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Teacher Mentors & University Supervisors

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Student teaching is one of the most important transitions of your academic career.

At SEMO, we've built a mentorship model that surrounds you with experienced professionals at every level, because oftentimes, the difference between thriving and just surviving comes down to one thing: support. You are actively guided, coached, and invested in, all by people who know what great teaching looks like and are committed to helping you succeed.

That means real feedback you can act on. Real relationships that extend beyond a single semester. And real confidence that you are entering your career prepared, not just credentialed.

Note: Students are evaluated by their mentors and supervisors using the MEES Teacher Candidate Assessment Rubric

Principals and Mentor Teachers

Your mentor teacher is one of the most important people in your student teaching experience. Every day, they will work alongside you, offering real-time feedback, modeling effective instruction, and investing in your growth as a professional. This is not a hands-off relationship. The confidence and skills you build together will follow you into your classroom long after your placement ends.
a mentor teacher stands blurred slightly in the foreground while a student teacher writes on the board in the classroom

University Supervisors

Your university supervisor is your direct connection between SEMO's Educator Preparation Program and your classroom placement. Working in close coordination with your mentor teacher, your university supervisor ensures that no challenge you face in the field goes unaddressed. Together, they form the support system that sets SEMO student teachers apart.
a university professor stands with a group of education students having a discussion

Triad Seminar

Before the placement begins, you, mentor teachers, and university supervisors come together for the Triad Seminar. This collaborative session establishes working relationships, clarifies expectations and goals, and aligns everyone on the tools and standards that will guide the semester, including the Missouri Educator Evaluation System. Beginning with a shared understanding allows teacher candidates to focus less on logistics and more on professional growth.
a student and a teacher review technology in the edvolution center together

Lesson Planning With Your Mentor Teacher

Strong lesson planning is the backbone of effective teaching, and during student teaching, it is also a collaborative process. Templates for both full and abbreviated lesson plans are available on this page to help you stay organized throughout your placement.

  • Every Wednesday — submit the upcoming week's lesson plans to your mentor teacher for review and approval.
  • Every Friday by 11:59 p.m. — once approved by your mentor teacher, send an electronic copy to your university supervisor.
  • These deadlines apply to all lessons, not just those being formally observed.

You will begin your placement by submitting full lesson plans on this schedule. As you grow, your mentor teacher and university supervisor will monitor your progress together. Once both agree you have demonstrated consistent instructional competence, you will transition to a shorter daily lesson plan template, also available on this page. The same Wednesday and Friday deadlines apply to the short plan.

This transition is a milestone. It is earned, not automatic.

Important: Failure to meet lesson plan expectations will negatively impact your student teaching grade.

Daily Lesson Plans

Create a lesson plan for everyday classroom use with this simple-to-complete template.
Daily Lesson Plans – Short Form

Lesson Plan

Develop lesson plans that work for your teaching style, including your learning objectives and lesson goals.
Lesson Plan

School of Education

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Office

Scully 238

Mailing Address

One University Plaza, MS 5675
Cape Girardeau, MO 63701