Any tips for starting student teaching?

Question

I'm going to be student teaching high school students! AAAH! Help!

Answer 1

After reviewing the previous answers, you have some really good advice. I would add a few thoughts. Make sure you know the curriculum and standards for the grade and state where you will do your student teaching. This preparation will serve you well. The day and time of flying by the seat of your pants in a classroom is over. Teachers are very accountable for what their students learn, so it is critical that you know what that content is. When you leave, the teacher and the students are accountable for what was taught.

Spend some time observing your mentor teacher. Ultimately it is his or her classroom, and you are an invited guest. You need to follow their protocols because when you leave, they must pick up the load again. If you work together, it is easier for the students and the regular classroom teacher to make that transition when you graduate.

While you are probably eager to have your own classroom, you will have to wait. This is another teacher's class, and he or she has established the tone. It is best if you work with that in mind. Again, it is best for the kids and the teacher when you transition out into your new life.

Someone pointed out that you will learn not only what you should do, but also what you don't want to do. That is valuable information for your day in front of your very own students. Keep a private journal to sort through your thoughts. Talk things through with your mentor teacher. Ask a gazillion questions. Not only does this help you, it also helps that mentor teacher stay fresh and remember why he or she does things the way he or she does.

As a mentor teacher, I would share with you that it is hard to give up my class. I miss that time with my students, and it complicates planning because now two minds are involved in the organizing, instructing, and assessing of that classroom, which means it takes longer to do this critical work. This isn't easy for a teacher. After all, one of the things we like about teaching is being in charge.

Do uphold classroom standards, don't play students against the regular teacher, smile, let kids know you enjoy them, find something specific to tell each student that you appreciate about his or her work, thinking, sense of humor, etc. Humans love to be acknowledged.

Finally, listen to the other teachers and try to get in to observe them when you can. Success in teaching depends on successfully borrowing what someone else is doing well and making it your own. When the time comes, share willingly with others. Our goal is to do what is best for our students, and solid collaboration promotes this.

Best of luck--we need good teachers!!!

Answer 2

You're going to love it! If you have the sense to scream now, that already shows you're alert to the possibilities.

First, I suggest choosing your battles. Everything will not be perfect. It's like that old prayer, change the things you can, accept the things you can't, and know the difference.

Second, stay on the cooperating teacher's good side. You will have differences, but at least pretend to go along with his/her ideas while you are in his/her class and if nothing else, learn what you don't want to do. You'll be surprised, I think, about how much you will realize they were right about later.

Third, a lot of us want to save the world, but if any student interferes with your ability to teach the rest of the students, then you should not put up with it. Deal with it as best you can on your own, but when you cannot do it by yourself, use the resources available to you to regain control. Do not use cooperating teachers and administrators as a crutch, but do use them.

I have a list of 20 tips for new teachers, too, on my site below, but some of them will not be useful to you until you're out from under someone else's wing. Good luck!

Answer 3

Good luck with that! I did my student teaching with 11th graders and it was both exhausting and a great experience. Just think of it as putting together everything you have been taught in all your education and methods classes, although you won't remember everything, but as you go along, it does get easier and some things will come back to you. Just remember, some will hate you, some will love you, but you have to be fair. And try not to be their friend, that is what you are NOT there for. If you think you're not a creative person in planning lessons, don't worry, that will come out and ideas will start pouring out. Just be yourself and listen to and watch your cooperating teacher, they probably know the students and their behaviors pretty well. One last thing, don't worry what they think of you, it just matters what your cooperating teacher and advisor think. Students at that age will not want to do anything because youre so close in age, don't let that ruin the experience. Good luck!

Answer 4

Find out what works for you. You are not going to teach the same way as your supervising teacher or any of the teachers that you have had in the past.

Make connections with your students. This does not necessarily mean being their friends, but rather finding out about them as individuals and being able to relate to them. Be interested in them as people, rather than just students.

If possible try to make the material relevant. Relate it to their lives, our society . . . whatever might allow them to form connections with it.

Don't be afraid to admit that you don't know the answer to a question.

Use the resources around you. Most teachers are more than willing to give you everything they have if it will be beneficial.

Finally, sometimes you will find that you will have to release control and let the discussion/class proceed along an avenue that has captured the student's attention.

Answer 5

Well be lucky that you have a back ground in knowledge of how to teach. When i started my last teaching gig i was a highschool student in a town that was too cheap to pay for teachers for accelerated students. So I taught pre algebra to a first grader. I learned that you should get to know your class and then you can figure out from there whats best for the class.

Answer 6

First, show no fear. You are capable and know your subject better than any student you will have. Be fair, consistent, and show a sense of humor. The biggest mistake you can make as a student teacher OR as a beginning teacher is that you want to be friends with your students. You are the adult!! They want leadership, a good role model, and a person who respects them. They DO NOT want to be your friend.

I taught for 26 years and was a HS principal for 14 years. I remember my first year when the Asst. Principal told me he thought I would someday be a good teacher as soon as I realized I was in charge and had the respect of my students. He was right!!

Good luck!! You will do fine!!

Answer 7

Hahahaha. Im in high school so I know your position from the student's side. Here we go. The kids will try to nudge your nerves a bit. Just ignore it. Really. They try to make teaching look REALLY hard because they all act like jerks. Just dont let them get to you. Make friends with the students. If you do, they will REALLY like you. Even if it's one kid per class, it will make a HUGE difference in your day.
Good Luck!

Answer 8

1. HAVE A GOOD SENSE OF HUMOUR... You will need it. It you can laugh thing soff them it will be an easy transition for you.
2. Be firm and stick to any promises and threats, do what you say you will do or they will walk all over you.
3. Let them know that you are human too
REMEMBER WE WERE ALL ONCE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS..

Answer 9

Be firm- don't be too friendly or silly, you have a job to do.
Be flexible- you never know what kids will throw at you from one day to the next.
Keep your sense of humor- you've got to laugh at the silly little things.
Be open minded to support from your cooperative teacher and other staff.
Don't expect perfection- it's a learning experience. Try your best and learn from it.
Goo luck!

Answer 10

I did my share of student teaching and it was great. Just be fair and willing to be flexible. You will do great !