Student teachers are often charged with writing lessons. Supervisors should ask questions about lesson planning, as the ability to write effective lessons will be vital to the teachers' career success. The supervisor can ask the student teacher what lesson format he is using, ask him to explain how he moves through the lesson writing process and ask him what topics he is currently writing lessons on. The supervisor may also ask how much the cooperative teacher, or teacher who is overseeing the student teacher, is helping with the lesson-writing process.
One of the biggest challenges student teachers face is becoming accustomed to the schools into which they have been thrust. Supervisors should ask their student teachers how they are integrating. By asking if the student teacher enjoys his current school, the supervisor can better prepare to help the student teacher select a school at which to seek a job post.
Student teachers should get to know the students they are teaching. The supervisor can ask his student teacher what he has done to get to know his students, and should offer suggestions to student teachers who are struggling to feel integrated in the classroom. The supervisor may also want to ask how the student teacher is responding to student needs and adjusting lessons to be optimally effective.
While the supervisor's job is often partially to judge the student teacher's performance, it is also in part to help the student teacher as she moves through this potentially trying experience. To ensure that the supervisor is helping his student teacher succeed, he or she should ask the student teacher how she is enjoying her placement, and should always leave time for the student to express any unique concerns.