Teacher Credential Candidate Support

Teacher credential candidates are “learning to teach”. Therefore, while it is important to have high expectations, candidates must be evaluated as students and not compared to experienced and/or “seasoned” professionals. Often times, a teacher credential candidate may have experience as a classroom assistant or even as a substitute teacher. While such candidates may demonstrate capabilities and skills beyond a novice educator, they are nonetheless, students. That is, such teacher credential candidates have seldom, if ever, had the sole responsibility of managing and sustaining an effective instructional program for an extended period of time. Therefore, a key skill for a teacher credential candidate to acquire is the ability to develop and implement short and long range lesson plans. Cooperating teachers and University supervisors will evaluate candidates on their teaching abilities, as they relate to planning and meeting the goals and objectives of their lessons.