Student teaching advice?

Question

I start student teaching in September, I tend to be a bit over optimistic sometimes I have heard. Just looking for some advice from any teachers who have had a student teacher before?
What can I do to prove that I am very committed and dedicated to my future career and to my placementr?
Should I always be showing up earlier than my cooperating teacher and leaving later ( this is what my dept director recommended)?
Should I ask to take on more than I am assigned?
... a little worried and confused.....
any input would be greatly appreciated.I just don't want to be the new annoying and clueless girl in the building who tries too hard or doesnt try hard enough !!

thanks !

Answer 1

I am a school principal, so I don't know if you want my point of view. But I thought I would pass some of what I know onto you.

First, be organized. Spend some time making sure you have all of your materials at the beginning of the day. Make solid lesson plans that include many different types of activities.

Second, and this may sound harsh, so I apologize in advance... keep your mouth shut and your ears open. Listen to what everyone (especially your mentor teacher) has to say. Some of the information may not "be for you" or work for you, but just keep listening. One of the biggest mistakes some student teachers (and some new teachers) do is to act like they know everything and you can't teach them anything. Whenever I come across this, I make it a point not to hire them. Don't be afraid to ask questions though.

Everyday, ask yourself what went well for you and what did not go as well as you would have liked it. Don't be afraid to be a bit critical. Remember, you are learning.

Finally, it does not matter how many hours you work. Not many people will care. What DOES matter is how well prepared you are.

Good luck to you!

Answer 2

It looks like you've received some good advice so far, so I'll not repeat it. Let me just add a couple of items:

1 - Make yourself available - timewise - to do extra activities if the opportunities present themselves. For example - school carnivals, festivals, tutoring, school plays, etc. This will be a nice resume' item for you, and give you a good idea of all the "extra" things teachers do.

Many times interns are given these opportunities, but decline because they work part-time jobs, have social engagements, etc. Example: several years ago I was a high school teacher and the sponsor of a very successful debate team. I had accepted a job at a new school for the next year, and the principal knew I wouldn't be back. So we made sure to get an intern, who would be able to just step-in to this job (wow!) However, the intern would never stay for debate practice or attend Saturday tournaments because she chose to work (no, she didn't need the money - she liked to buy fancy clothes). She would even try to leave before the bell, so that she could beat the students out of the parking lot. Of course, at the end of her internship I did not recommend her for the job. Okay - so YOU might not want to be a speech teacher - but SHE did. Apply that to YOUR setting.

2 - Don't get defensive when offered advice or correction. Even though you are a teacher, you are there to LEARN. Example: if your supervising teacher says "You're calling-out the spelling words too quickly," thank her, and call the words more slowly. Don't make excuses or defend yourself. It's not a personal attack. Remember, we only correct the people that we care about.

A final note - from your picture, it appears that you care about your appearance. Good !!! I have seen SO many interns over the years just come in SLOPPY. You don't have to wear fancy clothes or jewelry - just be neat in your appearance, use good posture, and smile !!!
Best of luck to you.

Answer 3

I'm not a Health and PE teacher but I will say it would be kind of hard to give tips when there are so many variables. Is the school in a middle class community or lower income neighborhood? Will you be participating in any athletic exercise, will you be teaching PE everyday or will you have days you only teach Health? My advice, call the teacher you will be working with and ask her. She will probably get a kick out of it and will be a good ice-breaker and something to laugh about at the end of your stay.

Answer 4

You have gotten some wonderful responses. The only little bit of advice I would pass on is to watch the clock when doing your lessons. I find that student teachers, whether through nervousness or a well-meaning desire to want every student to understand every lesson every time, often lose track of time. The result sometimes is that a 25 min. lesson becomes a 40 min. one. Sometimes your schedule is flexible enough to absorb the extra time, but making up those precious 15 min. is often difficult. This is also good practice for when you are observed by your University supervisor.

Good luck! Relax and enjoy!

Answer 5

All student teachers are overly optimistic, so don't worry about it. It's a good thing actually, keeps you motivated so keep it up.
I was a student teacher a couple of months back and before I started, I was asked to come in several days before classes began. This was to familiarize myself with the teachers, staff, curriculum, schedules, classroom, materials, rules, etc. It would be a great time to ask your cooperating teacher for your duties, if she hasn't already given them to you.
It's always good to show up a couple minutes early and leave a little later, it shows dedication and commitment. Small talk with your cooperating teacher is always good too. And most important, it gives you a few minutes to prepare yourself mentally, and prepare for the tasks at hand. Always ask them if they need help with anything but you have to be careful because I've had classmates who ended up doing all the visual aides at their expense. Some even ended up doing lesson plans for their cooperating teacher but they never got to carry it out.
Well, good luck. You're in for a physically and mentally exhausting ride but a very fulfilling one. Remember, get enough sleep and take vitamins.

Answer 6

do not show up earlier or leave later
show up at about the same time or a little later...the coop. tchr. may need some alone time each morning in the school or room to do things ...remember she is teaching you and the children
leave when she does...common courtesy...it is her classroom so vacate when she does
do what you are assigned but embellish it...step it up a notch
watch, listen and record everything you see the coop. tchr do or say ...I had a notebook that I recorded observations and I used it for years after the field experience. Some of my best student teachers were the ones that really loved working with kids and had fun with us.

Answer 7

I think you should be confident in whatever you do and know that, if you are giving your best, then your best is the best. Teachers are special people, who care about others and enjoy helping others learn. I think that you have a good heart and worry that you have a lot invested in this and may not perform well, which is probably just anxiety and pretty silly.

Just being there and doing the best you can, should be an excellent way for everyone to see just how great you are. Don't be so hard on yourself... :)

Answer 8

From my own student teaching experience:
-unless you're given a key to the room, showing up really early is pointless, show up just before or when your cooperating teacher arrives... but you should always be there early before students get there, it gives you a few moments to clear your head and prepare for the day
-don't rush right out the door when the kids leave, it's always good to stay after a few minutes to clean up, prep for the next day, put up bulletin boards, etc., but you don't have to stay over hours, 15-20 minutes is good unless you have a lot of prep to do
-TAKE INITIATIVE! Grab any opportunity to teach, even if it is early on
-Get to know students names right off
-Get to know students and take a vested interest and get to know their interests
-Ask lots of questions, don't be afraid to ask your teacher questions or ask to get involved early on
-Know the school rules (read the handbook), classroom rules, procedures (fire drills, lock downs, etc.)
-Ask your coop teacher to proof your lesson plans before you teach or implement, and I know it's tough, but it's really worth doing your lesson plans ahead of time, it gives you time to get copies made and to make any changes your coop teacher of supervisor suggests
-Be FAIR (not equal, but fair) to all students in your classroom
-Go in with confidence, it will earn you more respect from the students
-Be firm but caring with the students
-Get lots of rest!
-Don't get backed up with grading!!! Take time each night to grade, you can do it after school at the school, it provides a lot less distractions
-You will be very busy during student teaching and will have less time to spend with friends and family, that's just the way it is... but it's only one semester so try to stay on top of it the best you can.

I know this list is long, if you have any other questions or need any more advice, feel free to email me. If you are committed to doing a good job this will be a great expereince for you. Good luck!

Answer 9

Give 100%, be on time, volunteer for whatever they will let you, be prepared (lesson plans ready ahead of time) and organized. The principal where I student taught said that was why she gave me such high recomendations! Enjoy your time and learn as much as possible!Good Luck!!