Teacher Candidate Responsibilities

Application for Student Teaching

Fall student teaching applications are due by February 1 and spring applications are due by August 1. The application works best with Google Chrome or Fire Fox. To apply for student teaching go to my.missouristate.edu > Teacher Education Resources card/box > Student Teaching Application. Fill out the application. If it does not work, refresh and try again. If problems persist, contact PES@MissouriState.edu or 417-836-8772. Please review all senior requirements by reviewing the Education Senior Checklist.

Agreement to School District Policies

It is extremely important that teacher candidates understand the policies of the school/district in which they are placed for student teaching. Policies vary by district; therefore, evidence is needed to ensure teacher candidates are aware of school/district policies. The Agreement to School District Policies online agreement is available through My Missouri State > Student > My Teacher Education > Online Agreements > Agreement to School District Policies. Teacher candidates must complete the Agreement to School District Policies online agreement when the student teaching placement is received.

Below is the acknowledgement wording on “Agreement to School District Policies” that is accessible via My Missouri State:

"By checking this box, I acknowledge that I have contacted my cooperating teacher to obtain access to the school district policies and have read, understand, and agree to abide by all policies of the school district in which I have been placed. I understand and acknowledge that if, at any time, I have questions about any provision of the school district policies, it is my responsibility to follow up with my cooperating teacher and/or school principal to ensure that I fully understand my responsibilities and obligations under the school district policies.

Please mark the checkbox below to confirm acknowledgement and to document completion in your My Missouri State Test Scores."

Teaching Responsibilities

The teacher candidate and cooperating teacher, in consultation with the university supervisor, will meet to determine the transition of duties. Every teacher candidate should have an opportunity to accumulate 7-8 hours per day for one full MSU semester based on the student teaching placement. When a teacher candidate is not teaching, other activities could include observation of classrooms, advancement of skills in technology, familiarity of school routines, proficient knowledge of library media center resources, and tutoring individuals as directed by the cooperating teacher.

Missouri Educator Evaluation System (MEES)

The Missouri Educator Evaluation System (MEES) Teacher Candidate Assessment is the performance assessment and will be completed by the cooperating teacher and university supervisor.

The teacher candidate must obtain a combined (Cooperating Teacher and University Supervisor) summative MEES score of 42 in order to meet DESE certification requirements.  Teacher candidates are required to obtain the passing score set by DESE at the time of their certification.

Co-Teaching

Co-teaching is defined as two teachers working together with groups of students and sharing the planning, organization, delivery and assessment of instruction and physical space (Bacharach, Heck & Dank, 2004). The cooperating teacher and teacher candidate are both actively involved and engaged in all aspects of curriculum, instruction, assessment, and all other assigned duties. Co-teaching instruction may be counted toward teaching hours as determined by the student teacher candidate’s program. Some of Missouri State University’s placement districts have adopted the co-teaching model.

Attendance Policy

Teacher candidates are required to follow university policy during their student teaching experience. Throughout the semester, required program meetings may be held and it is the student’s responsibility to get these dates from their program before making other plans for their placement district’s breaks. The teacher candidate is required to follow the same schedule and attendance standards as their cooperating teacher and/or school policy for the duration of the placement.  

Student teaching begins on the first day of MSU classes and ends on the last day of MSU classes each semester.  The district may request that the student teacher begins earlier. If the student teacher begins before the first  day of MSU classes, they are still required to continue student teaching until the last day of MSU classes.

To receive full credit for student teaching, the teacher candidate must be present the entire semester and accumulate 7-8 hours per day for one full MSU semester. In addition to the daily responsibilities, the teacher candidate will attend or participate in after-school or evening activities as deemed appropriate by the cooperating teacher or administration. 

If at any time, the teacher candidate finds it necessary to be absent for illness or emergency, they must notify the cooperating teacher or principal and the university supervisor.  

If an extended absence is necessary for any reason, the teacher candidate must get approval from their program coordinator and make arrangements in advance with the cooperating teacher and university supervisor.  Absences may require an extension of the total student teaching time.   

Teacher candidates are to remain in their placement until the last day of classes at Missouri State University unless otherwise determined by their program.  

The teacher candidate will acknowledge the attendance policy by completing and signing the Student Teaching Attendance Contract. 

The Teacher Candidate as a Substitute

The University does not wish to invoke blanket policies specifying exactly what types of experiences should and should not be included in supervised teaching. Substituting, temporary or extended, should preferably occur only in the classroom to which the teacher candidate is assigned; however, some school districts and programs do not allow teacher candidates to substitute. Exceptions will be addressed by the teacher candidate’s program coordinator and department.

Professional Dispositions

Refer to Disposition Traits Self-Assessment.

Physical Appearance

The teacher candidate must dress in accordance with the standards of the school assigned. Professional appearance is important, and additional department policies and placement site policies may apply.

Social Networking

Pursuant to the policies in many districts, student teacher candidates are not allowed to “friend” students on social networks.

If the teacher candidate participates in social networking, careful review of the content is highly recommended before student teaching, removing anything questionable. Inappropriate content can negatively affect both the student teaching placement and future employment. Teacher candidates should be reminded that popular social networking is accessible to the public, which includes students, parents, teachers, administrators, and the community. As college students, it may be acceptable to share personal information among peers, however this information may be detrimental to a future career when viewed by the general public. It is inappropriate to share personal information with students. Teacher candidates’ use of electronic devices must adhere to the policies of the placement district.

Professionalism

The teacher candidate is to maintain a professional distance from the student while in the classroom and out of the classroom, including any electronic communications. While an appropriate, caring attitude is encouraged, the teacher candidate is expected to exercise good judgment at all times and to execute duties and responsibilities to ensure the health, safety, and general well-being of all students. The teacher candidate is held to a high standard, and all actions represent not only the school district, but also Missouri State University.