Resources for District Cooperating Teachers
From all of us in the Teacher Education Program at the UCR School of Education, thank you for helping prepare our students to become critical-thinkers and well-rounded educators. As a District Cooperating Teacher (DCT), you will play a big role in this process. And we are so glad that you decided to be part of it!
As members of the TEP community, you are valued and are an important part of our program. We recognize the contributions you will bring and how this will set in motion a series of events that will lead to changing future generations. Thank you for being a mentor!
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Welcome from the Assistant Dean and Director of Teacher Education
Welcome to the UCR Teacher Education Program
Welcome to the Teacher Education Program (TEP) at the University of California, Riverside. It is a privilege to serve as the Assistant Dean and Director of Teacher Education, and I am delighted to welcome you as a District Cooperating Teacher and valued member of our TEP community.
At UCR, we prepare educators who are committed to creating meaningful and lasting change in schools and communities. Our program brings together a diverse community of teacher candidates, faculty, staff, Supervisors of Teacher Education, and District Cooperating Teachers who share a commitment to equity, belonging, and the success of all students.
Becoming an educator is both a rigorous and transformative journey. Throughout the year, our teacher candidates will be challenged to grow personally and professionally, strengthen their practice, reflect deeply on their impact, and draw upon their lived experiences and unique perspectives as they learn to navigate the complexities of teaching and learning. As a District Cooperating Teacher, you are an essential part of that journey.
Your mentorship provides our teacher candidates with something that cannot be replicated in a university classroom. You bring the opportunity to learn alongside an experienced educator and engage authentically with students and school communities. Our candidates will develop the confidence, knowledge, and skills necessary to lead their own classrooms. Through your guidance, feedback, encouragement, you are helping shape the educators our schools and communities need.
We deeply value the expertise and perspective you bring to this partnership. Together with our Supervisors of Teacher Education and the broader TEP community, you will help our candidates connect theory to practice and embrace reflection and growth to become educators who are prepared to lead meaningful change.
Our teacher candidates have chosen this profession during a time of tremendous change in education. Their work will matter and so will yours. The time you invest in mentoring a future educator has the potential to influence not only one teacher but generations of students who will enter their classroom.
I am thrilled to welcome you to the UCR TEP community and look forward to our partnership throughout the year. Together, we can strengthen education across the Inland Empire and beyond and prepare the next generation of leaders of change.
Best wishes for an outstanding and impactful year!
Dr. Frances Valdovinos
Assistant Dean and Director of Teacher Education
District Cooperating Teacher Handbook
District Cooperating Teacher Resources
- DCT Orientation - this powerpoint will provide you with an overview of the Teacher Education Program, and expectations of UCR Student Teacher, DCT & Site Administrator, and University Supervisor
- Information For DCT’s - overview of your responsibilities and methods of support
- DCT Orientation Checklist - please review and sign this form
- DCT Orientation: Topics to Discuss - topics UCR Supervisors should consider including in their DCT __orientation
- Principal's Certification of Cooperating Teachers for Student Teacher Placements
- DCT discount flyer - all DCT's are eligible to receive 50% off the course fee of one Education department course
- Watermark Instructions for DCTs - this will walk you through how to set up your Watermark account
- DCT Watermark Account Setup (Video) - this video will teach you how to use Watermark to keep track of student hours in the field
- Course Networking (DCT 10 Hour Training)
If you have any questions on these resources, please contact your UCR Supervisor.
