Giving Compass' Take:

· To improve current student teaching methods, Education Dive explains that student leaders need guidance from experienced teachers and support from the district to succeed. In addition, positive changes to this pipeline will not only benefit the student, but also teachers and the school district. 

· What programs are offered as preparation for student teaching positions? What is the best way to support and prepare student teachers? 

· Find out why good mentors are crucial in order to teach the skills needed for effective student-teachers.

Three recent studies indicate a connection between the quality of those who mentor student teachers and the quality of educators that those students become. Improving the student teaching experience by recruiting high-quality teachers and paying them for their expertise and effort seems like it will pay off in the long run. Student teachers who are well-prepared and have effective mentors are more likely to remain in the teaching profession and to become teacher leaders themselves.

Giving teachers the opportunity to develop and use their leadership skills while earning more money is also emerging as an effective concept. The Opportunity Culture approach places more experienced and effective teachers in a role that mentors less effective teachers and pays them more money for the effort. In the past, high-quality teachers were often promoted to leadership roles in central offices, effectively removing them from daily contact with students. However, Opportunity Culture allows them to stay in the classroom, where they can have the greatest impact while still mentoring teachers.

Read the full article about improving student teaching methods by Amelia Harper at Education Dive.