Preparing Student Teachers and Beginning Teachers for the Post-teaching Conference

Abstract

Student teachers and beginning teachers in most states are required to receive supervisory visits. These visits are meant to ensure that student teachers and/or beginning teachers are demonstrating effective teaching behaviors and warrant progression to initial certification (or licensure) and/or endorsement as professionals. One of the first questions asked by a supervisor to initiate a dialogue during the post-teaching conference is frequently something like “What did you think of that lesson?” This question opens the door for student teachers and beginning teachers to make an important statement about themselves as thoughtful, focused, and reflective professionals, or as not yet ready to function independently. The purpose of this article is to help new teachers and student teachers prepare for the supervisory visit with particular attention to the post-teaching conference.