing high standards in the Agricultural Education profession.”
The university supervisor is involved in defining and communicating the purposes and expectations to be fulfilled by the student teacher and the cooperating teacher. An important role for the university supervisor is to assist in keeping channels of communication open between the cooperating teacher and the student teacher. The student teacher will be evaluated throughout the process by both the cooperating teacher and the university supervisor, using conferences focused on observation and data collection.
