Hi! This is my first post, I have been browsing PT for a few days, and love how everyone here is so supportive and creative!
I will begin student teaching in a couple weeks, and I would like feedback and suggestions from current teachers and previous student teachers about how
- What are your suggestions for student teachers?
- From your experience, what makes student teacher stand out from the rest?
- Please give any other advice you think student teachers should know.
I student taught last semester and had a wonderful experience.
* Go in early if possible or stay late. (Sometimes I did both!)
* Make yourself available~if you see something that can be done-do it. Bulletin boards, stamping calendars, checking homework, etc.
* Be flexible, sometimes the best laid plans don't work out.
* Find a time to meet with your mentor to discuss lesson plans or reflect on lessons, but respect that she will want her own time and space too.
* To stand out, I would plan inventive lessons that align with standards. Also, be on top of classroom management. THis is a biggie-administrators want to see that you can handle the class. They are looking for future teachers.
* If you are able to, take on extra activities-recess duty, after school tutoring with mentor, etc.
* Also, find out what your mentor prefers. My mentor had several student teachers before me, so she knew what to expect and was willing to let me take control of the class. I volunteered to pick the class up from lunch and specials so that she could have extra time. She loved it. However, my friend was student teaching down the hall and her mentor wanted to be with the students at all times. She was very upset if my friend tried to pick the students up alone. So it is very important not to overstep your boundaries.
Sorry this was so long. I hope you have a wonderful experience. You will do a great job-you can tell that you are excited and want to do your best!
I know classroom management is a big one, I will definitely focus my attention on that. Hopefully, my master teacher will trust me over time let me take over her class certain parts of the day. Keep 'em coming!
The one that stuck out to me is flexibility!! I just finished student teaching in a primary resource room in June. My teacher was very appreciative of my flexibility. I didn't always FEEL flexible, but even if I did not agree or want to do as she asked, I not only did it, but I smiled as I did it, . I got a glowing evaluation and I really did end up having an ok experience. My university professors really stressed that we did not have to agree with our coop teachers...but we should do as they asked with a great attitude. The goal is to leave with a glowing eval and get a job!!
One other thing. I had no problem with this, but I did notice that some of my younger classmates did.....when your coop. teacher or univ. supervisor ask you how you could have done a lesson, etc. differently...really reflect on it. Don't be defensive or make excuses about the kids' behavior, etc. We all know that there are times when it isn't entirely our fault that something doesn't come off as planned, BUT, the idea is to let your supervisors see that you know things could always be better and you are always thinking and reflecting about how they could be better. GOOD LUCK!! It will go fast!
1. So much is conveyed to students by means other than verbal. When you teacher is teaching look carefully and listen. Teaching is really an art.
2. Ask questions...what, why, how. Learn not only what your teacher does in a particular situation but why. Don't be afraid to challenge...pick their brain.
3. Be on time and be prepared...be prepared. If you know you will be presenting an assignment tomorrow read the assignment - look for possible lulls...problem areas....compnesate.
4. Use everything you've learned and modeled from your teacher.
5. I'm sure your teacher won't expect you to copy them as you'll need to find your style. However, until you do emulate your teacher until you feel comfortable enough to successfully deviate. I didn't mind my student teachers trying to find their style...the caveat is it can't be at the expense of student learning.
6. Ask your teacher to critique you often. After each session that my student teacher taught we would sit down and talk about it - what could have been done more effectively, what worked...why.
7. Here are some traits of students who " stood out":
*They gave 110%
*They took ownership and responsibility
*They asked for additional experiences - grading papers, meetings, assignments
*They analyze everything...what, why...are there options. They questioned and challenged me...they learned through the process.
*They started early and stayed late
Some observations on challengs some student teachers created:
*5th grade boys are very, very much aware of body changes and are interested in sex. Short skirts, tight tops, see through blouses are a no no.
*When you enter the classroom your cell phone should go off and stay off until lunch or after school.
*When you enter the classroom try and put everything else aside...boyfriend/girlfriend issues, dates, parties, job considerations and so on. Although we try to be empathetic our concern is student learning.
*Don't try to adlib...if you're not prepared it will show in a heartbeat. Know the material you are teaching, practice delivery.
Anyone can teach...it is hard and challenging to be a good teacher...it is so much work and preparation. Oftentimes student teachers think it is an 8 hour a day job...it's not. If you're new and you come to work unprepared it will be a nightmare...you'll know it, the kids will know and and your teacher will know it.
I hope this helps. I think student teaching is a fantastic opportunity if you take advantage of it...you'll never regret it.
I agree with the other posters their advice is exact! I just finished student teaching last semester. You need to do more than what is expected of you if you want to stand out. I went to teacher meetings and school events to help out. I was always prepared and on time. I built good rapport with the VP and principal as well as other teachers in the building. Don't be afraid to ask questions and advice from others if there is something that you don't understand! Above all have fun! Don't feel discouraged if you make a mistake, remember you are a student teacher and are there to learn as well!Good luck!!!
I had a very difficult student teaching last semester. I truly love teaching and know that I will be a great teacher (as soon as I figure out NCLB complaince and Cali. licensing!). However, my student teaching was a challenge because I felt I was always playing catch up with my coop. teacher. Here is some advice that would have helped a lot when I did my ST
1) Go in a few days before you officially begin. Ask if you can help set up the class (if it's before the school year starts). If it's after, ask to volunteer a few days to get to know the students.
2) Find a time to sit down with your teacher and ask questions. Provide the teacher with a copy of your univ.'s requirements for you and discuss them. Things to talk about is how you start, lesson plans, projects/quizzes/tests, standards, policies & procedures, etc.
-Do you have to observe for a certain number of days?
-How many days to you have to be in charge of everything in the classroom (ie the teacher in charge!)?
-How do you take over the class? Is it one subject at a time or observing and helping, then everything at once?
-How many days in advance does she want your lesson plans?
-Is there a major project that the grade will be doing? When?
-What is required for grades (ie a certain number per week? what kind?)
3) Get a good plan book and grade book. I would recommend the Waverly 3-line grade book. It's the one talked about in Harry Wong's book The First Days of School. It really is great and super helpful for staying organized. Also, I found the Scholastic Plan Book was really easy to use. Not a lot of "stuff" to figure out and the quotes for each week were really nice to have to help motivate me.
4) Purchase a great "teacher" bag. What I mean is a big shoulder bag to carry your stuff around in. Make it something you feel attractive carrying. That sounds silly but it does make a difference. It's like a business woman with a really gorgeous briefcase, it's all part of the image. A ratty backpack does not give you the same aura of responsibility that a "grown up" bag does.
5) Pack your bag with the thing that you need.
-A binder with all of your univ. requirements.
-Your grade book, plan book and a FANTASTIC planner (like an assignment planner. Mead's upper class has been my planner of choice for about 5 years now)
-A couple of mechanical pencils. Nothing is more annoying than the teacher having to sharpen a pencil!
-A few pens. Try not to use red for grading. Even if you write something positive on a paper students see the red and automatically assoicate it with something negative. Try purple or green.
-One or two highlighers
-A permanent marker
-An organized way to take home papers to grade. A durable, plastic accordian file in a bright color works really well. Designate a slot for each subject you are going to be responsible for. You shouldn't have more than one assignment per subject per night. If you do, that may be too much work for your students AND you!
-A whistle. This is great in the class to get attention and on the playground. It is a nightmare to try and get the attention of 1 class when 4 are on the playground with you.
-A snack for you. Pick something easy to eat throughout the day like goldfish or cereal. You wouldn't believe how often your stomach rumbles. Choice flavored water or a sports drink for a drink. Soda will kill you. The sugar high happens then you crash and burn before the day is out.
6) Wear nice but comfortable shoes. Those heels are great for meetings and interviews but will KILL your feet. Cute flats are wonderful along with those Gellin' insoles.
7) Be flexible. Do what you can when you can for anyone you can!
8) Eat lunch with your teacher a few days a week but if there are other interns in your school try and eat with them at least once a week. Shared misery, joy, and experiences are so much more fun and meaningful! You'll also find them a great support system. Sometimes it can be really hard to deal with your coop. teacher and your fellow interns are all in the same boat.
Good luck and be positive. You're almost a teacher!
This is my 3rd year teaching. My most important piece of advice is this: If you are not compatable or "clicking" with your cooperating teacher right away.....INSIST of anothe placement!!!!!!!! My student teaching experience was horrible because I choose to "stick it out" with a teacher that had no business being a "mentor".
-ask questions, then listen to the answers, take notes, write things down
-reflect, know yourself, your strengths, your weak areas to work on
Three student teacher later, here are some things I could add
-take advantage of this time in a school to soak up all possible experiences, staff meetings, parent meetings, grade group meetings, report cards, marking, supervision, after school stuff - its all part of the package.
-If you get a prep, observe or volunteer in another grade, to expose yourself to more information and more experiences.
-Get some file folders and make copies of everything you are allowed to copy, from everyone. File by grade, by subject, by theme, by month - whatever will help you find them again. There is a wealth of experience and material that you have at your fingertips, so take it all!
-don't speak to parents about their child - leave that to the classroom teacher - remember confidentiality and do not speak about individual children out of the building.
-enjoy the experience, and I hope you get a mentor teacher you are compatible with!
"This is my 3rd year teaching. My most important piece of advice is this: If you are not compatable or "clicking" with your cooperating teacher right away.....INSIST of anothe placement!!!!!!!! My student teaching experience was horrible because I choose to "stick it out" with a teacher that had no business being a "mentor"."
Wow, I would probably disagree. I had a horrible mentor who hated kids, hated student teacher, hated everyone in administration, etc.
But...I stuck it out because we had 2 other student teachers that told their supervisors their concerns and somehow it made them look bad.
I personally think you can learn from bad teachers even though it may be a horrible experience for you personally. If nothing else, you are making the student's lives a little better.
my student teaching assignment was tough...6th grade math and reading. But I stuck it out and did the best I could. My cooperating teacher was very knowledgeable but blunt with me. She told me that she was going to give me a passing grade in the course...but that was just so that I could get a job! I was shocked that she said this...but never showed it emotionally. I cried later! I mean, I was a college student with no teaching experience and only 12 weeks of student teaching under my belt!
to make a long story short...do the best you can. It all comes down to how you do on your own when you have your own class to teach.
I don't have my own classroom yet...but I am substitute teaching and I am constantly being praised for being a "good sub" by the classroom teachers who I fill in for.
My mentor teacher while I was student teaching was a racist piece of trash that had know business being a teacher. She made up her mind about me on the first day without even talking to me. She tried to set me up with the PE teacher because we were the same race. Like that made us soul mates or something. Then she told I don't think the principal is hiring any new teachers this year. I should have asked to be moved somewhere else but I stuck it out. This was the worst sixteen weeks of my life. my mentor teacher during my resident year made up for the hell I went through though. I am still very angry at this beast. I have to have it out with her. So I can let go of this anger and resentment I still have.
I want her to retire soon so she doesn't taint anymore innocent children in her class. I want to talk to her now that I have my own class and let her know she didn't stop me and I am going to be a better teacher than she ever will be in her 26 years of teaching. Old bitter burnt out witch.
My mentor teacher while I was student teaching was a racist piece of trash that had no business being a teacher. She made up her mind about me on the first day without even talking to me. She tried to set me up with the PE teacher because we were the same race. Like that made us soul mates or something. Then she told I don't think the principal is hiring any new teachers this year. I should have asked to be moved somewhere else but I stuck it out. This was the worst sixteen weeks of my life. my mentor teacher during my resident year made up for the hell I went through though. I am still very angry at this beast. I have to have it out with her. So I can let go of this anger and resentment I still have.
I want her to retire soon so she doesn't taint anymore innocent children in her class. I want to talk to her now that I have my own class and let her know she didn't stop me and I am going to be a better teacher than she ever will be in her 26 years of teaching. Old bitter burnt out witch.
08-08-2007, 01:12 PM
as I did it, 
. I got a glowing evaluation and I really did end up having an ok experience. My university professors really stressed that we did not have to agree with our coop teachers...but we should do as they asked with a great attitude. The goal is to leave with a glowing eval and get a job!!
Simple View
