QUESTIONS STUDENT TEACHERS SHOULD ASK

General School Information

·         May I have a floor plan of the building? A tour?

·         What type of community surrounds the school?

·         What is the ethnic/linguistic composition of the students?

·         Is there a school lunch program?

·         What are the facilities that can be used by the teacher and class, such as audiovisual aids, maps, library, computers, Xeroxing?

·         What resource teachers (Nurses, Counselors) are available?

Procedures and Policies

·         What time do classes begin and end? What are the school's hours?

·         What will be my schedule?

·         May I have more information on general school policies?

·         What is the procedure if a teacher cannot be in school?

·         May I have a calendar of the school activities?

·         What extracurricular activities and meetings will I be expected to attend?

·         What extra duties will be required of me?

Classroom

·         What does the cooperating teacher expect of me and what content/skills will I teach?

·         What lesson plan format is acceptable? Are classes grouped/tracked by academic ability?

·         What abilities will my students have?

·         *What grading system is used in this school?

·         How are discipline problems handled?

·         What are the interests and activities of the pupils?

·         Do you expect a student teacher to contact parents?

Personal Concerns

·         What is the proper dress for student teachers?

·         How will I know how well I am doing?

·         What is the professional background of my cooperating teachers?

·         May we establish a scheduled, routine time when we can discuss my performance?