Student Teacher seeks advice

[ktaarnold]

Hi! I am about to embark on my student teaching. Does anyone have any survival tips for me? I will be teaching 7-12 social studies. Thanks!

[Unregistered]

Set your standards and procedures (Read "The First Day of School" by Harry Wong. (info found on the Teachers.net website) "Smile and say cheese" when the going gets tough, and most important of all, be yourself, don't try to be Mr. or Mrs. so and so, because that won't work, you have to be completely comfortable with your own teaching and discipining style, though ideas and insights are always great, don't make that your be all and end all, if you're not comfortalbe with that particular syle.

Good Luck

[Unregistered]

If There Was One Thing That Was So Important, It Was Being Able To Keep Up With The Young Attitudes In The Class. Make Sure You Pack Up With Proteins That Will Help You Make It Through The Morning Without Being Hungry! Scrambled Egg With Cheese Is Good!~it Really Will Make A Difference. . .also, Make Sure They Know You Mean Business From The Get Go! You Can't Get Them Back Once You Lose Them
Good Luck! It Will Fly By Quickly!

[Unregistered]

Teach from the very first second of class. Save the introductions, syllabus talk, grading issues... until later. Question students constantly on the material and don't call on volunteers. Give them a quiz at the end and grade it strictly. Let them know right from the very get-go that teaching dominates in this classroom and that no one can opt out of the learning.

Well, that is my approach. May not work for you.

[Unregistered]

Hi Student Teacher,
Be yourself and stay away from the gossip!
Give yourself enough sleep and separate your home life with your career!
You must have reflection time (quiet time) to really think about your teaching and why your are teaching what you are teaching.

Enjoy what you teach.............this attitude will send you far!
Teacher of 16 years.

[Unregistered]

I am in my first year of teaching and the most important lesson I have learned is that I have to take time for myself. School work is always going to be there, but it is ok to leave it there at times. Do not take a day where you do not do something of yourself. This is to be a fun time of your life...continue to let it.

[ktaarnold]

Thank you so much for responding to my message. I really appreciate all of the advice. It's a little overwhelming just starting out. I have several teacher friends and their "community" of friends is amazing. Teaching is definately a life long profession

[Unregistered]

Iwas a student teacher 3 years ago and most important for me was a sense of humor. It will take you far and the kids give you a lot of respect for knowing when something is funny, or just too weird. And,without it teaching can be overwhelming.

[Unregistered]

I am still currently a student and am kind of nervous about student teaching and making lesson plans is this normal and does some of the field experiences help you get over this or does making lesson plans come naturally to you. I am so nervous I am considering changing my major but really dont want to do anything else. Please help me!

[Tejas Gal]

Hi! I am about to embark on my student teaching. Does anyone have any survival tips for me? I will be teaching 7-12 social studies. Thanks!

You've received a lot of good advice here. About the best thing I can add is: don't be afraid to ask for help. Some veteran teachers are very protective of "their" ideas, but I've always found that the majority are more than willing to share. Ask, ask, ask! (And feel free to e-mail me or any of the others who've offered that opportunity!)