Selection of Student Teaching Centers and Cooperating Teachers in Agriculture and Expectations of Teacher Educators Regarding These Components of a Teacher Education Program: A National Study

The student teaching experience serves as a culmination of the teacher education process. It is a time for individuals preparing for a career in education to apply the theories and methods that they have studied during their teacher preparation program. The student teaching center and the supervising (cooperating) teacher are the most important ingredients in the student teaching experience. These components are essential if student teaching is to be a meaningful activity. Kuehl (1984) stated that: “Student teaching is a complex learning experience that requires careful supervision. Cooperating teachers must create a sustaining environment that will facilitate maximum development of student teachers” (p. 2). However, this may not always be the case. Kuehl warned, “Despite its importance, there is no assurance that student teaching is a carefully controlled and supervised experience” (p. 1).