Introduce yourself to your cooperating teacher before the start of your placement. Ask if you could meet with him after school or during his planning period to introduce yourself and to learn about his classes.
Gather materials in advance related to what you'll be teaching. Before the initial visit or shortly thereafter, ask your cooperating teacher to provide you with copies or materials related to what you will be teaching during your placement. Familiarize yourself with this material as best as you can. Also, ask your teacher to give you a list of students or seating charts, so you can become familiar with their names.
Prepare the material far in advance. As soon as you know what material you will be expected to cover, begin preparing your lessons. Share your planned lessons with your cooperating teacher far in advance of the required deadline. This will allow you to revise and adjust the material as needed.
Get to know your students. Spend the first few weeks of your placement, while you are still observing, learning their names, behaviors and attitudes. This will help you a great deal when you take over the class.
Arrive early, or at least on time. From the first day of your placement, you are expected to act as a professional teacher. Teachers are expected to be on time every day, so be sure to be timely. If your cooperating teacher arrives earlier than the required start time, so should you, unless, of course, she tells you otherwise.
Commit to your placement. Student teaching is a full-time, albeit usually unpaid, job. This means that you must commit to the job, even if you have to clear your social calendar. This does not mean that you should never relax or spend time with your friends. However, you must not to let outside hobbies or social activities distract you.
Offer help without prompting. Do not wait for your cooperating teacher to give you something to do. Again, show initiative by asking what you could do to help. Most full-time teachers are overwhelmed with work. Whatever assistance you could provide would most likely be greatly appreciated.
Participate in all school activities. Plan on attending all school functions, including dances, parades, pep rallies and even, if possible, a few sporting events. Also, attend as many professional in-service days and training sessions as you can. This proves that you are interested in your students, as well as a a reliable professional colleague.
Participate in required seminars at your college or university. While you are student teaching, do not neglect the classes or seminars you are required to attend at your college. These are usually factored into your student teaching grade, and skipping them (no matter how tired you are), can be detrimental to earning your teaching degree.
Accept constructive criticism. Learn from your mistakes. It typically takes a few years for full-time teachers to find their stride. Don't expect everything to be perfect right away.