PACE - LCSC Education Division - Lewis-Clark State College

Prior to the intern teaching her/his own lesson:• The intern and OSTE should plan the lesson together.• The intern should be given help specifying the learning objectives, activities, andassessment.• The intern should prepare for the lesson securing necessary materials in advance. The OSTE should observe the intern teach the lesson. The intern and OSTE should follow up with an evaluation conference even if brief.It is important not to make too many assumptions regarding the intern’s beginning knowledgeand skills. Some interns are ready and able to jump into full responsibility for a class the firstweek. Others simply need more warm-up time. OSTE’s will find themselves adjusting to thedifferent needs and abilities of their interns just as they do to the students in their classes. If,however, the intern is not taking hold as the OSTE think s/he should be, please let the collegesupervisor know. Weaknesses need to be discussed openly among the intern, OSTE, and PACEProgram Coordinator or College Supervisor so they can be identified, worked on, andimprovement demonstrated.The PACE Coordinator is the third member of the team and is as supportive of the intern as isthe OSTE. S/he serves as facilitator and a second source of evaluation for the intern, so pleasedo not hesitate to call the college supervisor between visits if necessary. College supervisors willdo frequent observations and conferences during the internship. However, it is the OSTEfeedback that is going to be most important to the intern because the OSTE represents “thereal world.” Interns need praise when they deserve it, just as they need clear discussion andsuggestion in areas in which they need to improve.We believe that the longer an intern is able to operate as a full time member of the teaching team,the better. The overall goal of Lewis-Clark State College’s Internship Program is to provide achance for the intern to observe, practice, and finally to demonstrate the role of an effectiveclassroom teacher.Alternating Responsibilities During the Second SemesterThe intern and OSTE should operate as a functioning instructional team, especially during thesecond semester. If there is one subject preparation, then the OSTE and the intern can alternatein taking the lead for the planning, delivery, and assessment of instruction. Toward thebeginning of the second semester the intern might take the lead for only a few days or a weekworking with material from a unit that the OSTE has already planned. The OSTE will leave theintern alone in the classroom for short periods of time so the intern can gain confidence in his/herclassroom management skills. Later the intern can take the lead for longer periods of time beinggiven responsibility for the complete planning, delivery, and assessment of an entire unit or two.The OSTE will probably decide to leave the intern alone for several days at a time.As the intern approaches the end of the internship experience, s/he should be given a decreasedinstructional role. The intern will be preparing for the review of his/her portfolio, the exitconference, and completing resumes, job applications, and documents for teacher certification.46