I’m going to have a student teacher in my biology classes next semester. I’ve never done this before, and I’d like to provide her with feedback on effective science teaching practices. Do you have any suggestions for resources on this?
–Deborah, Stockton, California
Congratulations on your new role, and thank you for agreeing to help an aspiring science teacher! You’re the best resource she can have, as you model good teaching and provide feedback on her efforts.
Will your student teacher’s supervisor use university/college protocols or checklists? If these are generic and meant to be used for a variety of subject areas or the supervisor does not have a background in science education, some science-specific protocols and indicators specifically related to science teaching would be helpful to share with your student teacher. Using these written guidelines or rubrics can provide baseline data and show areas of improvement as she becomes more capable and confident under your tutelage. These guidelines can also help you focus your feedback on specific behaviors, which is better than a generic, though still valuable, “good job.” She can also use these guidelines as she observes your teaching.
A math-science partnership project with which I was involved used two protocols on classroom visits. These could be adapted to meet the needs of your student teacher. Both of these are included in the National Science Foundation’s MSPnet, an electronic learning community with many professional development resources:

Classroom management is a challenge for new teachers, especially in science classes where students are using equipment and materials. To help your student teacher, look up Victor Sampson’s The Science Management Observation Protocol in the December 2004 issue of The Science Teacher (you can access it online in NSTA’s Science Store where journal articles are available free to NSTA members, and for a nominal cost to non-members). This article includes checklists tailored to inquiry-based science classes: classroom routines, use of time, collaboration, safety, and the care and use of materials.
When using protocols such as these, it’s important to remember that any given lesson will not exemplify or include every item. They list exemplary practices but do not prescribe which would be appropriate in a given situation. That’s where your experience and expertise will be helpful to your student teacher. Even experienced teachers could benefit from looking at these protocols and reflecting on a recent lesson.
Another priceless resource on effective teaching you could share is a guided tour of the many resources available to NSTA members, starting with the portal Preservice and New Teachers. Good luck!