Student Resources
As a student of Lipscomb University's College of Education, we have provided several online resources to support your academic experience and better prepare you for life after college.
Student Teaching
Enhanced student teaching is the culminating experience in the Teacher Education Program at Lipscomb University. Every teacher education student teaches in two different classrooms located in area schools for a total of 15 weeks of student teaching. Prior to student teaching, Lipscomb students gain valuable classroom experience by observing and assisting with instruction beginning as early as the second semester of the Freshman year and continuing throughout the program.
The student teaching experience begins with an orientation and a reception honoring the student teachers and the K-12 cooperating teachers who are selected to work with student teachers. Student teachers are also teamed with a faculty member from the university who serves as a supervisor during student teaching. Supervisors maintain close contact with student teachers as they evaluate, encourage, and support growth. Regularly scheduled large and small group seminars provide avenues for ongoing professional development and a peer support network.
At the conclusion of student teaching, Lipscomb students are asked to evaluate the experience and their assigned supervisor. This information is used to make improvements as Lipscomb prepares teachers to effectively practice their craft, develop appropriate attitudes and values, cultivate relationships, and gain essential knowledge in an atmosphere of C.A.R.E.
Metro schools provide the primary source of practicum and student teaching placements. Included in the 127 schools are:
- 9 magnet schools, that have specialized curricula
- 11 United States Schools of Excellence, which is the highest award given to any public or independent K-12 school
- 466 21st Century Classrooms, that emphasize technology as an instructional tool
- 3,400 students who represent 79 different languages, who are part of English Language Learners programs
In view of the fact that your autobiography may be read by the cooperating teacher, the school principal, your university supervisor, and prospective employers, it is extremely important that it be prepared carefully. Please give attention to the following suggestions:
- Follow the outline (below) for the writing of your autobiography. Include the headings and subheadings with narrative following.
- Proofread your completed autobiography for neatness and accuracy. Be sure to use spell check.
- Include one draft copy with your student teaching packet.
- Include information about yourself that will enable your cooperating teacher to have a good understanding of you.
- Do not include any personal information that could prove embarrassing.
NOTE: The draft autobiography will be returned to you at the pre-student teaching interview with suggested revisions. You will be expected to make any needed changes and return the four revised copies, within one week.
Autobiography Outline:
- Family History
- Early Childhood
- School Experiences (including college)
- Academic
- Extracurricular
- Leadership positions held
- Honors received
- Likes and dislikes
- Other Meaningful contacts with Children and/or Youth
- At church
- In community
- In schools
- Other
- V. Strengths and Weaknesses (e.g. interpersonal relationships, time management, academic areas, creative abilities)
- Beliefs
- Career Goals
- Expectations
Every student teacher must schedule an exit interview. The interview panel will be composed of at least three individuals who represent Lipscomb faculty, P-12 teachers, P-12 administrators, or parents. This interview can be scheduled at the site of either the first or second student teaching placement. The purpose of the exit interview is for teacher candidates to demonstrate their accomplishments in the areas of craft, attitudes and values, relationships, and essential knowledge.
Student teachers should bring a professional portfolio that illustrates their growth in the areas of C.A.R.E. The portfolio could be assembled in a 3-ring binder or a folder of some type. The portfolio may be divided according to the four areas of C.A.R.E. or another method may be used. If the portfolio is organized thematically, please insert a supplemental page that lists which pages demonstrate each area.
The portfolio should be an individualized, personal collection of items that document the preparation and teaching abilities of each student teacher. Some examples of items that might be included in a portfolio within each category are:
Craft of Teaching
Items that illustrate your ability to plan and implement lessons that are informative, creative, and adaptive to student needs.
- Unit/lesson plans
- Photographs of student projects, activities, bulletin boards, teaching aids
- Diskette of multimedia presentation
- Incorporation of technology in teaching
- Individualized learning contracts
- Discipline plan
- Examples of student work
- Teacher made tests, other evaluation instruments
- Evaluations of teaching
Attitudes and Values
Items that demonstrate values worthy of imitation.
- Reflective log entries from student teaching
- Conferences/workshops attended (professional development)
- Wellness and healthy lifestyle documentation
Relationships
Items that demonstrate positive relationships with students, colleagues, administrators, parents, and the community.
- Parent letters
- Notes/feedback from students
- Examples of collaborative work with other teachers, librarians
Essential Knowledge
Items that document mastery of discipline content and basic skills.
- Papers from college courses related to major discipline
- Praxis scores
- Unofficial copy of transcript
- Article critiques
The Career Development Center offers job placement assistance in contacting prospective employers, preparing letters and resumes, and learning interviewing skills. In addition, the career center hosts a week-long Recruitment Fair during with teacher education students may interview for positions in local and national school systems. The Office of Teacher Education informs students of job openings and other opportunities for work in education settings.
Thomas Whitfield Student Teacher Award
In honor of: Dr. Thomas Whitfield who worked at Lipscomb for 39 years, beginning in 1946. He led Lipscomb’s Teacher Education Program through years of growth, national recognition, and service. The familiar saying, “A teacher affects eternity” describes Dr. Whitfield. He was a model of gentleness, a builder of truth, a teacher of teachers, and a friend of the Master Teacher.This award is given to the students who have shown superior potential for excellence in the teaching profession. Awards may be given for students in the K-8, K-12, 7-12 and graduate licensure areas.
The Mary Morris Character Award
In honor of: Dr. Mary Morris and her exceptional work with character development. Her influence impacted not only on the Lipscomb campus, but also in the broader Nashville community, as well as the national educational environment.
The Teacher Education Program faculty will award The Mary Morris Character Award to a graduating student who displays the qualities, character traits, and dispositions as described in "Character Counts" during his/her study in the classroom and as a student teacher. Specifically, the award criteria are based on the "Six Pillars of Character Counts" as follows:
- Shows Care and Concern for Others (Caring)
- Is Forthright and Truthful when Dealing with Others (Trustworthiness)
- Pursues Excellence is All He/She Does (Responsibility)
- Listens with an Open Mind (Fairness)
- Respects Authority and Seeks Personal Improvement (Citizenship)
- Is Courteous and Polite to All People (Respect)
- Displays Professionalism
- Maintains High Ethical Standards and Behavior
The Carol Hall Student Teacher Award
During the fall semester 2000, the Lipscomb family was saddened by the loss of one of its finest student teachers, Carol Hall. The Teacher Education department decided to honor Carol and her life by initiating the Carol Hall Student Teacher Award. In honor of Carol, the first award was given to Carol's parents at the end of the fall 2000 semester.
"As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God." - I Peter 4:10
This award is awarded each semester to a student teacher who exhibits Christ-like attitudes and behaviors. Carol was always full of joy with a big smile and an encouraging word to students, friends, and colleagues. She went the extra mile and had a strong work ethic, giving 110% in all that she did. Carol was an optimist, finding the good in every situation. Her attitudes and behaviors enriched the lives of many young people and her influence will continue to be felt. Each semester, the Carol Hall Student Teacher Award recipient is selected by her peers and announced at the final student teacher seminar.
Teacher Resource Sites
Access a database of useful websites and links to educational information, lesson plans and activities, and everything you may need for the classroom.
The following sites have been recommended either by Education professors or our students. While we are not responsible for their content, they have been reviewed and we found that each seemed to offer valuable information for anyone in the teaching profession. We remain open to suggestions of sites that should either be added or deleted.
- ABC Teach
Primarily for lower elementary teachers that has useful information on lesson plans, thematic units, shape and color books, as well as the basic subject lesson plans
- Discovery School (Discovery Channel)
Incredible collection of lesson plans, teaching tools, Teacher's Store, Clip Art Gallery, Study Starters, et cetera
- Learning Page
A collection of professionally produced instructional materials you can download and print: lesson plans, books, worksheets, et cetera
- Lesson Planz
A searchable directory of free online lesson plans and lesson plan resources for all grades and subjects
- Sites for Teachers
Rates educational Websites by popularity with teachers, just choose the age, level, skills and topic and find the best resources
- Smithsonian Education
The central education website of the Smithsonian Institute of Washington, D.C.
LiveText
LiveText is an electronic interface to create, submit, and complete assignments for courses helps students stay organized and receive the feedback needed to improve learning. Such documents and assignments then become the evidence needed for programs to assess and analyze effectiveness. Access tutorials and account information.
Welcome to Lipscomb University's LiveText Resource.
In navigating this site, students and faculty will find supplementary resources on:
- Creating a LiveText account
- Creating, sharing, and reviewing documents
- Submitting an assignment
This site also gives current information about student orientations, as well as news and updates on LiveText.
If you have any questions or require assistance, please email Rebekah Tran at rebekah.tran [at] lipscomb.edu (subject: Livetext%20Help) .
Helpful Resources