Cooperating Teacher Resources
The Educator CAFÉ collaborates with campus and district administrators to identify mentor teachers (what we call "Cooperating Teachers") for our Clinical Teaching teacher candidates. These seasoned educators are experienced in the classroom, they have three (3) or more years of experience, they are certified in the same certification class as that being sought by the teacher candidate, and they have a record of success in positively affecting student achievement. The Cooperating Teacher plays a vital role in the development of the pre-service teacher candidate.
To all of our Cooperating Teachers:
On behalf of the College of Education & Human Development and the Educator CAFE, thank you for mentoring our Clinical Teachers!
Please read below about the requirements and resources for Cooperating Teacher training.
Cooperating Teacher Resources and Training Requirements
It is required that all Cooperating Teachers receive training to ensure an understanding of their role in supporting and assessing the clinical teacher. TAC 228.2(14)
1. Cooperating Teacher Handbook. Read the entire Handbook, review it with your Clinical Teacher, and refer to it often. The Handbook provides guidelines, policies, requirements, roles, and responsibilities of the Cooperating Teacher, the Clinical Teacher, and the Educator CAFE.
2. Cooperating Teacher Training Video. Watch the training video with your Clinical Teacher. The video is found below, on this webpage.
3. Affidavit of Training. Print and sign the Training Affidavit. This certifies that you and the Clinical Teacher have reviewed the Handbook and watched the training video.
4. Field Supervisor as a Resource. Questions, comments, concerns, and kudos should be communicated and directed to the Clinical Teacher's university Field Supervisor. Be sure that you have exchanged contact information with the Field Supervisor and always make a point to chat when the Field Supervisor is in the classroom.
5. Fitness to Teach Standards. All of our teacher candidates are expected to follow the College's Fitness to Teach Standards. The standards include a demonstration of emotional and mental fitness in candidates’ interaction with others as well as conformance with the code of professional educator ethics of the state of Texas. Click here to view the Fitness to Teach Standards.
Candidates may have a Fitness to Teach Report created if any of the standards are violated. The Fitness to Teach reporting portal is available to all persons who are directly involved in the training and mentoring of preservice teachers who are attending Texas A&M University-San Antonio. Persons who have concerns about a preservice teacher whom they are directly training or mentoring should complete a Fitness to Teach form by clicking the link below.
Candidates will be notified if a Fitness to Teach report is being created and will be sent a completed form via DocuSign to sign and date.
Link to Fitness to Teach reporting portal.
6. Additional Information and/or Guidance. Feel free to contact the Educator CAFE at any time. The Director of the Educator CAFE is Dr. Erica Villarreal, evillarreal@tamusa.edu. Click here for a full listing of the Educator CAFE Faculty and Staff.
Thank you again for serving our students, our College, our University, and our Community as a Cooperating Teacher.
Cooperating Teacher Training Video
