I am student-teaching as well and have noticed that university
personnel that place us in schools with mentor teachers FAIL
miserably to do their research about whom they are placing us
with. I am learning what NOT to do and have not had any
feedback concerning HOW I am doing. My mentor teacher has a
Master's degree in theater. He has no degree in education and
has told me that he knows nothing about "pedagogy" because he
is not concerned with that.
He was certified to teach in the 70s when there was a huge
demand for teachers even though he has no educational
background on HOW to educate. He uses completely made-up
strategies and knows nothing about the methodology of the
subject he teaches.
Unfortunately, student teaching is something we have to "get
through" and it is very challenging working day-to-day in
another teacher's classroom. I feel your pain because you do
not deserve to be treated like that. University people have no
idea what we go through on a daily basis with mentor teachers
that have no right mentoring the future teachers of America.

Hang in there, get through it, and let the university personnel
know what you are dealing with so hopefully they will not place
anyone else with your mentor teacher.

Remember, the students matter the most. Treat them with
respect, do your best, and put a tack on your mentor teacher's
chair (haha).

On 10/23/09, Trouble wrote:
> I am a person that does not like to complain. When i come
> into contact with someone who i do not particularly like i
> am very cordial and try to see the good in them. My co-
> teacher is a complete nightmare for me. Prior to begining
> my experience she had emailed and asked when i was
> starting. I emailed her back and informed her of when i
> was told to start, i also mentioned in that email that if
> she wnated me to i would have no problem coming in earlier
> if she wanted me too. I received an email back stating
> that the time i was given was fine for her. My first day i
> arriving she jumped down my throat i felt like and asked if
> the principal mentioned anything to me about my start date,
> because the other student teachers started the week
> before. That was my first impression of her and our
> relationship. I know she has personally issues going on,
> but i don't feel as though she is approachable for
> information. She never informs me information regarding
> school spirit, or anything in that regard. She only speaks
> to me if there is someone else is in the room, otherwise
> she is busy reading her email. i have never student taught
> before and i do not know if this normal or not. I feel as
> though if i don't answer the way she wants me too or agree
> with her she is jumping down throat and becoming
> defensive. I go in early, stay late when needed, and
> volunteer when possible. When she asks me to submit lesson
> plans i do so. Any advice on how to handle her or the
> situation.

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