Cooperating Teacher Feedback Comments on Student Teaching Program -- Elementary From the interaction you had with your student teacher, what strengths did you observe in NKU's teacher preparation program? I felt that my student teacher had a strong understanding of the content. I have been very happy with all the student teachers that have come from NKU. Thank you for preparing them and keeping that spark we all need to shine as we teach! Excellent Program! My student teacher was well prepared, outgoing, and very positive with the staff and students. was very well prepared, knowledgeable, punctual, caring, and hard-working. lesson preparation; self-assessment practices Well prepared for KTIP ability to reflect upon teaching effectiveness Very good classroom management. She was willing to start with grading work soon after starting. She knew a lot about technology and was eager to use it in the classroom. She is very ready and eager to teach the students. Feels comfortable jumping right into instruction. My student teacher was really prepared for planning lessons that aligned with the standards. Wider variety of instructional activities. My student teacher was very good at incorporating the standards in the lesson. She was also very prepared each day with her lesson planning. The expectations are high and the students seem well prepared. She knew the importance of connecting lessons to the standards. is very knowledgeable of the Kentucky Core Standards and makes sure that the content she is teaching matches them. She integrates technology into her lesson plans. Enthusiastic teaching and multi-modal lesson plans NKU provides multiple opportunities to demonstrate your teaching abilities. My student teacher had a vast content knowledge and used innovative instructional strategies. She used technology daily and knew where to locate resources. She was given all the knowledge needed. Knowledgeable of content. Organized. Good grasp of classroom management. Unit planning I've had two student teachers this year and both were well-prepared in all teaching strategies. Strength in content knowledge My student teacher had a solid background in assessment. She was well prepared and was knowledgeable in the new standards.
It was very evident that the student teacher was well versed in the use of technology and the latest assessment strategies. Content knowledge was very strong as well. Preparation was excellent! Very knowledgeable of content and was comfortable with various student levels. ST was able to reach all students. Strong in technology, knowledge of standards, lesson plan design, differentiation Technology knew what was expected of her The student teacher was very punctual. She had her plans done by every Friday and I could know what she was going to do. Student was professional in dress and attitude. The strength of my student teacher was definitely her positive attitude and overall disposition about student teaching. She came in well prepared and was very hard working. She was passionate about teaching and this carried over into forming great relationships with the students in my classroom. She also did an excellent job lesson planning, assessing and evaluating the students. She was confident and ready to jump into the student teaching. She was well aware of the standards and assessment. Everything was so organized and easy to get answers clarified if there was a question. The student was well prepared by being exposed to many practicums/experiences in the schools prior to the student teaching the student teacher was very comfortable and knew what their role was and what was expected of them. She was well prepared, knowledgeable. Classroom management was good. She was very knowledgeable of the new common core standards. The students understand what demands the teaching profession places upon them. I really appreciated the orientation meeting and how well prepared my student teacher was. I love the disposition piece of your program. My student teacher was very prepared. She had a great work ethic and her communication skills were top notch. Planning lessons; willing to try new things; Best practice overall My student teacher came prepared with knowledge she needed to be successful. Knowledge of standards. The use of current technology to enhance and support the common core standards is a strength of my student teacher and possibly the teacher prep. program. Students were well prepared!!!!!!!!!!! Mine was a real "go getter." Also handled constructive feedback well. Knowledge of the standards and how to implement them, use of technology had very good classroom management skills. She was able to take the standards, write learning targets, activities and formative assessments based on them. She is well prepared. knowledge of content standards willingness to become part of the school community willingness to ask for and use feedback was well prepared in all areas for instructing a classroom.
Technology Lesson Planning Content Knowledge content knowledge, lesson planning format The student teacher was well prepared. She asked questions when she needed to. The student teacher displayed an excellent professional demeanor, great work ethic, and was always prepared for the day. She accepted suggestions well, and implemented them appropriately. She is very aware of the numerous things happening in the classroom at once, and juggles instruction and behavior management well. was well prepared. was well prepared to begin her student teaching experience. Her knowledge of curriculum, creative ideas, eagerness and confidence aided her in completing a successful internship experience. The student teacher exhibit a positive attitude with students and staff members. She also provided immediate feedback in a timely manner. With this particular student teacher, I didn't observe any strengths. Teachers are well prepared to step into a student teaching position. My student teacher knew exactly what was expected of her and seemed well prepared for her teaching assignments. Readiness to take on responsibilities had a great relationship with the students and managed the class extremely well. She came up with innovative lessons and was very enthusiastic. She had a good grasp of the content and standards for both grade levels in my class. My student teacher came well prepared every day. Lessons were well thought out and technology implemented. Self-reflection was also a strong point for my student teacher. Very prepared! My student teacher did a wonderful job. She was good at classroom management and worked hard to meet the needs of all the students. Student prepared to plan instruction and follow a pace preset by teacher or textbook. Some creativity in supplementary instruction to meet students' needs as a whole class and individually and to help solidify concepts. She was well prepared for classroom management and lesson planning. She worked great with the students, and knew how to interact with them. The lessons that were planned incorporated multiple learning styles. willingness to reflect on lessons and make changes when teaching it the next time. She was very receptive to feedback. Very attentive to her students needs and able to think on her toes to problem solve. Could connect with the student and use this relationship to best create a good learning environment. Lesson Plans Technology Assessment reflection, my student teacher, was an outstanding addition to my class. From the start she was ready and willing to do anything to foster learning in my class. She was very knowledgeable with technology as we had SMART boards installed in every classroom. She used technology to enhance all areas of academics during her time in my class. She was very professional with all aspects of teaching whether it be student learning or social
aspects. I was very impressed with knowledge of Kentucky Core Standards. All lessons were very well planned and implemented during her solo weeks. I would be very interested in any student teacher working in my classroom in the future. Content knowledge appears strong. She was well prepared and organized The supervisor was very prepared and knowledgeable. My student teacher was prepared to work hard and wanted to learn new things. NKU's program is very organized. Foliotek was easy to use. One strength would be knowledge of effective teaching strategies. Another strength is involvement in school activities (during and after school) and positive interaction with staff. use of technology to enhance instruction differentiating instruction He was very comfortable talking with the students. He has a very good understanding of the importance of PE on the students and he help them to the highest standards. She was very prepared for teaching in my classroom. She was very well planned. My student teacher was readily able to integrate technology into lessons and was quick to pick up on technology we have with which she was not familiar (CPS system, etc.) She was very professional in her preparation of materials and her dress. She was well prepared and knew what was expected of her. I have been consistently impressed by both attitude towards her work and her performance on the job. Her interpersonal and communication skills have allowed her to develop productive working relationships with students, parents and our faculty. is a team player and works very well with her teaching peers. is very skilled in writing lesson plans that differentiate instruction to meet individual student s needs. has a solid foundation of what best practices in teaching are and is in the beginning stages of using Dr. Marzano s teaching strategies. This student was prepared and willing to work hard for the students' best interest. Always prepared and wanting to learn. Had a true desire to help each child do their best. Well prepared both academically and professionally technology, behavior, friendly, cooperative, willing to learn, organization Great Planner Organized Good Classroom Management I believe the use of technology is very strong. I feel the program truly wants to students to succeed. He is very aware of standards/common core. My student teacher has developed an excellent rapport/communication skills with students, fellow educators, parents. My student teacher did a great job of lesson planning and finding activities that fit the KCCAS. I felt my student teacher was prepared. She knew exactly what she had to do to complete for NKU's standards. She came equipped with notebooks and forms. My student teacher was fabulous! She was confident and comfortable in the classroom and was well prepared for the "real world" teaching. From the interaction you had with your student teacher, what area(s) of improvement are needed in NKU's teacher preparation program?
I feel that student teachers need more preparation in differentiation, understanding IEP's, and conferencing with parents. NKU could do an "Opening School Experience" similar to UC's program where they learn how to set up the classroom and start the year! I feel the spring semester is more difficult for student teachers as many plans and units are in place. The fall semester offers more flexibility and would also benefit student teachers more to experience how to begin the school year. I also believe it would be more beneficial to student teachers to stay at one grade level the entire time. understanding the common core standards classroom management/time management Pre-service needs to emphasize Common Core Standards classroom management Need for lead-up skills and games/activities. How to present yourself as a professional in all ways - dress, language, attitude. Act as if it is a 16 week interview for a prospective employer. Classroom management strategies and the opportunity to apply them. The student teachers in our school this semester did not appear ready to accept critical evaluation of their instructional strategies and content. In other words, they seemed a bit shocked when their weaknesses were frankly addressed. I thought requiring the K-TIP format was definitely not needed or realistic to real teaching. That format needs to be streamlined. Tracey said she wished that student teaching could have been in the fall so she could see the procedures and routines being set in place for the year. This would better prepare for her future classroom. Professionalism-professional dress and attitude, no gossiping My student teacher needed more support and guidance in designing and implementing lesson plans. Include more focus on state/national standards when planning assessments and units. Student Self-Assessment I believe the teacher preparation prepares the student teachers who are suited for elementary education. The program could improve by weeding out those who are not child oriented or suited for elementary education. more classroom management ideas More knowledge about child development It is hard to say as this was my first student teacher and they were exceptionally well prepared for teaching. If all of the student teachers are coming out of the program like this one, I can only say, keep doing what you are doing. Classroom management strategies Formative assessments Student teaching the entire semester in one grade level Designing and planning instruction Implementing and managing instruction behavior management techniques Behavior management was an area she needed improvement. She was so afraid to get on the students. Another area is having high standards. Many of the student teachers don't push them to the highest levels. Student needed more content knowledge and awareness of the common core documents.
She needed a lot of help with her resume. It was 3 pages long and we had to scale it down to 1 page. Also, she didn't know much about reading and writing workshop which is such a big movement right now. Having many discussions with my student teacher he kept saying he wished they had a class that was all elementary game oriented where they would learn games and be responsible for teaching their peers games so that they could create a binder to take off with them as a resource. Be sure to have your professors implement/use Kentucky's Common Core Standards particularly in Math and Reading/Language Arts. My student teacher was under the impression that the previous standards were in place. Working on transitions and time management. classroom management Awareness of phonics and phonemic awareness skills I think that student teaching could be longer so they get a full feel of activities that happen different times of the year. I think the students should be required to make a detailed lesson plan for each day, not just when observed. Observations should be unplanned as well as planned. Time and behavior management were areas that my student teacher improved while working with me. She needed more guidance in these areas. Have most student teaching experiences in the fall when routines and procedures are being established difference between states and their uses of lesson plans, curriculum Classroom Management Classroom Management Student teacher also said that NKU told her to be quiet and not ask to many questions. I'm hoping this was not true. More classes on strategies to use for management, but she did a good job. Student teacher still working to implement classroom discipline procedure (stop light). She seems hesitant to have a formal behavioral consequence, though is very capable of addressing the misbehavior verbally with the child. Create assessments and use the assessment to guide instruction. This student teacher lacked initiative and work ethic. She was not able to plan independently. She did not have materials prepared for the students. She would pass that along to them or totally change the lesson and I have to reteach it. Continued classroom management support and assessment ideas. She struggled a little bit with time management and transitions. In general, classroom management and discipline. Flexibility in particular when daily routine and schedules are interrupted or changed. They need to understand this is part of the job and to go with the flow. The program may need more instruction on interacting and communicating with parents and intervention specialists. NKU's teacher preparation program could improve on teaching how to manage difficult situations/students in a classroom. I felt like my student teacher was not given the tools on how to handle students who had more behavioral issues. Lesson plan design Confidence to go on her own and not want my direction in every level.
Students need more information for RTI and enrichment. Clearer directions on some of the assignments The student teacher was not at all prepared for her student teaching assignment. She ended up being removed from my classroom part way through her assignment. I think she needed to be more prepared to manage a classroom full of students. One improvement would be behavior management for students with behavior issues and IEP's. student evaluation/feedback reflecting on teaching/learning Lesson planning, self-evaluating, and connecting with students. He is very nice with the kids, but he could greet and dismiss the students with more personality, enthusiasm, and charisma. More classroom management techniques. As it is with most student teachers, classroom management was the area of relative weakness for my student teacher. continue using the timer to keep on schedule as much as possible. This student could use further preparation in regards to classroom discipline. phonics, reading strategies, formative assessment I feel like they are never ready for real life teaching. They are more worried about if their lesson is in KTIP format rather than worrying about their students and what they really need. The daily job of a teacher if WAY more than what they learn and they are shocked when they come into the classroom. Discipline I would like to see a longer teaching assignment. It is very hard to get everything one needs to truly be prepared to teach in 8 or 6 weeks. This is true of any program, not just NKU. I would also like to see more practical classroom management. Plan Book implementation? Teaching the NKU students to use more hands on manipulatives when teaching and showing more modeling before students complete the activity I think all the students need to better prepared with appropriate language. Since many of NKU's students come from different demographics I feel it's the university's responsibility to recognize this weakness in these students and point this out to them before sending them into the schools. My student teacher did not always use proper language. There was use of double negatives from time to time. It's imperative that people who will be working with and teaching children need to speak appropriately. differentiation higher level