The Cooperating Teacher (CT) has a passion for the profession and the desire to mentor the next generation of Hawkeye Teachers! This immersive opportunity helps field experience students hone the professional dispositions that will guide the future decision-making in the classroom. Once placed in a CT’s classroom, the student will gain valuable experience in curriculum and instructional strategies, classroom management, lesson planning, PLCs, and establishing a positive classroom environment.
Why it's Important
Cooperating Teachers are needed to provide students in a field experience a valuable mentorship experience before entering the profession. In this role as a trusted mentor, CTs will help facilitate professional experiences that gradually scaffold and prepare the student teacher for full-time teaching.
If you’re already an experienced educator with at least three years of teaching experience, please consider shaping a Hawkeye Teacher!
Cooperating Teacher Information Field Experience Comparison
| Iowa Teacher Education Required Field Experience | Student Time in the Classroom | CT Can Earn Renewal Credit as Outlined by the State BOEE | CT Earns a Stipend | CT has Evaluation Responsibilities |
| Elementary Math Practicum | 10 visits, 10 hours total | Yes | No | No |
| Elementary Reading Practicum | 1.5-2 hrs/day, 4 days/week, 64 hrs total | Yes | No | Yes - final evaluation and two 3-way conferences (CT, student, supervisor) throughout experience |
| Secondary Practicum (All Areas) | 2-10 hrs/week, variance based on level and subject area | Yes | No | Yes - final evaluation |
| Student Teaching (All Levels) | Follows teacher contract hours (M-F, full time). Placements are either 8 weeks or 16 weeks. | Yes | Yes ($424 for 16-week placement; $212 for 8-week placement) | Yes - midterm and final evaluations and 3-way conferences (CT, student, supervisor) |
Mentoring & Evaluation Resources
The resources provided on this page are designed to support the cooperating teacher and to provide easy access to supervisory materials. Please do not hesitate to contact the Office of Student Field Experiences for additional information or to offer suggestions or requests for additional resources that might be included on this page.
Resources
- Practicum Cooperating Teacher Evaluation Form SAMPLE
- Practicum Guidelines
- Activity Guidelines
- Renewal Unit Explanation and Tracking Worksheet
- UI Tk20 Quick Guide for Field Experiences: Cooperating Teachers
Mentoring Support
Letters of Recommendation
Student Teaching
Contact Us
Elementary (student teaching/practicum) inquires:
Julie Heidger, Director, Student Teaching and Field Experiences
319-335-6395
julie-heidger@uiowa.edu
Secondary (student teaching/practicum) inquires:
Bellinda Assemien, Coordinator, Student Teaching and Field Experiences
319-467-1895
bellinda-assemien@uiowa.edu