HOST Program
Helping Our Student Teachers
What are the qualifications for hosting a student teacher?
- At least 5 years of exemplary teaching experience
- Recommended by principal
What characteristics do effective host teachers demonstrate?
- Interest in professional leadership
- Willingness to set aside time to be part of a student teacher's development
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Open-minded with a positive perspective about the teaching profession
- Possess and practice content knowledge and best practice strategies
- Work well with adults and have a genuine concern for others' growth
- Interest in developing strong mentoring skills through participation in mentor trainings and seminars
How are student teachers placed?
Principals determine which teachers to recommend as host teachers when they are deciding whether to sponsor student teachers in their buildings. Student teachers are not to contact principals or teachers directly to make their own arrangements. The ASD Student Teacher Placement Team coordinates the placements between all of the participating universities and the school district. After the student teaching placements are finalized, host teachers and student teachers are notified with all pertinent information.
Which universities request student teacher placements with the ASD?
The ASD receives student teaching applications from local universities, the statewide system, and universities outside the state of Alaska. Requests continue to increase each year, and host teachers are needed in many areas: PreK-12 classroom teachers, music, art, PE, counselors, and special education.
How long are student teacher placements?
As a result of the many participating universities, student teacher guidelines vary greatly. University student teaching range from 11 week to full year placements.
What kind of support does ASD provide host teachers?
ASD expects host teachers to have a strong interest in professional leadership and to be committed to assisting with a student teacher's professional development. To that end, ASD offers two levels of optional support which encourage the development of strong mentoring skills and collegial collaboration.
1. AEA/ASD Mentoring Program
• The AEA/ASD Mentoring Program website lists requirements, qualifications, benefits and more. Go to the Certificated Professional Supports website. »
• Upon application approval, you will be invited to attend Mentor Communication Skills, a one-credit class.
2. HOST Teacher Seminar
• Sign up on MyLearningPlan near the beginning of fall or spring semester.
• Topics include the host teacher's role, the student teacher's stages of growth and basic mentoring skills.
What kind of support do universities provide host teachers?
Many universities wish to thank host teachers for their commitment to training preservice teachers and offer honorariums. Sometimes these are small stipends or tuition waivers. UAA and APU each sponsor an orientation for host teachers, student teachers, and clinical faculty supervisors at the beginning of internships. All universities are required to provide local clinical supervisors who serve as the student teachers' main evaluators. They are valuable university liaisons who support the communication process.
Participating universities provide student teacher handbooks to principals and host teachers, which include timelines and expectations.
How can a host teacher prepare for the arrival of a student teacher?
After student teaching placements have been finalized, student teachers are directed to make arrangements to meet their host teacher prior to their start date. Many student teachers are interested in observing so they can familiarize themselves with the classroom community. Student teachers are excited but nervous. They appreciate receiving copies of the curriculum and school procedures for advance planning. Closer to their start date, the university's clinical faculty will be in touch with the host teacher and the principal. |
