Methods Checklist

Print this page and check each item as it is completed during professional year.

Required Items (there may be additional program-specific requirements.)

◻ Submit Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation (BCI&I) background check (fingerprinting) and/or FBI results to schools requiring documentation.

◻ Review attendance policy in Handbook.  Notify the school, your Classroom Mentor Teacher (CMT), your University Mentor (UM), and Program Coordinator (PC) of unavoidable tardiness or absence prior to the beginning of the school day.  Obtain necessary phone numbers at the start of your student teaching semester.

◻ Provide your UM with an accurate daily teaching schedule. Update regularly.  Notify your UM of any changes in your schedule due to field trips, etc.

◻ Work with your CMT to develop a timeline for assuming planning and teaching responsibilities in accord with the Co-Teaching Model.

◻ Become acquainted with the school building, the resources available to teachers, and procedures, policies and rules.  Review both the district Student/Parent Handbook and the Teacher Handbook.

◻ Ask to be introduced to building level personnel and other teachers.

◻ Submit lesson plans for approval well in advance of implementation, as agreed upon with CMT.

◻ Follow the assigned school regulations regarding calendar, attendance, arrival and departure times as these apply to the regular CMT.

◻ Strictly adhere to the communication protocol for problem resolution

◻ Review/learn existing classroom management plan.  Discuss particulars with CMT.

◻ Demonstrate initiative and creativity by suggesting new ideas, resources and activities for lesson preparation.

◻ Be reflective about your professional practice. Accept and implement constructive criticism.

◻ Attend all staff meetings, parent conferences and in-service days/activities.

◻ Interact with all members of the school community in a professional and courteous manner.

◻ Demonstrate a willingness to learn and grow as a professional.

◻ Return all teaching materials to CMT.

◻ Complete items for your edTPA and professional portfolio (as required by program area.)

Optional Items

◻ Attend a building level or district curriculum or technology meeting.

◻ Attend at least one parent-teacher organization activity.

◻ Attend a meeting of the building crisis response team.

◻ Attend an intervention assistance team meeting (where permitted).

Caution!

Why a Teacher Candidate in Methods cannot be left alone with students:

Please note that while it may be tempting and expedient to leave a methods teacher candidate--especially a highly competent one--in charge of the classroom while the classroom mentor attends to other business in the building, it is, according to the state of Ohio, illegal. Likewise, assigning a methods teacher candidate to cafeteria duty, recess duty, etc., without the direct presence and supervision of a licensed teacher or administrator is also illegal. While methods teacher candidates may participate in these activities, and, in fact, are encouraged to do so, they must be accompanied by another school staff member.