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Student Teaching Chatboard

Why So Judgemental?

by IworkatMickyDs

Apr 13, 2010

Why are so many older teachers and college education professors so incredibly judgemental of their students? My sister was told this semester that she should consider a career change after she was late to her reading methods class twice. The first time she was late, she had to get a biopsy to check for lymphoma, to which she mentioned earlier that ...See More

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Denise I think there is a jump to conclusions in many areas of our society today. I am certain that teachers and professors hear off of the wall excuses frequently. I do, however, stand by my comment that student teaching seems to be a "weeding out" of sorts. First of all, the chaperoning thing on a Saturday night was something my coop CHOSE to do, she wa...See MoreI think there is a jump to conclusions in many areas of our society today. I am certain that teachers and professors hear off of the wall excuses frequently. I do, however, stand by my comment that student teaching seems to be a "weeding out" of sorts. First of all, the chaperoning thing on a Saturday night was something my coop CHOSE to do, she was not assigned that as any particular duty. Her friend was sponsoring the event and she thought it would be fun to go to with her husband. As I lived 40 miles from the site where the dance was to take place, was taking 3 classes at the same time I was student teaching, and had three preps, I did not feel comfortable chaperoning. I had two children that I hardly saw during my experience, I refuse to believe that teaching and parenting are mutually exclusive. I was a dedicated student teacher, and I am now a dedicated teacher. I make time for my students, that said, my children will ALWAYS come first. I shudder to think of a parent that would not say the same. My coop did not have children and had not experienced that aspect of life. She was extremely career oriented (which is fine) but also would occasionally disparage my choice to stay home with my children. I think that many coops feel they have carte blanche to say whatever they think and that student teachers better agree with it or else. I am in my late 30's, worked in human resources in the private sector, HIRED people, and have never seen another profession in which the entire future of a student is tied so much in the opinion of another. Teachers are human, they have likes and dislikes, and they are capable of holding a grudge. It does not seem like a fair system that the sum of one's educational endeavors comes down to the personal feelings of a single individual. I'm sure that you are a wonderful person and that you were fair with those in your charge, but please don't assume that everyone who had a less than stellar experience was at fault. I was to receive a written evaluation for each of the 16 weeks I was in her classroom. I received two. Complaining to the university did little, and they reminded me of the importance of her recommendation. As a consumer, I would not pay an electrician or plumber that did 1/8 of the work, but in this case I had no other stead. She was paid a stipend from my tuition, spent the bulk of my experience preparing an application for an overseas summer teaching seminar scholarship (which she won) and going on a week long field trip with students. I never missed a day in my four months, she missed 12. I would dream of saying that I was perfect and flawless in my time at the site, but I absolutely was professional in every case.

On 4/16/10, Oldteach wrote: > I would be interested in whether these two incidents were the > only two times your sister missed or was late for class. If > so, then I agree the prof was being hard-nosed and > unreasonable. If not, well.... > > > I have been both a coop teacher and taught at the college > level. The fact is, student teaching is very, very demanding > and needs to be your top priority. I realize this is hard > when you have kids, but there it is. It won't change when you > become a teacher. I have had student teachers request time off > or leave early to get their wedding gown fitted, cheer at a > basketball game, take their child to soccer practice... I > could go on and on. Once you have your own classroom, this > will not be possible. I do know that a sick child is a real > problem, because small children get sick a lot, but, in most > school systems, you are only allowed 10-15 sick days a year. > That's a little more than 1 a month. After that, you are > docked a full days' salary, which a BIG. (Divide your gross > salary ( before deductions) by 180, or however days you are > contracted for. It's a lot!- usually hundreds of dollars per > day) Also, making plans for a sub is a pain in the a**, and > getting one is a pain for the principal. It will not earn you > his or her good graces, that's for sure. That's why so many > teachers go to school sick so much. > > As a college instructor, I had students miss, or be late for, > many classes.( One was incensed when I said I could not give > her a passing grade if she missed any more classes, after she > had missed close to half of them.) I could not believe the > excuses I heard for not turning assignments in on time. In > professional level courses, one of the things you are being > graded on is professionalism, and one measure of that is your > commitment to professional obligations.( And yes, sometimes > those obligations include chaperoning dances on week-ends.) If > its part of your coop teacher's assignment, it is also yours. > No school system is going to allow you to consistently miss > school, come in late, leave early or come without plans > ready. > > I don't mean to sound "judgmental" or uncaring. I am truly > very sorry for your sister's health issues. However, when > there are 15-20 applicants for every teaching job, you can't > afford to be seen as not being committed to your job, esp. > before you even have one. > > > > > On 4/13/10, IworkatMickyDs wrote: >> Why are so many older teachers and college education >> professors so incredibly judgemental of their students? My >> sister was told this semester that she should consider a >> career change after she was late to her reading methods >> class twice. The first time she was late, she had to get a >> biopsy to check for lymphoma, to which she mentioned >> earlier that week to her professor. The second time, her >> daughter woke up sick and she had to drop her off at moms. >> Both times she was told, "YOU CANT DO THAT ONCE YOU'RE A >> TEACHER. YOU ARE BEING VERY UNPROFESSIONAL AND SHOULD >> RECONSIDER YOUR CAREER" What the heck? Once you have kids, >> you shouldn't be a teacher? If you do become a teacher, >> God forbid you possibly have cancer or you're screwed? >> >> All college professors seem to do is judge the ones they >> are training. I didnt go into education but my sister is >> having a difficult time trying to make it through her >> program under the watchful eyes of her professors who have >> nothing better to do than judge or criticize. So teacher >> candidates who have kids or are facing certain illnesses, >> hats off to you.

Apr 17, 2010

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iworkatmickyds @ Denise, I think you are an excellent mom. It is nice to hear from a former student teacher, now teacher, who had to juggle children and requirements of the college of education. I'm sorry you were browbeaten by your fellow coop who did not have children and was not understanding of the demands placed on her from them.

@ OldTeach, perhaps...See More@ Denise, I think you are an excellent mom. It is nice to hear from a former student teacher, now teacher, who had to juggle children and requirements of the college of education. I'm sorry you were browbeaten by your fellow coop who did not have children and was not understanding of the demands placed on her from them.

@ OldTeach, perhaps you have had your lazy students who gave crap excuses for missing student teaching or beng late to class. If you had read my posts properly, you'd know I'm not referring to those situations...which don't only happen in education but in ALL college majors. Already you are questioning my sister's motivation to be a teacher with your snide comments about her ever being late on other ocasions. I don't think its fair for college professors and coop teachers to be so hard on mothers. And single mothers especially!!! My sisters husband died a couple years ago, she has no support system except for me and my mom, who is getting older. Couple that with nasty, bitter old bags like you who seem to want to make achieving a college education twice as hard. You seem to love to heap criticism and judgement on thse who didnt have as easy a time getting through college and student teaching, maybe like YOU did. Maybe YOU didnt have kids to worry about or your health to worry about, or a mortgage or car payment or daycare. Whatever. Maybe you'll climb down from your Ivory Tower someday.....

On 4/17/10, Denise wrote: > > I think there is a jump to conclusions in many areas of our > society today. I am certain that teachers and professors hear off > of the wall excuses frequently. I do, however, stand by my > comment that student teaching seems to be a "weeding out" of > sorts. First of all, the chaperoning thing on a Saturday night > was something my coop CHOSE to do, she was not assigned that as > any particular duty. Her friend was sponsoring the event and she > thought it would be fun to go to with her husband. As I lived 40 > miles from the site where the dance was to take place, was taking > 3 classes at the same time I was student teaching, and had three > preps, I did not feel comfortable chaperoning. I had two children > that I hardly saw during my experience, I refuse to believe that > teaching and parenting are mutually exclusive. I was a dedicated > student teacher, and I am now a dedicated teacher. I make time > for my students, that said, my children will ALWAYS come first. I > shudder to think of a parent that would not say the same. My coop > did not have children and had not experienced that aspect of life. > She was extremely career oriented (which is fine) but also would > occasionally disparage my choice to stay home with my children. I > think that many coops feel they have carte blanche to say whatever > they think and that student teachers better agree with it or else. > I am in my late 30's, worked in human resources in the private > sector, HIRED people, and have never seen another profession in > which the entire future of a student is tied so much in the > opinion of another. Teachers are human, they have likes and > dislikes, and they are capable of holding a grudge. It does not > seem like a fair system that the sum of one's educational > endeavors comes down to the personal feelings of a single > individual. I'm sure that you are a wonderful person and that you > were fair with those in your charge, but please don't assume that > everyone who had a less than stellar experience was at fault. I > was to receive a written evaluation for each of the 16 weeks I was > in her classroom. I received two. Complaining to the university > did little, and they reminded me of the importance of her > recommendation. As a consumer, I would not pay an electrician or > plumber that did 1/8 of the work, but in this case I had no other > stead. She was paid a stipend from my tuition, spent the bulk of > my experience preparing an application for an overseas summer > teaching seminar scholarship (which she won) and going on a week > long field trip with students. I never missed a day in my four > months, she missed 12. I would dream of saying that I was > perfect and flawless in my time at the site, but I absolutely was > professional in every case. > > >

Apr 18, 2010

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Are student teachers required to have their certification?

by Jessica

Apr 16, 2010

Hi there! I work with a teacher certification study guide company and was wondering if student teachers must have their certification prior to serving as a student teacher or teaching assistant. Looking forward to hearing your feedback. Thank you for your help!

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Oldteach On 4/16/10, Jessica wrote: > Hi there! I work with a teacher certification study guide > company and was wondering if student teachers must have > their certification prior to serving as a student teacher > or teaching assistant. Looking forward to hearing your > feedback. Thank you for your help!

Student teachers are not re...See More

Apr 16, 2010

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Thank you! Thank you! I appreciate the information!

On 4/16/10, Oldteach wrote: > Student teachers are not required to have certification before > student teaching. Actually, in most states, you can't be > certified until you have completed student teaching. Most > student teachers are working on their initial certification as > they ...See More

Apr 16, 2010

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Summer School Theme Help

by Sue

Apr 17, 2010

I decided to go with the ocean theme for summer school. If anyone has any ideas, suggestion, or resources to develop this theme I would GREATY appreciate it since it's my first time putting a program like this together!

I am looking for a cute name for the program. I came up with SPLASH - but I am having trouble figuring out what each lett...See More

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End Of The Year Gift

by Teach

Apr 17, 2010

I need help with an end of the year gift for my student teacher. His last day is Friday. Unfortunately, my students will be happy to see him go and I will too. Jobs are scarce and chances are he won't get one, so I don't think I should purchase teacher supplies b/c they might be a waste- in addition to the fact that he has said he doesn't really wa...See More

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Leah I'm sorry you and your class had to put up with him. I'd make him a best wishes card and have the children sign it.

Do not recommend him ever.

Apr 19, 2010

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East End Long Islander Goodness -- just have a party. If he was THAT disliked by you and your students, and is incompetent, why do more than a going-away party with a card and cake and beverages? If he was going into teaching, a gift card for a teacher store would be useful ... or even an office supply store like Staples ... if you LIKE him, then do the latter -- he can ...See More

May 2, 2010

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Why so judgemental?

by Denise

Apr 18, 2010

Thank you. Student teaching definitely was a challenge on all fronts, but it was worth it. I do enjoy my time in the classroom each day, and I think I am good with my students. I have noticed that so many people have a terrible experience student teaching, it makes me think that there must be a better way to do it, but I'm not sure what it is. Univ...See More

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Denise And I'm sorry, I meant to say that I hope things do work out for your sister. Sometimes when it rains, it pours, and it seems like she could use a break! I was extremely lucky to have a supportive husband at home to help with my girls, I don't think I would have made it without him, so I really take my hat off to your sister and her tenacity!
...See More

Apr 18, 2010

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Testing

by Mark

Apr 20, 2010

The Have Fun Teaching website is offering Teacher Shirts and Teacher Bags that say, "TESTING IS NOT TEACHING". Make a statement with these shirts for teachers.

I don't think that testing should have such a huge emphasis, do you?

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Jobs for new teachers

by Christie

Apr 22, 2010

hello-I am new to this chatboard. I am about to graduate from college in May. I am planning on attending graduate school as soon as I graduate. However, I am also looking for jobs. I would like to look for a job out of state. Does anyone have any suggestions for websites or ways I can find out what kinds of jobs are available? I have looked at a fe...See More

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Teresa On 4/23/10, oldteach wrote: > Sometimes you have to look on the county level. In Tennessee they are always looking for teachers, but it's posted at the county board of education websites. Good Luck.

I would absolutely stay away from sites that ask your SS # > !!!. Instead, try state education dept. websites. They > usually have a ...See More

Apr 28, 2010

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Fall 2011 I've found most openings are not posted online in PA. They are however, communicated to Dean's of honorable schools within their local looking for Graduates etc... Others are word of mouth by staying in communication to the districts you are looking for. I've also found websites that list salaries and years experience for of local teachers. I've ke...See More

May 2, 2010

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EC-6 Texes Exam

by Lana

Apr 27, 2010

I'm not sure if I am asking this question in the appropriate place, but here it goes... Has anyone taken the new TExEs (191 generalists) Ec-6 Exam? How was it? Any advice? Also, they give you 5 hours, does it take that long? I have a public relations degree and have NO experience teaching expect with being a substitute a few times...do you need to ...See More

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Teacher I have taken several ExCET/TExES exams in my teaching career. I have never spent more than 90 minutes on any one tests and have passed all on the first try for my certifications. You will absolutely have to pass English Language Arts and Reading because that is about 47 percent of the test. You do not have to pass every single part of the rest of t...See MoreI have taken several ExCET/TExES exams in my teaching career. I have never spent more than 90 minutes on any one tests and have passed all on the first try for my certifications. You will absolutely have to pass English Language Arts and Reading because that is about 47 percent of the test. You do not have to pass every single part of the rest of the test. I would suggest you have a passing score for math. The other areas are important but if you barely miss passing one or two of them, you can probably still pass.

On 6/14/10, Lana wrote: > Thanks for everyone's advice. I take the test in less than 2 > weeks. (aghhh) > I bought the only ec-6 study guide available at the time..which was > the "EC-6 Texes-191 Generalist Study Guide" by Nancy...somebody. > Sorry, I've forgotten her last name, but it is available at barnes > and nobles. There are SO many typos and mistakes, but I am happy > with how much I've gained from it. Sheri, there are two full-length > (140 question) tests in the back with detailed answer > clarifications which I found super helpful! I did a little studying > for an ec-4 study guide I picked up at the library. I read the > entire book front to back to remind myself of basic math, social > studies and science. I am going to take one more practice test and > look over all the notes I took while reading the book and I think > I'll be ready by the 26th. Hope that helps for anyone who hasn't > taken the test. Hopefully it will work for me *fingers crossed* > On 6/14/10, Sheri wrote: >> Thank you so much for your response. I am furiously looking for >> good material to study. Where did you get the 3 practice exams? >> Did you buy them online and what site? There are so many to pick >> from. On the TEXES site practice exam there are only 50 >> questions. Thank you so much I hope you read this. >> >> >> >> On 6/06/10, cj wrote: >>> I have a BBA (20+ yrs) ago & have subbed this past year. I >>> studied EC-6 flash cards (from online site) & an EC-4 Exam >>> for Dummies manual. Studied info for a few weeks & took 3 >>> practice exams (several times) until I got them all right. >>> EC-6 Test not too hard if you study materials. Make sure you >>> know basic science concepts & have good Texas History >>> background (many questions in this section were not on the >>> practice exams or flash cards). Passed the first time! Good >>> luck ...you CAN do it! >>> >>> >>> >>> On 4/27/10, Lana wrote: >>>> I'm not sure if I am asking this question in the >>>> appropriate place, but here it goes... >>>> Has anyone taken the new TExEs (191 generalists) Ec-6 >>>> Exam? How was it? Any advice? Also, they give you 5 >>>> hours, does it take that long? >>>> I have a public relations degree and have NO experience >>>> teaching expect with being a substitute a few times...do >>>> you need to have an education degree to pass this test the >>>> first time around? >>>> THANKS!

Jun 18, 2010

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Mary Kay I found the NATH book EC-4 very helpful, even though it doesn't go to 6th. It was good review. I have been out of teaching for a few years, and wanted to add Kindergarten, so I took this test. Passed it on the first try. Helpful hints: Definitely study Texas history, Constitutional Amendments, branches of gov. Know in PE, Art and Music what is an a...See More

Jul 30, 2010

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