Students interested in placement within our district will need to ensure that their college/university contacts our placement coordinator. We do not make placements directly with students.
Osseo Area Schools requires individuals working in the district to have a background check. All student teaching placement offers are contingent on a completed satisfactory background check. Only background checks processed through Osseo Area Schools, within 90 days of assignment, will be accepted. A student teacher who does not receive this clearance is ineligible for a student teaching experience in the school district.
A college/university student, who is placed in the schools to complete an observation or practicum for less than 50 contact hours, will follow the site process for a background check.
It is imperative that student teachers maintain the highest standards of honor, integrity, morality and consideration in their personal behavior. It is the responsibility of each student teacher to be informed and honor all district and school policies. The assigned cooperating teacher and school administrator will recommend resources for review.
Student teaching expectations
Each student teacher brings to the experience a unique combination of teacher characteristics and skills. The student teaching experience provides the teacher candidate with opportunities to analyze, evaluate and modify the teaching practice to maximize professional growth. The student teacher is expected to:
- Submit to a background check by completing a Human Resources background check form.
- Attend the Osseo Area Schools Orientation Session for Student Teachers.
- Read and abide by the policies and procedures as outlined in the assigned school’s handbook and on the school district website.
- Exchange contact information with the cooperating teacher and provide the school secretary with contact information.
- Request a school handbook, seating charts, schedules, floor plans of the building, and other needed materials from the cooperating teacher.
- Conference with the cooperating teacher regarding placement, assignments and requirements.
- Plan lessons consistent with principles learned in education courses. Confer with the cooperating teacher about proposed plans, and allow for sufficient time to make suggested revisions.
- Notify the cooperating teacher in the event of an absence.
- Participate in school-related activities with the cooperating teacher, including faculty meetings, professional development opportunities, parent-teacher conferences and interdisciplinary team meetings.
- Keep the cooperating teacher informed about any unusual incidents that happen when they are out of the classroom.
- Understand that while student teachers are expected to do the lesson planning and teaching as if they were the classroom teacher, the cooperating teacher is officially responsible. Anything student teachers do in the classroom must have the approval of the cooperating teacher. Cooperating teachers have the right and obligation to make decisions they believe are in the best interests of the students. Any decisions the cooperating teacher makes will be final.
- Demonstrate appropriate interactions with students, families and staff at all times.
- Dress appropriately and professionally at all times.
- Maintain reliable attendance and arrive on time.
At the completion of the student teaching experience, the student teacher candidate will complete an evaluation that provides Human Resources feedback on their experience, as we endeavor to continually improve our process.
Additional information
We invite all our student teachers to consider applying for substitute teaching and other positions on our website.
Osseo Area Schools reserves the right to deny a student teaching opportunity to an applicant who is not qualified, for whom there is no teacher candidate position available, or for whom no cooperating teacher is available. We also reserve the right to remove a teacher candidate at any time from the classroom or a district program when deemed to be in the best interests of the teacher candidate, our students, or the school district.
