Generally lasting one semester, the student teaching experience provides the opportunity to put theory into practice. During this experience, the pre-service teacher immerses themselves into the profession of teaching through the active development of lesson plans, managing classroom activities, assessing student learning, and reflecting on professional practice. After observing the mentor for several days or weeks, the pre-service teacher gradually takes on responsibility of creating lessons and managing the classroom.
The student teaching experience allows new teachers to develop their own styles. Developing lessons and assessing student learning will put theoretical teaching knowledge into practice. Managing the classroom and working with students of various backgrounds and abilities will also allow the pre-service teacher to develop the confidence to guide student achievement. Pre-service teachers will have an opportunity to immerse themselves in school culture by interacting with teachers, administrators and parents. Taking an active role in daily procedures such as dismissal, drills, assemblies and field trips will enhance understanding of school procedures.
During the student teaching period, a mentor plays a key role in developing the pre-service teacher’s skills in key areas such as lesson planning and preparation, classroom management and professional responsibility. As a mentor observes the pre-service teacher, she has the opportunity to reflect on her own practice and to learn new teaching innovations introduced by the student teacher. Mentor teachers will have more opportunities to work one-on-one with students and gain great insight by seeing their students from a different perspective. In addition, mentors gain recognition and praise for their service to the profession; in some states, they also receive credit for professional development and improved performance evaluations.
Good teacher preparation programs with strong mentoring experiences ultimately will reduce the number of overwhelmed and underprepared teachers flowing into the teacher pool. Hosting student teachers allows districts a unique opportunity for previewing qualified candidates for future openings. According to the New Jersey Department of Education, hosting pre-service teachers adds classroom capacity and increases the effectiveness of the classroom teacher, therefore increasing student achievement.