working while student teaching

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Student Teaching Chatboard

working while student teaching

by ashley

Jul 26, 2012

I begin student teaching this fall. I moved off campus to another city in order to be closer to the schools at which I will be teaching as my car is old and not exactly reliable. I am wondering what job would be best to help ensure I have enough money to pay bills and still be able to devote plenty of time and energy to my student teaching. HELP!

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oldteach On 7/26/12, ashley wrote: > I begin student teaching this fall. I moved off campus to > another city in order to be closer to the schools at which > I will be teaching as my car is old and not exactly > reliable. I am wondering what job would be best to help > ensure I have enough money to pay bills and still be able > to devote p...See MoreOn 7/26/12, ashley wrote: > I begin student teaching this fall. I moved off campus to > another city in order to be closer to the schools at which > I will be teaching as my car is old and not exactly > reliable. I am wondering what job would be best to help > ensure I have enough money to pay bills and still be able > to devote plenty of time and energy to my student > teaching. HELP!

I am a retired teacher who had many student teachers in my long career. Please believe that I understand the financial constraints on today's college students, esp. non-tradition students. However, I cannot emphasize strongly enough what a really bad idea it is to try to hold down a job while you student teach.

What most new STs don't realize is what a huge time commitment student teaching is. You will be expected to be there at least 30-45 minutes before the start of the teaching day and to remain at least 60 minutes after school, longer if your cooperating teacher requests it. You will also need to attend staff meetings, after school functions, parent conferences , PETs and PTA meetings, as well as any other function your CT asks you to attend, often in the evenings. ( This is no more than you will do as a teacher). In addition to your in-school workload, you will need to correct work, prepare lesson plans, units and do assignments for Senior Seminar, or whatever your college calls it. ( This is the companion course you take that helps you prepare your portfolio, certification applications and application packages for jobs. That usually requires 6-8 hours a week, sometimes more toward the end.) In other words, you can expect to be putting in 10-12 hour days, incl. time on week-ends.

Why is this important for you to know? Student teaching is not only your chance to observe and learn fron a master teacher, but it is a chance for you to showcase your skills for future employers, even if you do not intend to teach where you student each. There are no more important documents in your application portfolio than the evaluations and recommendations of your cooperating teachers. Those are the first things any search committee or supt. looks for.

If, after considering this, you really feel you have to work, look for a job with very flexible hours and only on week-ends. I would recommend no more than 12-15 hrs a week. I think even that will be a reach. Remember you can never, ever use your job as an excuse for not doing an assignment or not doing something well.

Sometimes, schools will hire STs to do tutoring or work in after school programs or rec programs.You might also look into Sylvan Learning. They pay very well and it is only a few hours a week.

I did have some student teachers who tried to work while student teaching. None did it successfully and most quit their job after a few weeks when they realized they just couldn't do it.

Is there any chance you can get reassigned so you can remain at home or on campus while you student teach? Whatever you decide, best of luck to you.

Aug 8, 2012

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