May 6, 2004

Dear Principals and Cooperating Teachers;

Based on policy passed by the Michigan State Legislature, Michigan Technological University has adopted the following guidelines for using student teachers as substitute teachers. Briefly, Michigan Tech’s policy allows student teachers to substitute teach in the classroom in which they are student teaching up to a maximum of 10 days. The complete policy regarding substitute teaching while student teaching is given below.

Michigan Tech allows student teachers to substitute teach as part of their student teaching experience according to the following criteria/guidelines:

1. Districts and supervising teachers must insure that the quality of mentoring provided to student teachers who are allowed to substitute teach is comparable to that required in our traditional student teaching program.
2. The student teacher should not substitute teach more than 3 days in succession.
3. The total number of substitute days shall not exceed 10 days.
4. The student teacher, cooperating teacher, and school administrator/district must approve of the substitute teaching and notify the Michigan Tech Department of Education each time he/she substitute teaches.
5. An accurate record of the dates and experiences must be kept by the school and be available to the university.
6. The substitute teaching must not conflict with a university supervisor’s visit.
7. Student teachers will be available to cover the teacher’s classroom during times when an administrator calls the supervising teacher out of the classroom. This will not be considered substitute teaching by the district.
8. The student teachers will be paid the same as regular substitute teacher and meet the necessary requirements for substitute teaching by the district.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact either

John Uren 487-2460 jturen@mtu.edu

Gerald Parker 487-2460 beaulah@chartermi.net

Sincerely,

John Uren Gerald Parker

MTU Student Teacher Supervisors