Empowering Cooperating Teachers [microform] : The University of Alabama Clinical Master Teacher (CMT) Program / Ronnie L. Stanford and Others

In the Clinical Master Teacher (CMT) program of the University of Alabama's College of Education, CMTs are outstanding elementary, middle, and secondary school teachers elected to participate in an innovative teacher intern (student teacher) supervisory program. They are empowered to fulfill the traditional roles of both the campus-based college supervisor and the public school-based cooperating teacher. This added responsibility causes CMTs to grow professionally and take their relationship with the teacher intern more seriously. CMTs are appointed as adjunct faculty to the College of Education. CMTs are grouped in teams of four to six members and work cooperatively in supervising a group of teacher interns assigned to the entire team. Campus-based faculty work with the individual CMTs and the CMT teams in the supervision of the interns. This paper discusses the rationale for the CMT program, selection criteria for CMTs, selection and placement procedures for teacher interns, CMT training activities, CMT team meetings, team supervision techniques, role of the university-based CMT coordinators, evidence of the program's success, and future plans. Guidelines for establishing a CMT program conclude the paper. (JDD)