Student Teaching

[sheri3]

I will be doing my student teaching this Fall. I would appreciate it if anyone can give me some tips that will help me make the most of my experience. I would like to know what are the most important things that I should pay attention to so that when I begin teaching, I will be more prepared.

[awaxler]

Here a few tips:

Remember that you can learn from any experience. When I did my student teaching I worked with 2 different teachers at 2 different grade levels. One was a fantastic teacher, the other was...well...not. However, both were great learning experiences. From one teacher I learned what to do, form the other I learned what NOT to do.

No matter what though make sure you have a good working relationship with your cooperating teacher. This is a major connection as far as getting a job goes. Whether in that school or one near by.

For that same reason get to know as many of the staff members as possible.

And, make sure you use your student teaching to work on your teaching strategies. This is YOUR student teaching and YOU are paying for it...definitely get the most out of it. Don't be afraid to try new things.

Good Luck,
Adam Waxler

Ask your cooperating to teacher to see as many different teachers work as possible. I'm a middle level science teacher, I went to see all types of teachers and learned a ton.

I learned the most by watching elementary, and middle social studies teachers. You learn so much about class management by seeing other styles. Make sure to do that.

I too am going to be doing my student teaching this coming Fall. I'm really excited and nervous about the whole experience. But I also know that, like Adam said, any experience is a learning experience! I'm really looking forward to getting into the classroom and trying out a lot of the new things I have learned along the way. One thing I would remember is to try and have patience. No doubt that there will be some rough spots, and some times when you'll feel like you want to tear your hair out. Just take a deep breath and try to get through it all. That's what I plan to do!

Wishing you the best of luck!
Sara

Do exactly as you are told. Question nothing, even if it is clearly unethical or even illegal. **************** up to your supervisor, even if he doesn't show up in your class for 3 months. **************** up to your mentor teacher, even if he sleeps through your classes.

Say nothing negative until the day you have that grimy credential paper in your hands.

Always remember: you can be told your are passing, then given an incomplete, 6 weeks more work to do, and then failed. You can put in a year of the hardest work you've ever paid for the priviledge to do, and be handed nothing but humiliation.

Don't rock the boat. Don't try to have fun. Simply exist to fullfill whatever is asked of you.

I wish you the best. I wish you a credential at the end, and not just a bunch of student loans.

Prepare lesson plan ahead of time!!! All the other stuff is gravy. You will most likely get a student teaching packet to complete a student teacher notebook. No problem...everything is provided. The philosophies of teaching and management...whatever...you probably already have those along with a template for a lesson plan. The problem is...(as mine is right now!!!) I don't have (excuse my language) a ****************ing idea in my head or how to go about teaching it...actually that's not true...I just don't have a hook or anticpatory set. If it wasn't for that...I would just start passing out handouts and winging it. I am petrified because I need to come up with four weeks of lesson plans...I only have a few ideas. I would try to find a teacher who will be teaching your content area and review the syllabus. Make as many lesson plans you can to cover the 9 week period or however long. Don't delay!!!Believe it!!! You don't want to end up like me!!!!