Has anyone ever had a bad experience during student teaching?

Question

My directing teacher gave me a C+ when everyone I talked to got an A at the school I was at. Now I am having trouble finding a teaching job because of the grade and that she would only recommend me for a co-teaching position. I sent my supervising professor an email and asked him if anything could be done. He told me to never contact him again. I don't think the directing teacher liked me because she tried to talk me out of becoming a teacher. I had done very well during my two preinternship field experiences and had a 3.64 GPA until she gave me the C+. I also have been substituitng for three years before my student teaching experience and have never had a bad report.

Answer 1

I, too, had a co-operating teacher who hated me. I was his first student teacher and he was reluctant to give me classes until it came time to direct the school play, then I suddenly got all the classes and no supervision. I was flabbergasted on what to do. He was anti-religious and I'm a devout Christian. I was nearly tossed out of student teaching twice. Once for going to See You at the Pole when my students invited me and for having poor classroom management. They made me sign a paper saying that I had two weeks to get it together and be the teacher they wanted me to be or I'd be tossed out after 4 1/2 years of struggling to be a student teacher. My age was also an objection. I was only 20 when I student taught. My co-op gave me a D, but my supervisor (who I began doing everything exactly as she wanted me to, not as my conscious dictated) gave me an A. I came out with a B. I substituted for a semester, then waitressed through the summer moving to MS. MS is desperate for teachers. I don't even have my reciprocity certificate yet and I'm already teaching part-time and working part-time in the lunchroom. Next year I will be a full-time teacher at this school. Have hope. It's possible. Try jobsforteachers.com . They can really help. Also look up every school in your district and call there asking for the principal and expressing your interest in the school. When you get really desperate, go personally to each school leaving you resume on the principal's desk when he doesn't have time to speak to you. "Be diligent in all things." Keep working on it. Your subbing days may be drawing to a close.

Answer 2

Here are a couple of things you might try.

1. Look for a job in the next county, where the professor doesn't have as much influence. Get recommendations from teachers, administrators, and staff that you've worked with, and include these with your application. I interviewed with five schools, and none of them asked for my transcripts, a recommendation from a professor, or my gpa.

2. Contact the dean of the school. He or she should be able to get some feedback from your professor or may at least be able to mediate a meeting.

3. Contact the student services group on campus. Many universities have committees to deal with issues such as this which include both students and professors, and they can help you get answers and information from the teacher.

4. Consider re-taking the class. Most colleges have a grade forgiveness policy, and if you really believe you're not getting a job because of this class, maybe you should take it again, with a different professor.

5. You might not want to hear this, but maybe you need to reconsider teaching. Just because you can do the classwork doesn't mean you'd be good in a classroom, and being a good sub doesn't necessarily mean you'd make a good teacher. Maybe you would be more effective in a different grade or in a different subject? Maybe there's something else you can do that's still in education, even if it's not teaching?

6. Consider a private or charter school. They often have different requirements for teachers, and your professor may not have any influence over them.

7. Co-teaching isn't necessarily a bad thing - it can be a good experience for the teachers and kids, so maybe you should just go with it, learn all you can, and prove you can do a great job in the classroom. Take all the inservices and classes you can and show principals how motivated you are and how much you learned during the year.

Good luck, whatever you decide to do!

Answer 3

I'm in the same situation as you are except I've been subbing for two and a half years. My grade for the class was a B though. I was given a hard time by my professor. She wasn't only my professor where we spoke to her almost daily about our experiences. She was also the PRINCIPAL of the school where I was doing my student teaching! She didn't like me from practically day one over a thesis idea that I shared with her. I went through 3 months of hell! Years later, I am glad I am done with that crap! I had one or two bad reports only because this particular schools Union Rep.'s act like they are Mafiozo's. I was "black listed" from the school over an incident THE TEACHER was 100% wrong. Alas, we are the lowly substitute teachers... We don't mean a damn thing until we are full time teachers! They will always take the teachers word over yours!
Best of luck in your endeavors!

Answer 4

Something went wrong and you should have been told what. What were the reasons for that grade? What were the things that you did not do that she thought you should? Your supervising professors comment is out of place. He should tell you what your supervisor said your weaknesses were. You should have had serveral interim reports, what did they say? If there is no way to get the feedback, what you are doing now is the right path. If you are an excellent substitute, principals notice and when there is an opening they will hire you. You can also ask for long term substitute positions and then ask those principals for letters of recommendation.

Answer 5

She sounds like a real witch. I don't know if there is anything yu can do about this though. Is there a way you can check to see if she always grades student teachers this low. I am surprised your supervising professor asked you never to contact him again. What is with these people?

You have my sympathies. It does not sound fair to you at all.

Answer 6

It is a very good idea. My previous instructor would make it into a competition to whom could emergency dismount the fastest but while still having composure. In a realistic situation emergency dismounts may not be the outcome but it definately helps to know how. It comes in favour with run away horses or horses that spook and "lose their mind" per say. Definately keep teaching it, especially with a roll. Generally speaking if you fall off a horse your not going to be able to stand on your two feet so the roll will defiantely help people learn how to "fall safetly"