Become a Cooperating Teacher for Campus-Conventional Programs

(for Online Programs – DLiTE, FasTrack, and SPED – Please See Below)

Cooperating teachers are essential partners in preparing future educators. By hosting a teacher candidate during a clinical experience, you mentor emerging professionals, model effective teaching practices, and support candidates as they grow in real classroom settings.

Clinical experiences may include:

  • Field Experience
  • Student Teaching
  • Practicum

Field Experience Cooperating Teacher
(Pre-student teaching)

To host a teacher candidate for field experience, you must:

  • Have at least 2 years of teaching experience.
  • Hold a Tier 2 or higher license aligned to the candidate’s licensure area.

Student Teaching or Practicum Cooperating Teacher
(Practicum is typically an 80-hour experience for additional licensure candidates)

To host a teacher candidate for student teaching or practicum, you must:

  • Have at least 3 years of teaching experience as a teacher of record.
  • Hold a Tier 3 or Tier 4 (professional) license aligned to the candidate’s licensure area.
  • Complete professional development in coaching strategies for adult learners.

Free, online (45-minute) training in Coaching Strategies for Adult Learners is available through (training only needs to be completed once and may also qualify for CEUs):

Interested in serving as a Cooperating Teacher?

Contact teaching.clinicals@bemidjistate.edu

PELSB Rule References: Minnesota Administrative Rule 8705.10

Online Program Mentors and Cooperating Teachers

Teacher candidates enrolled in online licensure programs (DLiTE, MAT-FasTrack, and SPED) are supported through a Mentor model during their clinical experiences.

For more information about serving as a Mentor and/or Cooperating Teacher in an online program, please review the program-specific guidance below: