Student Teaching in College??

Question

I know you have to student teach for about 5-6 months. How did that experience go for you? lol, I'm kinda dreading it right now...just want an idea on what to expect

Thanks

Answer 1

I am doing a two-year program (it's a Canadian B.Ed program that is only open to people who already have one undergraduate degree). For the first year we "student teach" two days per week, but we are mainly there to observe. We do a lot of small-group and one-on-one stuff, and we help our partner teachers any way we can (marking, photocopying, adapting worksheets, etc). In our third semester (fall of our second year) we do real student teaching four days per week. We teach as many classes per day as a real teacher would.

I am really enjoying my student teaching. Because I'm quite young, a lot of the students can relate to me. I'm surprised by how many middle school students get the urge to run up and hug the student teacher (isn't that supposed to be uncool?). I spend half my day working with a teacher who uses a very teacher-centered methodology (note-taking, textbook reading, lectures, etc.) and the other half with a teacher whose methodology is very student-centered (inquiry, exploration, projects, changing group roles, etc.). It's so fantastic to contrast the old style with the new style. The more you talk to your supervising teacher the better things will go.

Answer 2

It was like nothing I think I'll ever get again. It's not real teaching, not even close. But it's the best they can do. You go in there, feel strange, you're teacher is always trying to get you to step up, but you can't step up because you just met these kids two days ago and they all know you're just a student too. But in this you get to have an amazing experience- almost like you're their peer and role model. I still talk to many of the students I student taught, most are in college now.

I definitely like teaching better than student teaching... and I'm better at just being a normal teacher too. Don't worry about stumbling through it. You won't be a real teacher during this time, so don't expect to be one or judge yourself as one. But don't dread it either. It's fun, and interesting, and a one in a lifetime experience to be neither student or teacher.

Answer 3

That just depends on what school you go to, what grade your assigned to, and what teacher you work with. I personally had a wonderful internship. I was placed at a good school and with an amazing teacher, who took the time to teach me everything she could think of. Then I've had friends who had the exact opposite experience. Some of these things you cannot control.
I understand you are worried (as we all were). Please know that your teacher more than likely will not thrust you right into taking over classes. He/she will let you observe them and give you one or two classes at a time. Only after that will you take over completely.
This is really great time also to observe others teachers and ask a lot of questions, and to get as much advice for that first year of teaching.

Answer 4

Student Teaching requirements vary depending on the kind of program you're in, but since you asked I think there are a few things that I can share.

I agree with the answer that claims its not real teaching, but it's as close as they can get.

It is an experience for you to learn how to be a teacher and to practice being a teacher. It has been the most challenging part of my professional life so far, and the most rewarding. All these people have all these expectations for you, which is challenging for you to balance with your need to learn what you need to know to become a teacher, and really, only you know what you need to know.

Answer 5

It really depends on the school environment and the teacher. My master teacher is very high strung and does things that I would never do. And at the same time, there were other people in my class who had great master teachers. It depends on where you are and who your teacher is.