Cooperating Teachers

A cooperating teacher is a teaching professional who is approved for mentorship by Coastal Carolina University and serves as a role model, instructor, and coach for the practicum student. The cooperating teacher welcomes the student into his/her classroom. The cooperating teacher, in collaboration with a Coastal Carolina University supervisor/faculty member, is responsible for leading the student through progressively challenging activities and structuring the activities so that the practicum student applies theory, pedagogical concepts, and content knowledge while developing practical professional skills.

The role of the cooperating teacher is critical to the success of our students. Research indicates that the cooperating teacher has the greatest and longest-lasting influence on not only the practicum experience but also the student’s growth as a novice teacher long after the practicum has ended. In addition to such influence, mentoring has many other benefits such as lowering the student-teacher ratio and presenting an opportunity to learn from and co-teach with another professional.

Qualifications for Cooperating Teachers of Practicum Students

Coastal Carolina’s cooperating teachers for practicum students are carefully selected through the use of criteria that reflect high expectations and a collaborative process involving both school and university partners. With our clinically-based approach to teacher preparation within our partnering school districts, cooperating teachers must meet specific qualifications to serve in this role.

Minimum Requirements for Cooperating Teachers of Practicum Students:

At least one year of teaching experience
Certification in the subject area or grade level
Highly qualified status as defined by the South Carolina State Department of Education
Satisfactory teaching performance
A positive recommendation by the principal
Note: The teacher has not been placed on an improvement plan.

Qualifications for Cooperating Teachers of Interns

Coastal Carolina’s cooperating teachers are carefully selected through the use of criteria that reflect high expectations and a collaborative process involving both school and university partners. With our clinically-based approach to teacher preparation within our partnering school districts, cooperating teachers must meet specific qualifications to serve in this role. Minimum requirements for cooperating teachers for interns:

At least three years of teaching experience
Completion of the state mentor training prior to being assigned an intern
Certification in the subject area or grade level
Highly qualified status as defined by the South Carolina State Department of Education
Satisfactory teaching performance
A positive recommendation by the principal
Note: The teacher has not been placed on an improvement plan.

Cooperating Teachers’ Competencies:

All cooperating teachers should demonstrate competency in the following:

Lesson planning
Long-term planning
Integration of subject matter
Integration of technology
Classroom management
Development of content knowledge
Working with culturally diverse learners
Working with English language learners
Working with students with disabilities in the regular classroom
Communication skills – written and oral
Collaborating with other teachers and parents

Cooperating Teachers

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