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Roles, Responsibilities, and Expectations of the University Field Supervisor

  • The University Field Supervisor (UNT FS) is a liaison between the placement site and the Clinical Practice Office.
  • The UNT FS is responsible for ensuring clarity of expectations during clinical placement for both the Clinical Teacher and the Cooperating Teacher.
  • The UNT FS is the instructor of record for the clinical teaching or internship course/s, assigns the final grade of P/NP, and makes a recommendation for certification decision at the end of the semester.
  • Helps to ensure timely submission of all required assessments and documentation before or on the due date.

 

Immediate and Ongoing Responsibilities:

  1. Conduct a meeting with your clinical teachers immediately following the UNT Clinical Teacher Orientation:
    1. Explain, clarify, and review your expectations and university expectations for clinical teachers.
    2. Review the Clinical Teaching Handbook, assignment expectations, due dates, and establish informal and formal communication protocols.
    3. Review, discuss, and answer questions about the Code of Ethics and Standard Practices for Texas Educators which your students have agreed to and signed.
  2. Schedule a face-to-face or virtual meeting during the first week of the candidate's placement:
    1.  Introduce yourself to the cooperating teacher/s and establish communication preferences.
    2. Review, explain, and answer any questions about the cooperating teacher's role and responsibilities contained in the Cooperating Teacher Handbook.
    3. Point out the Contact Information provided in the Cooperating Teacher Handbook and the URL for the Educator Preparation website.
    4. Understand and be able to explain all policies, expectations, and administrative tasks of the clinical teaching experience.
    5. Request information about relevant campus and district policies, protocols, and guidelines for campus visitors, parking, and emergency situations.
    6. Schedule the first T-TESS Formal Evaluation.
  3. Formally observe, assess, and evaluate each clinical teacher according to UNT EPP Guidelines a minimum of 3 times using the T-TESS Formal Evaluation and the POP (Pre-observation, Observation, and Post-Observation Conference) Cycle structure.
  4. Meet (virtually or in-person) with the cooperating teacher between each T-TESS observation and otherwise as needed. This meeting should not be held during the post-observation conference which is for the UNT FS and candidate only.

 

Responsibility to the Cooperating Teacher/Host Campus

  1. Learn and follow all school procedures and district guidelines regarding visitors on each campus. (Parking, entry to the building, exit from the building, sign-in, sign-out, identification requirements, etc.)
  2. Communicate frequently with the cooperating teacher about the clinical teacher's progress and address any concerns immediately.
  3. Collaborate with the cooperating teacher to support, enhance, and evaluate all aspects of the clinical teaching experience.
  4. Develop a collaborative approach with campus administrators to support the clinical teaching experience.

 

Responsibility to UNT/The Clinical Practice Office

  1. Go to http://my.unt.edu to verify attendance, approve, and submit the UNT Audit Roll (usually the 12th class day).
  2. Timely complete all required forms, assessments, and formal evaluations.
  3. Communicate regularly with the Director of Clinical Practice about areas of concern and/or to make suggestions for programmatic changes.
  4. If there is no progress between the first and second Formal Evaluations, have a discussion with the Director of Clinical Practice about  a growth plan.
  5. Continue professional development through attendance and participation in supervisor meetings each semester.
  6. Serve as a mentor to a new field supervisor, if requested.
  7. Go to http://my.UNT.edu to complete, approve, and submit final grades for your clinical teachers before or by the deadline.
  8. Complete the contact log to document your informal support of your student.

Ways to Support your Candidate:

  • Model professional standards of communication and interaction for and with your clinical teachers.
  • Share your relevant expertise and experience about what a beginning teacher should know, understand, and be able to do.
  • Provide guidance and support both verbally and in writing/informally and formally to enhance the growth and development of your clinical teachers as they transition from their role as student to that of a beginning teacher.
  • Share helpful resources such as professional materials, professional organizations, teaching websites, etc. Some field supervisors choose to create a dedicated Facebook page for their clinical teachers.
  • Conduct observations at a variety of times to include a range of classroom contexts/subjects which the clinical teacher is responsible for teaching.
  • Guide the clinical teacher's understanding of the importance of self-assessment and reflection on practice to his/her/their continuous improvement as an educator. Think-Alouds, journals, and self-questioning are helpful vehicles for building this critical skill.
  • Complete recommendation letters for clinical teachers who are applying for teaching positions.