• Distinguish between types of clinical experiences. Make certain you understand the difference between clinical observations and clinical interactions, both of which are forms of clinical experiences. Clinical interactions will be the basis upon which your cooperating teacher will make a recommendation on your admission to professional studies. Clinical observations generally will have very little impact on that decision.

• Give priority to clinical interactions. Your cooperating teacher's recommendation about whether or not you should be admitted to Professional Studies will bear primarily on clinical interactions. Do these first to the greatest extent possible. Note that during the first grading period you must submit 5-6 clinical interactions and only 1-2 clinical observations. The numbers are reversed at the end of the last grading period.

• Cluster your clinical observations. It is often difficult to observe what you are looking for during any particular class. It is best to observe your cooperating teacher for a 3-4 hour stretch at a time, keeping in mind 3 or 4 clinical observations. Over the course of several classes you will probably observe what you are looking for.

• Know your assignment. Each week in this course you will receive specific instructions for a clinical experience to be completed by the next class period. Each school assignment will be based upon experiences in the weekly seminar.

• Know something about the cooperating teacher. Each student will receive information sheets about all cooperating teachers that will be most valuable in planning your school visits. These sheets will inform the clinical experience student about teacher name, school, contact information, preferences for visit, parking information, check-information, class schedule, and the like.

• Speak with the cooperating teacher by phone prior to first visit. Before beginning clinical experience visits, some teachers request that you contact them by phone. If this is the case as indicated on the teacher information sheet, then be certain to do so.

• Never call a teacher expecting that teacher to return your phone call. Teachers are very busy people and don’t want to spend time on the phone chasing down students. If you can’t reach a teacher, leave a voice mail message indicating that you will call back. Don’t leave your name and number expecting the teacher to try to get in contact with you. If you don’t get through at first, keep trying. It’s the students’ responsibility to contact teachers, not visa versa.

• Wear your university ID in an appropriate holder. University policy requires that clinical students wear name tags when at University High School. Regardless of the school, this is a good policy. Please make a point of wearing your name tag during all clinical visits.

• Check in at school office or other designated site upon arrival at school. State law requires that visits to public schools be prefaced by a check in with appropriate school officials. When checking in at BHS, the appropriate person is the science division secretary. When in other schools, its generally the main office secretary. When Check in at the office is not required at University High School so long as the student wears his or her name tag in a prominent fashion.

• Obtain and display a parking permit if needed. Some schools require that clinical students park in only certain locations, and obtain free parking permits to do so. When checking in, make certain that you are parked appropriately and that a parking permit is obtained and displayed as required.

• Keep plans for class visits. Don’t make plans with a teacher for a school visit and then change those plans without informing the cooperating teacher in advance. Some times cooperating teachers go to extra lengths to make certain the school visits are especially meaningful. Failing to show up when expected can agitate cooperating teachers and possibly may make clinical visits by other students more difficult.

• Dress professionally. You are not encouraged to wear a dress (females) or a suit and tie (males) when visiting schools. Neither should you be dressed sloppily. A clean set of jeans and a unwrinkled blouse or button-down shirt should do the job. Avoid wearing t-shirts or other clothing that might be considered to be too revealing.

• Be prompt, courteous, and helpful. High school students are expected to be in class on time, and so it is with the clinical student. When you arrive in the classroom, introduce yourself and ask the cooperating teacher where you should sit. If the teacher appears to be in need of assistance, don’t be afraid to offer it.

• Be professionally friendly. Be certain to carry a smile, answer questions, and express thanks for the opportunity to visit the teacher’s classroom and such upon arriving. You should be similarly friendly to students who might have questions about your visit. Short answers are best; maintain a low profile.

• Give full attention to class/teacher. Don’t fiddle with items that may be in your immediate vicinity, or carry on conversations with students when the teacher is delivering his or her lesson. Know what you are about; focus on the goals for your visit. Best observations will occur when the cooperating teacher is essentially unaware of your presence in the classroom.

• Get the teacher signature at the end of each class visit. Each clinical observation must be documented in two ways. First, the student must provide a record of observations. Second, the cooperating teacher must sign off on a sheet to be provided to each student that confirms the presence of the student for the on-site visit.

• Thank the cooperating teacher. There is nothing worse than having a clinical student benefit from a cooperating teacher’s efforts, and then having that clinical student walking out without expressing some form of appreciation. This irritates teachers, so be certain to express thanks.

• Leave on time. Don’t overstay your welcome. Teachers are busy people, and often have to prepare for the following class in the 5 minutes between classes. When you have completed your clinical visit, one or two short questions are appropriate, but get to the point and then depart. If you have a detailed question, then a follow-up phone call is indicated.

• Don't underestimate the value of small talk. While you don't want to overstay your welcome, be certain to take advantage of opportunities for small talk with your cooperating teacher. Those little discussions between class or after school can provide you with some of your most valuable insights. Take advantage of your cooperating teacher's experiences and professional character if the opportunity presents itself.

• Consider the value of a full-day observation. Consider whether or not you can do a "job shadowing" experience for a full class day. Spending time in the teacher's lounge, in the lunch room, in the storeroom, and in the school's main office can provide lots of insights. Be certain to conduct a wide array of clinical experience observations and activities during the time. Watching idly will be a significant waste of time.