advice/tips for student teaching?

by BAJ

Aug 19, 2010

Good afternoon!

I begin student teaching on August 23rd and I am extremely nervous. I've read my school's handbook in and out, and I have read the supervising teacher's handbook as well. I have already noticed one or two problems. For instance, my assigned teacher was supposed to contact me, but she never did.

However, I did contact her and I'll be meeting tomorrow! So nervous!

My orientation session won't be until AFTER the school semester begins so I feel like I am "flying blind" so to speak. The first day of my student teaching is also the very first day of school for the entire district.

How can I make the day easier? I think it is important that my supervising teacher focuses on the students and I don't want to get in the way at all. It's not about me! The first day should have 100% attention on the students. I guess these are questions I should ask my sup tomorrow. What advice do you have as I prepare for this meeting?

I got off to a b...See More

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Judy2/CA One thing to remember is that the reason you student teach is to learn/practice all the things that the classroom can't teach you. Nobody expects you to know everything. And some of the things you learn will be different for every school. Be confident in the knowledge you have and be willing to learn what you don't - you'll be fine!

On 8/...See More

Aug 22, 2010

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Carolyn I guess I have a totally different take on student teaching. I believe the student teacher needs to jump right in and take over as soon as possible. I know most STing requires some observation at first, but I look at it this way: I did all the observing I could before I became a ST. It was time for me to take charge.

My cooperating teacher...See MoreI guess I have a totally different take on student teaching. I believe the student teacher needs to jump right in and take over as soon as possible. I know most STing requires some observation at first, but I look at it this way: I did all the observing I could before I became a ST. It was time for me to take charge.

My cooperating teachers gave me their classrooms the second day of my ST. At first I was shocked, but that told me they had confidence in my abilities, and they saw the initiative in me.

Solid advice:

1. You know nothing yet, so don't act like you do (this applies to first year teachers as well) 2. Two ears, one mouth -- which means you listen more than you speak. 3. Do NOT call off sick unless really, really sick 4. Do NOT show up late to school 5. Watch other teachers and learn what to do, and what not to do. The real world environment will teach you much, much more than anything you learn in teaching school 5. Be prepared to spend a long time looking for a job. 6. Don't let anyone tell you subbing will "get you in the door". It's a combination of timing and good luck. I got my teaching job through the power of prayer (I really did!) 7. Show initiative and competence 8. Treat the students with kindness, care and compassion. You're not their "real teacher" and no matter how well they respond to you, that's the best you'll be seen in their eyes. So, treat them well and they will return the favor. and most important:

FIND COMFY SHOES!

On 8/22/10, Judy2/CA wrote: > One thing to remember is that the reason you student teach is to > learn/practice all the things that the classroom can't teach you. > Nobody expects you to know everything. And some of the things you learn > will be different for every school. Be confident in the knowledge you > have and be willing to learn what you don't - you'll be fine! > > > > On 8/22/10, BAJ wrote: > > >> @Zach: I guess what I meant was I didn't want my supervising >> teacher to have to worry about my needs on the first day of school. >> First days are pretty hectic and stressful for teachers and >> students. I usually jump right in and help out when I can--talk to >> students, go around the room to check on work, collect papers, and >> so forth. My first practicum teacher praised me for doing >> those "simple things" as she called it. >> >> And you know, you are right. I am sort of confident when it comes >> to teaching and I know a little bit about behavior management but >> what worries me is all that behind the scenes stuff. As in, how do >> you really plan all those long term units, build a successful >> teaching calender, and do all those other little things? These are >> things my education in college really hasn't touched on. Sure, I >> can write a lesson and deliver it and then assess learning (still >> growing in those areas, no doubt), but what about everything else? >> >> @Judy: I am really glad to be starting on a first day so I can see >> what it is like from the "other side of the aisle." I've had plenty >> of first days as a student, now I get to see one as a teacher. >> (Weeeell, teacher in training, but you get the point.) >> >> I like your notebook idea and I think I may try to implement >> something similiar with my teacher. Thank you so much! >> >> Thanks you two for your comments. They were very insightful.

Sep 2, 2010

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BAJ Thanks Carolyn. My university has a set plan with regards to control in the classroom. I am required to follow it. I don't think I would have been ready to take over the classroom that early though I have been helping out as much as I can. Besides, I think it would have been a shock for the kids since I started the very first day of school. It was ...See MoreThanks Carolyn. My university has a set plan with regards to control in the classroom. I am required to follow it. I don't think I would have been ready to take over the classroom that early though I have been helping out as much as I can. Besides, I think it would have been a shock for the kids since I started the very first day of school. It was hard enough for the supervising teacher to teach them the routines and procedures. She didn't want me to get in the way of that.

Thank you for all the great advice and a big nod to the comfy shoes bit!

On 9/02/10, Carolyn wrote: > I guess I have a totally different take on student teaching. I believe the > student teacher needs to jump right in and take over as soon as possible. I > know most STing requires some observation at first, but I look at it this > way: I did all the observing I could before I became a ST. It was time for > me to take charge. > > My cooperating teachers gave me their classrooms the second day of my ST. > At first I was shocked, but that told me they had confidence in my > abilities, and they saw the initiative in me. > > Solid advice: > > 1. You know nothing yet, so don't act like you do (this applies to first > year teachers as well) > 2. Two ears, one mouth -- which means you listen more than you speak. > 3. Do NOT call off sick unless really, really sick > 4. Do NOT show up late to school > 5. Watch other teachers and learn what to do, and what not to do. The real > world environment will teach you much, much more than anything you learn > in teaching school > 5. Be prepared to spend a long time looking for a job. > 6. Don't let anyone tell you subbing will "get you in the door". It's a > combination of timing and good luck. I got my teaching job through the > power of prayer (I really did!) > 7. Show initiative and competence > 8. Treat the students with kindness, care and compassion. You're not their > "real teacher" and no matter how well they respond to you, that's the best > you'll be seen in their eyes. So, treat them well and they will return the > favor. > and most important: > > FIND COMFY SHOES! > > On 8/22/10, Judy2/CA wrote: >> One thing to remember is that the reason you student teach is to >> learn/practice all the things that the classroom can't teach you. >> Nobody expects you to know everything. And some of the things you learn >> will be different for every school. Be confident in the knowledge you >> have and be willing to learn what you don't - you'll be fine! >> >> >> >> On 8/22/10, BAJ wrote: >> >> >>> @Zach: I guess what I meant was I didn't want my supervising >>> teacher to have to worry about my needs on the first day of school. >>> First days are pretty hectic and stressful for teachers and >>> students. I usually jump right in and help out when I can--talk to >>> students, go around the room to check on work, collect papers, and >>> so forth. My first practicum teacher praised me for doing >>> those "simple things" as she called it. >>> >>> And you know, you are right. I am sort of confident when it comes >>> to teaching and I know a little bit about behavior management but >>> what worries me is all that behind the scenes stuff. As in, how do >>> you really plan all those long term units, build a successful >>> teaching calender, and do all those other little things? These are >>> things my education in college really hasn't touched on. Sure, I >>> can write a lesson and deliver it and then assess learning (still >>> growing in those areas, no doubt), but what about everything else? >>> >>> @Judy: I am really glad to be starting on a first day so I can see >>> what it is like from the "other side of the aisle." I've had plenty >>> of first days as a student, now I get to see one as a teacher. >>> (Weeeell, teacher in training, but you get the point.) >>> >>> I like your notebook idea and I think I may try to implement >>> something similiar with my teacher. Thank you so much! >>> >>> Thanks you two for your comments. They were very insightful.

Sep 4, 2010

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katie p. You learn really quickly that you really never learned anything until student teaching! Every profession should have something of the sort. It's AWESOME that you got to see the first day of school! I just had my first first day and was very nervous because I didn't know how things were supposed to go! I started teaching last January so coming in in...See More

Sep 5, 2010

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Sara Teaching is something that's learned on the job - many jobs are and teaching is one more. Everyone can be nervous with transitions and teaching is not a job that one can hide behind a desk while doing.

What's your fear? Now you're on the job - your co-op teacher may be great or may be lousy but your presence is something she/he has allowe...See MoreTeaching is something that's learned on the job - many jobs are and teaching is one more. Everyone can be nervous with transitions and teaching is not a job that one can hide behind a desk while doing.

What's your fear? Now you're on the job - your co-op teacher may be great or may be lousy but your presence is something she/he has allowed. Is this their first time as a coop teacher? No matter - this is something they've allowed -some teachers Never take on a student teacher and your coop teacher has.

She/he should let you know what to do and what not to do - it's different from coop to coop. As a student teacher - and I was in my 30s when I did my student teaching - I kept a quiet profile, always smiling and never intruding. I did what I was asked to and and with a smile. I learned 'the lay of the land' and watched other teachers - I tried not to overstep my bounds but found at that school, they appreciated student teachers with initiative. So long as I was smiling.

In fact, they hired me after I finished student teaching. Here's what I'd say - there are many 'divas' in teaching. People can go into teaching because they like control, they like order, they like being in charge of the small kingdom that a classroom can be. Teachers can have interesting issues and there can be a lot of drama between classroom teachers.

A drama free student teacher can be a blessing - coming on board to help can be very well-received. Your desire to not cause trouble or distract your co-op teacher will put you in good stead.

I don't think you have anything to be nervous about but it's natural to be nervous when stepping into the classroom. Good luck! > @Zach: I guess what I meant was I didn't want my supervising > teacher to have to worry about my needs on the first day of school. > First days are pretty hectic and stressful for teachers and > students. I usually jump right in and help out when I can--talk to > students, go around the room to check on work, collect papers, and > so forth. My first practicum teacher praised me for doing > those "simple things" as she called it. > > And you know, you are right. I am sort of confident when it comes > to teaching and I know a little bit about behavior management but > what worries me is all that behind the scenes stuff. As in, how do > you really plan all those long term units, build a successful > teaching calender, and do all those other little things? These are > things my education in college really hasn't touched on. Sure, I > can write a lesson and deliver it and then assess learning (still > growing in those areas, no doubt), but what about everything else? > > @Judy: I am really glad to be starting on a first day so I can see > what it is like from the "other side of the aisle." I've had plenty > of first days as a student, now I get to see one as a teacher. > (Weeeell, teacher in training, but you get the point.) > > I like your notebook idea and I think I may try to implement > something similiar with my teacher. Thank you so much! > > Thanks you two for your comments. They were very insightful.

Sep 8, 2010

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