Field Placement Office

Cooperating/Host Teachers Information

Teacher candidates could not fulfill the requirements for certification without the assistance and expertise of practicing teachers. Thanks to all the professionals who further the teaching career by mentoring a future colleague. In recognition of your contributions, SUNY Cortland provides Professional Courtesies for Host Schools.

Field Placement

Certification requirements established by the New York State Education Department dictate that each teacher candidate complete 100 hours of fieldwork in classrooms prior to student teaching. At SUNY Cortland, students meet this requirement through fieldwork assignments associated with specific courses. Each course curriculum dictates the expectations for the student during the associated fieldwork placement. General expectations for teacher candidates and host teachers are included in the Pre-Student Teaching Handbook.

Students are required to obtain host teacher signatures to document their field experiences using the 100 Hour Log Sheet. Host teachers are also asked to indicate on the 100 Hour Log Sheet which of the mandated criteria have been met. Students submit completed log sheets to their course instructors.

Student Teaching

Student teaching is the culmination of Cortland’s teacher education program. It is intended to provide the opportunity to put all of the previous field experience and pedagogical instructions into practice. Cooperating teachers not only provide our students with these opportunities, but serve in the vital role of a mentor and provide invaluable feedback.

Guidelines and expectations for both student teachers and cooperating teachers are outlined in the Student Teaching Handbook. Along with regular weekly feedback, the college requests that each cooperating teacher provide an online mid-quarter and final evaluation for their student teacher (STE). Student teaching evaluations are to be submitted during specific time periods.

Each student will be assigned a college supervisor. This supervisor is hired by the student’s department and is the point person during the student teaching experience.

Cooperating teachers are compensated for hosting a student teacher.