Your cooperating teacher should never EVER talk to you about your
performance in front of students. Ever. That can only result in
your losing even more credibility in your students' eyes. Next
time, politely mention that you appreciate your CT's feedback,
but prefer to receive in in private. Perhaps you could set up a
structured time (prep period, before school, etc.) for feedback.

Your nervousness is natural and will fade over time. I have been
teaching for seven years and still get very nervous on the first
day of school!

Don't worry about whether the students like you. Worry about
whether your students are learning. If they are learning and
being held accountable, they will respect you in the end, which
is more powerful than just "liking" you.

Avoid comparing yourself to your mentor because it will only make
you feel inadequate. You are a student teacher and your mentor
is a master teacher, after all! Give yourself permission to
make mistakes, as long as you are learning from each misstep.

As for looking too nice, you'll have to find that balance for
yourself. Every teacher is different in his or her demeanor and
I think there are times to be "nice" in the classroom and times
to be more stern. I find that subtle humor (NOT sarcasm or
irony) can be a powerful response to some kinds of misbehavior,
for example. Learn to use a "teacher stare," which is a
nonverbal cue to students who are off task. I also have my
assertive teacher voice, which is not angry, but it is clear,
low, and slow. It sends a strong message that I am serious about
what I'm saying. Be sure that students understand your
expectations and be consistent with rule enforcement.

Discipline is one of the hardest parts of teaching for many
people. Effective discipline strategies begin with student
teaching, but require time to fully develop yourself. Please
remember that you are only a few weeks into student teaching -
you'll get there, but it takes time!!! Now you have the
opportunity to observe the methods of your mentor, try out
various strategies, and formulate a basic discipline plan - all
under the watchful eye of a mentor. Great opportunity!

On 9/18/09, Mandy wrote:
> I was a nervous student teacher too, also on the nice side.
> The niceness continued with my first year of teaching, and
> when I tried to toughen up, it was too late.
>
> As for "looking" nice, I don't think this is something you can
> change. You can change how you handle situations, though, if
> that is what he means. Try to be firm with the students. This
> is hard because it's not something you learn while in college.
> Student teaching, the first year of teaching, and I'm sure the
> years following consist of a lot of trial and error.
>
> Be fair/consistent as well (this is also hard), but it's
> necessary to establish authority.
>
> Try not to be nervous. The students can sense it and often
> will take advantage of it. If you are ever nervous about the
> material itself, remember: You know more than the students do.
>
> And from personal experience, I can tell you that you will
> probably become more comfortable with the students in time.
> You won't be nervous in front of them, anymore. It just
> happens one day, and it's like "Wow, why was I so scared in
> the beginning?"
>
> Good luck. :)
>
>
>
> On 9/17/09, New Student Teacher........ wrote:
>> Hi everyone! I started my student teaching a few weeks ago.
>> I had an observation period and now I am teaching 2 classes.
>> I never thought I would get so nervous in front of the
>> students but I do, unfortunately. I feel very inadequate and
>> the fact that I was placed with a very popular teacher makes
>> the situation worse for me. I feel like the students won't
>> like me as much and then I get nervous. My cooperating
>> teacher is great but at times he talks to me about my
>> performance in front of the students and he looks very
>> frustrated. He told me that he thought I was already losing
>> some students because I look too nice. How can I fix this?
>> How can I look less nice and have more authority?

Share This Post | Report This Post

Next Post >>

Posts on this thread, including this one