Why can't you work when you student teach?

Question

I am currently a full time student and I work about 30-32 hours a week. I am just curious why they tell you not to work. Or has someone worked and done student teaching at the same time?

Answer 1

It is a general rule that you shouldn't student teach and work at the same time. However, this really isn't a rule and you can do whatever you want. People advise that you don't work due to the time constraints and the work/ effort that is supposed to be devoted to student teaching. I did work nights while I student taught because I had bills to pay. I wouldn't suggest it because it was stressful and tiring, but if you must, you must.

Answer 2

Wow, I don't know how you all CAN work and student teach!! I teach special education, and there is nooo way I could hold a second job... well... i mean besides being a full time mother and soon to be wife. I teach 6 class hours a day, and sometimes I have three different lesson plans, per day, per hour. Then you have after/ before school duties (dances, bus duty, clubs, staff meetings, IEP meetings, tutoring, detentions coursework to maintain certification, workshops, and of course grading papers)
When I was doing my student teaching, all I wanted to do was sleep. ( I still have days like that! )

I think it is advised not to work, so that you can learn about writing lesson plans, do research, meet with your cooperating teacher before and after school as well as learn about some of those outside duties. I know I had to keep a daily jounal as well as write a few papers, create bulletin boards and games. I just don't think to be an effective student teacher you can do all this and continue working a second job)

However, I noticed that many of you said that is how you paid for college. Look into grants. OFten, especially in special education, you can get your loans forgiven. THis would be something to look into.

Good luck!! I hope you love teaching as much as i do!!!

Answer 3

I worked when I did my student teaching because my job was how I paid for college. I didn't have much of a choice. You're still probably putting in too many hours at work though. If you can get by with less, try it. If not, more power to ya.

It's just a lot of work when student teaching (more than when you actually teach), so they recommend you focus all your energy on it.

Answer 4

I had no choice but to work. The best advice I can give you is to have excellent time management.

I had no computer, so every Saturday I would go to my mom's house and type everything that I needed for the next week. Then I worked from 2-11. Sunday I would go through and make sure that I was prepared for each lesson.

There were days that I thought I would die from exhaustion, but I made it. Part way through my hours got cut from 38 or so down to 20 or less. I was upset because I had bills to pay (was married and owned a home) but in the end it helped a lot.

I spent my 15 minute breaks grading papers and used every available minute to get things done.

Answer 5

They tell you not to work because teaching is a full time job, and if your supervising teacher is cooperative, you'll be spending a lot of time being a teacher, even after school. You definitely can work if you need to. Many students can't afford not to work. Just understand that you'll be doing a full time job with a part time job. It'll be even more draining than just teaching alone.

Answer 6

Your school professors want to you be able to dedicate all of your time and efforts to student teaching. It was recommended that we not work, but I worked and took classes. Most universities are eliminating the "do not work" requirement. It can get very challenging. Unfortunately most new teachers have to work second jobs in order to be able to support themselves. You will be to see if you can actually survive teaching full time and working another job.