Supervising Clinical Experience Teacher Candidates The two (2) observations – minimum – must be completed during the semester. The first observation should take place within the first four weeks of the clinical experience and the second observation should be conducted within the last three weeks of the experience. More observations may be required based upon the first observation. The Clinical Experience Final Report must be completed according to the schedule for the type of placement for the candidate. The clinical experience continues to grow in importance in teacher education programs in order to: 1. Give the teacher candidate first-hand experience with children and youth, and with the operation of the public schools. 2. Enable the teacher candidate, at the end of the clinical experience, to analyze self-behavior and the nature of teaching, in order to make a wise career decision. 3. Enable the university to advise teacher candidates about continuing in the teacher preparation program, based on oral and written reports. THE CLINICAL SUPERVISOR'S RESPONSIBILITIESClinical Supervisors should: Visit the school or center to hold a triad meeting. Review and provide feedback on lessons to be observed. All lesson plans should be completed using the WP lesson plan format. Observe clinical experience at least two lessons. Conduct post-observation conferences with the teacher candidate (and clinical educator if possible). Communicate regularly with the clinical educator (and principal, department head, or supervisor as needed). Mentor clinical experience teacher candidates, and read and provide feedback on weekly journals. Sit in on a methods class. Make additional visits as necessary. Act as a liaison between the teacher candidate, cooperating teacher and College of Education. Complete observation reports and final reports in Chalk and Wire. Attend Supervisor Meetings at the beginning and end of each semester. Participate in PACE norming exercise each year. Evaluation and Reporting Encourage the teacher candidate to discuss any problems directly with the clinical educator. Give the student your home phone number and/or office number so that he or she may contact you when necessary. The emphasis should be placed on your potential helpfulness rather than your duty to give a grade. Document strengths, weaknesses and concerns in writing, being very specific. If a teacher candidate is likely to fail the experience, has been absent more than once, or needs additional counseling, report this to the Office of Field Experiences immediately. Submit your final report to the Office of Field Experiences using Chalk and Wire by the last day of the clinical experience. A complete, honest, and full report will assist the teacher candidate and the university in decisions about the future. Submit your observations as conducted, Interim and Final Reports via Chalk & Wire. Review the total report with your teacher candidate. Check with the Office of Field Experiences for the due dates. If a student is having serious problems that might lead to failure, notify the Office of Field Experiences at once so that appropriate action may be taken. A Special Case Report should be completed. Remember that your focus as a clinical supervisor is to help your teacher candidate rather than merely report problems or the absence of them. To this end, conferences are in order after each visit where guidance is given, and both strong and weak points should be emphasized. A common observation done with the clinical educator will be conducted at least once during the semester to ensure both the clinical educator and clinical supervisor are “seeing” the same things. Your final report is intended to be a comprehensive and fair document that is placed in the student's file. It is imperative that the clinical educator's point of view be taken into consideration in the preparation of your final report. Your interim and final evaluations should be comparable to the clinical educator’s evaluations. You will record a grade of Pass or Fail on the final report. All assessments – interim and final reports - will be submitted using Chalk and Wire, the online assessment tools program adopted by the College of Education. Roles of Clinical Supervisors Clinical Experience
