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Student Teaching Chatboard

Thinking about dropping out..

by ilteacher

Jan 24, 2010

I really need some advice. Or maybe I just need to type this out loud. I am entering week 4 of Student Teaching. It has been overwhelming, exhausting, interesting and more. It has not been horrible, even tho I feel lost most of the time and 99% of the time I am utterly unsure of myself. Mostly, what I have realized is that teaching will not be the ...See More

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NC God, thing same thing here. I am an older student returning to school and feel as if this student teaching portion is going to drive me crazy. My CT did the same thing. I wanted K-3 and am in 5th. There was a reason I switched from middle grades back down to elementary. The kids are great, but coming in 2nd semester and not know the curriculum (how...See MoreGod, thing same thing here. I am an older student returning to school and feel as if this student teaching portion is going to drive me crazy. My CT did the same thing. I wanted K-3 and am in 5th. There was a reason I switched from middle grades back down to elementary. The kids are great, but coming in 2nd semester and not know the curriculum (how are you supposed to know all of that in one month or even two months. I am trying my hardest but it is never right. I never had to learn the things students do today, so between trying to understand what I am teaching and also writng lessons about stuff I don't know is overwhelming. I wish you luck.

On 2/24/10, Cecy Saucedo wrote: > I FEEL THE SAME WAY!! it was good to read everyone's > advice...made me feel better eventhough it wasn't for me > lol...i'm on my fifth week, on my first assignment...and i can't > wait for week eight! I get home and feel so stressed out and > overwhelemed that i start crying... i really do want to be a > teacher but i've always liked primary grades and they placed me > in a 6th grade classroom..and my master teacher just gave me the > books she is using and basically told me to take over with out > telling me what material she has covered already and what needs > to be taugh. I'm constantly wondering if im doing things right > and feeling insecure. All i can really do is pray and keep > reading advice from teachers and other student teachers who are > going throught the same experience. :( > > > On 2/04/10, Miss_Texas wrote: >> First let me commend you for having the guts to confess your >> feelings! Next, let me tell you as an experienced teacher, now >> school counselor that you came in at a tough time. Second >> semester's always more difficult. I don't think anyone I know >> felt 100% confident in their abilities as a teacher at the >> point of student teaching. I remember I had student taught 1st >> grade, so I thought that's all I could do, so I applied for >> those jobs. I moved up from there to 6th grade and loved it! >> Finding your niche and were you absolutely belong is key. Harry >> Wong's book The First Days of School will give you tons of >> invaluable information. I followed that to the "t" and had >> excellent classroom management and was even asked to lead >> workshops on it b/c in my entire career I only had 2 office >> referrals because I based my classroom management on his >> principles and it works! Next, make sure you're in the right >> subject for you. I remember student teaching and being forced >> to do math lessons, but I was an ELA person...and that was >> totally out of my element. >> I know you can do it. You've set a goal for yourself and come >> this far! A pregnancy lasts nine months, so surely you can >> stick out 9 tiny weeks of your life and at least see before >> throwing all of your hard work away, right? >> Please don't hesitate to contact me. I need to know how things >> worked out for you! >> In Texas, best of wishes!

Mar 4, 2010

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Mara I am currently in the same boat many of you were last year: experiencing a student teaching nightmare and contemplating dropping out after many years of work and much money spent on tuition. I was wondering if any of you still felt the same way about teaching? Was it different than student teaching?

Thank you!

On 3/04/10, NC wrote...See MoreI am currently in the same boat many of you were last year: experiencing a student teaching nightmare and contemplating dropping out after many years of work and much money spent on tuition. I was wondering if any of you still felt the same way about teaching? Was it different than student teaching?

Thank you!

On 3/04/10, NC wrote: > God, thing same thing here. I am an older student returning to > school and feel as if this student teaching portion is going to > drive me crazy. My CT did the same thing. I wanted K-3 and am in > 5th. There was a reason I switched from middle grades back down to > elementary. The kids are great, but coming in 2nd semester and not > know the curriculum (how are you supposed to know all of that in > one month or even two months. I am trying my hardest but it is > never right. I never had to learn the things students do today, so > between trying to understand what I am teaching and also writng > lessons about stuff I don't know is overwhelming. I wish you luck. > > On 2/24/10, Cecy Saucedo wrote: >> I FEEL THE SAME WAY!! it was good to read everyone's >> advice...made me feel better eventhough it wasn't for me >> lol...i'm on my fifth week, on my first assignment...and i can't >> wait for week eight! I get home and feel so stressed out and >> overwhelemed that i start crying... i really do want to be a >> teacher but i've always liked primary grades and they placed me >> in a 6th grade classroom..and my master teacher just gave me the >> books she is using and basically told me to take over with out >> telling me what material she has covered already and what needs >> to be taugh. I'm constantly wondering if im doing things right >> and feeling insecure. All i can really do is pray and keep >> reading advice from teachers and other student teachers who are >> going throught the same experience. :( >> >> >> On 2/04/10, Miss_Texas wrote: >>> First let me commend you for having the guts to confess your >>> feelings! Next, let me tell you as an experienced teacher, now >>> school counselor that you came in at a tough time. Second >>> semester's always more difficult. I don't think anyone I know >>> felt 100% confident in their abilities as a teacher at the >>> point of student teaching. I remember I had student taught 1st >>> grade, so I thought that's all I could do, so I applied for >>> those jobs. I moved up from there to 6th grade and loved it! >>> Finding your niche and were you absolutely belong is key. Harry >>> Wong's book The First Days of School will give you tons of >>> invaluable information. I followed that to the "t" and had >>> excellent classroom management and was even asked to lead >>> workshops on it b/c in my entire career I only had 2 office >>> referrals because I based my classroom management on his >>> principles and it works! Next, make sure you're in the right >>> subject for you. I remember student teaching and being forced >>> to do math lessons, but I was an ELA person...and that was >>> totally out of my element. >>> I know you can do it. You've set a goal for yourself and come >>> this far! A pregnancy lasts nine months, so surely you can >>> stick out 9 tiny weeks of your life and at least see before >>> throwing all of your hard work away, right? >>> Please don't hesitate to contact me. I need to know how things >>> worked out for you! >>> In Texas, best of wishes!

Feb 20, 2012

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Meeting the Class - Introduction

by studentteacher2010

Jan 25, 2010

I am going to be visiting the classroom where I will complete my student teaching a couple weeks prior to starting. I am going to go in and introduce myself to the class. I am trying to figure out what to say to them. It will just be a quick introduction, and I really wont have time for activities or anything since I will just be dropping by. Any s...See More

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studentteacher2010 Thank you for the advice. And, no I really don't know what exactly I will be teaching. I am supposed to teach and create lesson plans on topics that my cooperating teacher gives me.

On 1/25/10, JD wrote: > You could just introduce yourself as Ms./Mr. such-and-such, > and tell them some of the things you have planned to teach > th...See More

Jan 26, 2010

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Old Teach This is really your cooperating teacher's call. Whether you are introduced as a student teacher or whatever other term you want is really up to her. I, personally, see nothing wrong with the term "student teacher". It's what you are, after, and will make no difference in how the students view you. In fact, I think it's nice for kids to have adults ...See More

Feb 4, 2010

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need advice on methods experience

by imerie

Feb 7, 2010

To begin with I should probably explain that my secondary methods class is run a little differently than what I have been told is the norm. For our field experience the six students in my class are dividing up a class the University billed as Painting and Drawing to be taught by "staff", each teaching one lesson. We were given no mandates for what ...See MoreTo begin with I should probably explain that my secondary methods class is run a little differently than what I have been told is the norm. For our field experience the six students in my class are dividing up a class the University billed as Painting and Drawing to be taught by "staff", each teaching one lesson. We were given no mandates for what had to be taught other than it must be 2D. We loosely agreed to try and base our lessons around the human figure so that the unit would be cohesive. This was decided after the first day of class, which was co-taught, in which the student teachers all devised an activity to try to asses the skill level of our students as well as a frank discussion on what they would be interested in learning. As can be expected from teenagers only one came forward that they would like to learn watercolor while the rest just stared blankly. As the first teacher I decided to begin with the basic technique of line drawing with emphasis on expressive line and an introduction into color. I did several exercises with them geared towards getting across the ideas that the type of lines used can create an emotional response in the viewer and then introduced the same with color. As the large project for the section I had the students focus on creating expressive line drawings of a model in several poses geared towards creating an emotional response. I then directed them to choose one of their drawings and apply watercolor to them with an eye towards what colors provoke the emotion that they were trying to portray. For the next piece I challenged them to try using colors to change the feel of their piece, i.e, one student used a bright yellow wash on the model who was holding an umbrella rather than blue. I walked around throughout the lesson demonstrating the techniques on the butcher paper I had placed under their work. By the end of the session each student had multiple marks and painted patches where I had corrected their technique.(I have a rule never to actually touch a students art work.) However when the class had been dismissed one of the students parent came back in saying that her son had told her he hadn't learned anything. I pulled out his work for the day and showed her his progression. She responded by asking me if he had ever been given any actually direction so I pointed out the areas of improvement in the pieces and explained to her that he had been shown and corrected on how to draw his lines and apply the watercolors. Up to this point I was o.k. A little frustrated that I was being accused of not actually teaching, but generally secure in the fact that my teacher did approve the lesson plan and I did stick to it. The true problem came when the parent began telling me that she had expected her son to be learning more advanced techniques and that she had had this problem in all his other art classes. As this was my first parent interaction I didn't know how to tactfully explain that not only had her son not expressed other interests, but he still needed a great deal of work on the more basic techniques. Also unfortunately all that I have been told about the other sessions is that we are focusing on the human figure and what media each teacher is working in so I was unable to answer her questions on what exactly the other lessons were. I also had no teacher in the room with me for support as my teacher was scheduled to teach another workshop at the same time. The parent left frustrated and I went from feeling fantastic that my students had produced such great work and mostly seemed to enjoying their time with me, to agonizing over every minute in the class trying to figure out where it went wrong. I was unable to wait for my mentor to get out of class, so I left her a note on what happened and asked her to please call me. As this is my only day teaching this class I can't personally make certain that there is something geared towards this student. To have to face an frustrated parent the first time out has been incredibly upsetting and I can't reach my mentor. I just don't know what to do.

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vet teacher This is frustrating only because this is the first time you've faced this- my dear, this will not be the last time. I'd say that first - and then say - try not to see this as a win/lose discussion or that it's a discussion where you need to have a meeting of the minds. In fact, I'd also say - that a parent cared about art class and what their child...See More

Feb 12, 2010

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FREE POETRY CDs READ BY VINCENT PRICE, ALEX SCOURBY

by Raftery (retired teacher to pass on free teaching tools)

Feb 9, 2010

Example-Vincent Price reads The Landing Of The Pilgrim Fathers, Thanksgiving Day, Paul Revere's Ride, The Vilage Blacksmith, The Star=Spangled Banner, The New Colossus, The House By The Side Of The Road, Trees, The Barefoot Boy, A Visit From St. Nicholas, Jesse James, Casey At The Bat, America For Me, Casey Jones, In Flanders Fields, America The Be...See More

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Advice Needed

by Cooperating Teacher

Feb 16, 2010

I need some suggestions on how to light a fire under my student teacher. I teach in a middle school resource room for reading, English and math. He is very sports minded so I suggested a theme of the olympics, gave him a list of web sites, newspaper articles that the could use, resources, and he even said that would be something he likes. I have ye...See More

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Sara Approach him directly - why not? Of course be polite but share your concerns. Ask him first how he thinks it's going? Ask him what are his impressions so far? Ask him to tell you one thing he's really enjoyed so far in his student teaching and one thing that he hasn't enjoyed. Ask him if he has one suggestion for improvement.

Then tell him...See More

Feb 16, 2010

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Old Teach Sara has given you some good advice, but it sounds like you need to get "un-nice" here. As a colleague of mine once told her ST, "the name of this course is student teaching, not student watching". It also sounds like you have been spoon-feeding him a bit too much. Sit down with him, be very frank. Review with him the college's requirements for stu...See MoreSara has given you some good advice, but it sounds like you need to get "un-nice" here. As a colleague of mine once told her ST, "the name of this course is student teaching, not student watching". It also sounds like you have been spoon-feeding him a bit too much. Sit down with him, be very frank. Review with him the college's requirements for student teaching. Review your expectations. Set up a schedule for the next week , with specific assignments that he will plan and teach on his own. Give him a specific topic, with goals and guidelines, but do not do his research for him. Make sure he understands that his grade and thus his future as a teacher depends on his showing some effort. If he has been with you more than a week, he should be much further ahead than this.

On 2/16/10, Sara wrote: > Approach him directly - why not? Of course be polite but > share your concerns. Ask him first how he thinks it's going? > Ask him what are his impressions so far? Ask him to tell you > one thing he's really enjoyed so far in his student teaching > and one thing that he hasn't enjoyed. Ask him if he has one > suggestion for improvement. > > Then tell him you have some suggestions for him to improve. > Tell him it's time for him to play a more active role.(he may > not really know how to do a lesson plan or to teach...) I'd > say - give him a lesson plan, let him take it home and see > how he handles it. Give him an easy lesson, very spelled out > that he can follow step by step and see if he lights up a bit. > > Some people including student teachers need very direct > instruction. >> I need some suggestions on how to light a fire under my >> student teacher. I teach in a middle school resource room >> for reading, English and math. He is very sports minded so >> I suggested a theme of the olympics, gave him a list of web >> sites, newspaper articles that the could use, resources, >> and he even said that would be something he likes. I have >> yet to see anything from him relating to this nor have I >> seen any motivation to do anything on his own. If you were >> him how would you like to be approached about this. I would >> like to keep this between us and not involve the >> university.

Feb 21, 2010

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Portfolios - Electronic vs Standard

by Krissy

Feb 17, 2010

I am going to be a student teacher in the Fall and I have heard that during this time it is important to start creating my portfolio. I have heard some teachers say that the trend now is for your portfolio to be electronic and other say that the traditional binder/book form is best. I am leaning more towards the traditional book form but I wanted t...See More

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East End Long Islander You may find that both are needed. I have a friend who's a licensed teacher applying in different places, and one job required a resume in electronic form (Word or RTF or PDF format), several samples of writing including a research paper, a video of her teaching with a copy of the lesson plan and materials - electronically transmittable, her applic...See More

Feb 20, 2010

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Old Teach Are you taking a companion course, such as Student Teaching Seminar along with your student teaching? If so, you will probably prepare your portfolio as part of that. If not, I would advise doing both formats.

On 2/20/10, East End Long Islander wrote: > You may find that both are needed. I have a friend who's a > licensed teacher ap...See More

Feb 21, 2010

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Gift Ideas

by Colleen

Feb 23, 2010

So I have about 2 weeks left of student teaching and I wanted to do something special for my students. Any cute/fun ideas? They're kindergarteners and the experience has been fantastic.

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Leah Could you print each of them a note listing at least one strength that you noticed in them. For adjectives/ideas, click below

Feb 25, 2010

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Couple of ideas... For the class as a whole... make a classbook with you and each student-write something about each student and include a picture of you and each student.

Buy the class a book and do some special activities with it. Write a personal message and then donate it to the class

For the students... Depending on your situation and CT, per...See More

Feb 26, 2010

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