Clinical Educators

The Supervising Team for Clinical Field Experiences: The Clinical Educator

The collaborative partnership between Campbell University and the Local Education Agency (LEA) and the classroom is key to the success of our students becoming successful professional educators. The Clinical Field Experience Supervising Team consists of the clinical educator, the University Supervisor, the school principal, and other school and university personnel involved in the entire teacher education program. Through team meetings, each member of the team may assist in analyzing the candidate’s potential and then recommend experiences for him/her. Other teachers in the building may become involved in the supervision of the candidates as they allow him/her to work in or visit their classrooms and discuss the results of the visit. Each member of the supervising team has a unique contribution to make as a specific program is developed for each student teacher.

For the Clinical Teacher

The Clinical Teacher is one of the most critical persons involved in the training of the future professional educator. You allow this student into your classroom to work closely with you to learn the skills, professional dispositions, and aspects of "teaching." It is through your lens that the aspiring educator views their future classroom. It is critical that sufficient supports be in place for the clinical educator so that they feel comfortable in this important role.

Guidelines For Clinical Educators
The following list will provide an overview of the expectations of a clinical teacher.

Prepare the class for a “second teacher.”
Make the candidate feel a part of the school by meeting the principal, other teachers, and staff members.
Explain the procedure for signing in each day and the requirement for name badges.
Provide him/her with a desk, schedule, school handbooks, textbooks, and other instructional materials and services.
Acquaint him/her with the school policies regarding discipline, and have an agreement for handling difficult situations.
Inform the candidate of routines including records, reports, special activities, support services, school regulations, and procedures for emergency situations, using the library or instructional resources center and obtaining supplies.
Conduct and participate in conferences with the candidate and/or university supervisor as appropriate, and provide documentation.
Share with him/her the long-range planning for the entire semester.
Evaluate the candidate within the Tk20 Online System as required by School of Education;
Remember that the person assigned is “learning” to teach; evaluations should be based on the level of competence realistically expected of a person who is learning to practice the profession.
Accept him/her as a co-teacher and give him/her a sense of security in the classroom.
Arrange for observation of other teachers in his/her own and other grade levels.
Gradually lead him/her into full-time teaching by permitting him/her to assume partial and varied roles.
Encourage his/her attendance at faculty, in-service, P.T.A., or other meetings.
Check and provide guidance for lesson plans with the candidate prior to teaching.
Give him/her constructive help and guidance in making usable lesson plans.
Encourage him/her to recognize special needs and show an interest in the progress of each individual student.
Provide opportunities for him/her to gain experiences through participation in extra-class activities (field trips, play, ball games) as well as non-instructional duties (bus duty, etc.).
Provide adequate time for regular conferences.
Encourage the candidate to ask questions.
Utilize conferences to help the candidate analyze his/her teaching behavior in terms of sound principles of learning.
Guide the candidate in self-evaluation and help develop ways for improvement.
Permit him/her to participate in parent-teacher conferences.
Give sincere praise and recognition when deserved.
Arrange for conferences with university supervisors.
Provide input as the candidate develops the Electronic binder.
Complete all forms required for documentation of the student teaching experience for the student teacher.
Complete the Final Evaluation within the Tk20 electronic system and review it with the candidate and the university supervisor.
Verify log of hours by signature.

Helpful Tips

PLEASE CHECK EMAIL DAILY and respond within 24 hours for possible emails from university and/or student
Observe the candidate often, providing feedback on critical areas of need and positive feedback on areas of strength or improvements observed
Observations should be spaced accordingly to determine if student is making professional growth
Provide Short Field/Practicum Candidate/Student Teacher with:
1. Your preferred contact information and how they should contact you in cases of emergency or sickness, etc.
2. Lesson Plan format the student will be using during the practicum/student teaching experience
3. Detailed Schedule in order that you may plan visits accordingly
Discuss with the University Supervisor (Practicum/Student Teaching Field Experiences) the following information:
Your contact information (How can they reach you for emergencies, concerns, general questions?)
How would they like for the university supervisor to “enter” the classroom when observing the candidate? Where do you want them to sit?
Questions you may have concerning the Guidelines for both the university supervisor and you.
Evaluation Process
It is critically important that particular attention be paid to each component of the evaluation instrument.
1. Classroom Management
2. Professionalism
3. Communication Skills (students and adults)
4. Content Knowledge
5. Instructional Planning and Delivery
6. Understanding Current Trends within the schools (Data Analysis, Common Core, Essential Standards, etc.)
Midterm and Final for Practicum and Student Teachers
Try to collaborate a meeting between clinical teacher, student and yourself in order to discuss evaluations
Administrivia
1. Submit all evaluations (short field professional ethics evaluation; midterm/final for practicum and student teachers) within Tk20. (You will receive an email with a link for access to TK20. You do not get an id and password, only the link in the email. For access issues contact our coordinator Ms. Lisa Wood, lwood@campbell.edu)
2. In instances of practicum candidate/student teacher issues, touch base with university supervisor to discuss appropriate steps.
OFTEN check time logs, lesson plans, and for candidate correspondence