Supervising student teachers or interns can be both a rewarding and challenging experience! As a supervising teacher, you want to provide an amazing learning opportunity while ensuring your classroom runs smoothly and programs are implemented with fidelity. Giving up some control in your classroom can feel overwhelming, but trust me—it gets easier with practice.
I’ve supervised many student teachers and practicum students throughout my career, and having a supportive and collaborative supervising teacher can make all the difference in their success. If you’re preparing to host your first student teacher, here are my tips for making it a positive learning experience.
Provide a Realistic Teaching Experience
It’s important to offer your student teacher a realistic and complete teaching experience. They should leave your classroom feeling fully prepared to step into their own. One way to achieve this is by giving them full control of the classroom for a short period.
I know, I know! You’re thinking, "What?! I can’t do that. It’s MY classroom,m and I like how I do things."
However, offering this level of responsibility helps student teachers gain confidence and experience. If you’re not ready to provide this level of autonomy, consider waiting until you are before accepting a student teacher
Foster a Collaborative Relationship
The relationship between a student teacher and a supervising teacher should be collaborative. I’ve learned so much from my student teachers and value their fresh ideas and input. My goal is to ensure they never feel like their suggestions aren’t valued.
As a student teacher, I had two vastly different experiences: one where I felt supported and another where I didn’t. It's essential to create a positive experience for student teachers with a collaborative experience. Student teachers should participate in meetings, help write schedules, train paraprofessionals, and more. This approach ensures they feel welcome, valued, and prepared.
Five Key Experiences for Student Teachers
Here are five essential experiences every supervising teacher should provide:
Let them run an IEP meeting.
One of the most beneficial experiences for student teachers is running an IEP meeting. My cooperating teacher allowed me to run several meetings, which took something overwhelming and terrifying and made it doable. If a full IEP meeting isn’t feasible, consider alternatives like parent-teacher conferences, quick IEP reviews, or transition meetings. Practicing these skills in a supportive environment prepares student teachers for the real-world demands of special education.
Let them write an IEP.
Writing IEPs is a critical skill for special education teachers. While student teachers can’t administer standardized tests, they can conduct curriculum-based assessments, identify goal areas, and write IEP goals. Provide feedback and guidance to help them align goals with standards—a skill many new teachers find challenging. Hands-on practice in this area is invaluable.
Let them supervise paraprofessionals.
Supervising other adults is often one of the most challenging aspects of teaching. Give your student teacher the opportunity to take the lead by directing paraprofessionals and peer tutors. Establish clear expectations, such as having staff approach the student teacher first with questions. This practice builds their confidence and problem-solving skills while allowing you to provide constructive feedback.
Let them put a behavior management strategy in place.
Assign your student teacher a specific behavior to address, and let them create and implement an intervention or strategy. This doesn’t have to involve severe behavior issues; even small challenges are great learning opportunities. Allow them the freedom to experiment with their own ideas, giving them practical experience in behavior management.
Let them figure it out!
Step back and allow your student teacher to navigate classroom challenges independently. This hands-on experience is essential for building confidence and problem-solving skills. While you should remain available for support, giving them space to experiment and learn will better prepare them for their future classrooms.
Supervising student teachers is an incredible way to support new educators while growing as a teacher yourself. It’s not always easy, but providing them with real, hands-on experiences is worth it. From running IEP meetings to managing behavior strategies, these moments will stick with them—and you’ll play a key role in shaping their journey as a teacher!
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