Today was my first day of student teaching (high school English), and I wondered if any veterans had any advice, besides being organized, which I am :) Thanks!
2007-01-15 11:46:35 · 9 answers · asked by sarah15203 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Teaching
Your question takes me back a few years (32? How did that happen?).
I would say, "Don't worry. Be happy," but I know you will worry. You will also make mistakes, say dumb things, and students can be merciless.
You will also learn a tremendous amount of stuff you aren't really aware of. Things like how to think on your feet to bring a divergent, flip answer from a student back to the direction you want to go. How to head off a problem before it becomes one.(You may have to wait a few years for this one—I did.)
Don't let any feelings about being overwhelmed change your mind. About a dozen of my fellow student teachers all took a solemn vow to never, ever teach. Five years later, almost all of us were doing quite well at it.
A good cooperating teacher can be a big help. Good luck on that, but don't give up the cause if he or she is not a super star. When the students start to respond to you and your personality, you will get a little feel for why we do this. Having your own class to run after you get your own job is way better than student teaching. Way better—and I enjoyed student teaching. (It's also way scarier, but your question was about student teaching.)
If you are organized, you know what you are doing. Don't let them make you think you need to change things in the middle. Don't make things up. For an inexperienced teacher, that's a good way to fall on your face.
Sure, it may not be the world's best lesson, but it's not supposed to be. You are learning. Plan it, present it, then analyze what happened. Be sure to look at what went right as well as what went wrong.
It's usually really easy to see what went wrong. Figure out what you can do to fix it, and fix it. However, be sure to ask yourself what went right, what went like you thought it would, what seemed to get the students involved. Be sure you remember these ideas and try them again.
I have enjoyed my classroom work over the years. I hope you are on the route to enjoying it too. We need more great classroom teachers!
2007-01-15 12:12:52 · answer #1 · answered by Bill3654 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
being an English teacher can be hard, especially on the first day. however, i think you should introduce yourself, then say where you go, and then ask the students their names. If the teacher will let you, try to get to know your students well. The teacher might have you running errands for her like making copies of texts or getting more loose leaf. if the teacher does, you re in good shape. that means the teacher puts its trust in you and can believe you can do a good job. try to make a good impression at the kids...if they like you they will hang out with you and become friends with you. hope this helps!
2007-01-15 12:47:28 · answer #2 · answered by Rachel L 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not a teacher but I'm a student and i have never had a great teacher
my advice is be nice fun and outgoing
make fun ways to help the learn
and kids in middle and high school love doing partner stuff
and test my teacher sometimes hides answers on the boreds to help us and stuff
2007-01-15 12:34:10 · answer #3 · answered by Lisey 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Always be on tigo me, organized. Prepare the night before, and go over the subject matter and when you walk in that class room be confident and caring.
The weeks you go through you have to submerge and dedicate yourself to your student teaching. If you run behind like I did once due to a car accident make sure to call with your cell.
If you don't have a cell phone get one and more important than anything else ENJOY YOURSELF AND THE STUDENTS..
2007-01-15 12:07:48 · answer #4 · answered by Carlene W 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm just a student but this year, my school recieved a new english teacher and studying my class, I'd say be nice to your students but DON'T give in. My teacher was way to nice that everytime our class complained about a certain assignment or test, she'd change it to our way. Sure I guess that's good for us but I'm sure the teacher gets really frusterated.
2007-01-15 11:54:41 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
First of all, have your lessons planned, and be prepared to change them at a moments notice. Most of the time, a lesson you think is perfect in every way does not work in the real classroom. Classroom management wise I would say be consistent with disicpline, even if its one of the good kids. It sucks when you have to give them a detention, but the rest of the class will respect you for it.
2007-01-15 12:04:51 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
you know I'm also a student teacher as early this year. But I hate comin to class with my cooperating teacher always in a war mode and she ignore me....so I drop it . Asw an advise you should be able to get close to the teacher and asked about the situation ih his class.
2007-01-15 14:34:39 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hold your head up and don't take sides when in doubt check it out and always be willing to say your sorry when your wrong.
2007-01-15 12:44:08 · answer #8 · answered by yahoo 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
beware of parents. be vewy, vewy cafeful.
2007-01-15 11:51:25 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋