Any Student Teaching Advice?

Question

I student teach in within the next month. I was wondering if any of you have any advice for those of us starting this?

Are there any supplies or anything else that will make you more prepared?

I'd like to do the best job possible and make a good impression, but I still don't wish to stay 5 hours after school and overwork myself everyday because after all we don't exactly get paid for it.

Any advice at all for those of us about to start this?

Answer 1

Don't be afraid to ask your Mentor teacher for materials, resources and advice. Plan lessons with her/him from the beginning so it's not a surprise for you when you take over.  But remember, they have probably taught the curriculum for a whle and some of it is second nature for them.  They may not recall that you have not taught these lessons and so don't have the advantage of knowing how to tweek things.

If something seems confusing, ask about it.

Run your ideas by them first to assure the amount of material is appropriate for the time given- not too much and not going to leave you hanging either.  

Get plenty of sleep!  Dress professionally.  Eat with the staff and get to know them.

Best of luck!

Answer 2

I student taught 11 years ago, I can't believe it's been that long.

Ok, general advice: ALWAYS be on time, stay a little late (you will not have to stay 5 hours), dress PROFESSIONALLY at all times, address the students as a teacher and a person in authority, not as a buddy (I'm not sure how much older you are than they), don't worry if they like you but they must respect you (and if you get their respect with kindness and firmness most of them will like you).

On a personal note: I made a huge mistake, so I will offer this advice to you. Your teacher is your mentor and regardless of what you may think of his/her teaching styles, he/she has more experience than you. Act like they are the expert on everything. Ask for all sorts of advice, even if you don't agree on it always, it will give you ideas and help. And if you keep a journal (many courses of study require a daily log) whatever you do, do not put personal feelings about your supervising teacher's teaching styles or approaches in your journal. My supervising teacher read mine (totally unfair, she did it without asking) but everything negative and positive I felt that year she read, and remembered the negative. It ruined our relationship for the remainder of the semester. Big mistake on my part for even writing it down. So let me pass this advice along to you. Make her/him think he is the greatest teacher since the beginning of the profession, *within reason of course* and as long as he/she is professional. When you get your own classroom you can implement your own ideas and teaching styles.

Answer 3

I'll just answer this from another perspective - I had a student teacher this past winter and it was my second great experience.  So, being the one who advised them, I would say one big part is to sit down with your cooperating teacher ahead of your starting day and see just what they expect you to cover.  You have certain things your college will require, so these need to be covered as well.  We made a schedule for when she would take over each class and when she would begin the gradual releasing of them back to me.  We also planned out what she would try to cover with them during that time.  The only way for you to be prepared is to know what you're teaching!  

Like the others have said - Look Professional - great advice!

And don't try to be their friend.  Establish discipline from your first encounter with them (in conjunction with the rules of your lead teacher and the school) and be CONSISTENT.  If you are in high school or middle school, they will call you on every breach of the rules you allow.  

Be positive with them and with yourself.

And ALWAYS - give yourself time to relax.  Even if you have to schedule in an hour on Sunday afternoon, make sure you have some down time or you'll dread every day!  

Good luck!!

Answer 4

Most Important Advice: BE PREPARED.

How to be prepared you say?

Read Fred Jones' Tools for Teaching and The First Days of School by Harry Wong

There are many good websites on lesson plans and discipline, to name a few:

http://www.education-world.com/back_to_s...

http://www.internet4classrooms.com

http://www.lessonplanspage.com/

http://teachers.net/

Also, STICK to your POLICIES.  Remember that they are always testing you, if you let one thing go, they WILL go farther next time.  Be nice and kind, but DON'T be their friends or they will lose respect.

Remember that they are kids, but they are also young adults.

P.S. I agree with LM combat g.  Your mentor teacher has been in this business for a while.  You may question or disagree with his/her methods, but there's a reason why that teacher chooses to act that method.  Always ASK the teacher, so that you can make the choice to follow or change that method for what works for you.

Answer 5

Student teaching can be the best experience!

Try to teach as many lessons as possible (Take over the whole class more than needed if your teacher lets you.)

Save any great lessons that you see your cooperating teacher do because they probably come from experience

Sit in on all the meetings - staff meetings, IEP meetings, grade level team meetings, anything you can.  It's great experience.

Get involved - anything that would be required of the teachers, you should try to do.  Any evening events that they have, try to attend.

In general, act like you would if it was your first year there.  The more you throw youself into it, the more experience you'll have for your first year.

Also, dress professionally.  Even if there is no dresscode and the teachers wear jeans, you shouldn't.  They have a job, you don't yet.  You also probably look young and looking professional will help you be thought of as a teacher.

Good luck and enjoy it!!

(One more thing.  Don't try to be there friend.  Students like when they know what to expect from you and where you stand.  Don't let them get away with things because you want them to like you.  They'll like you more when they know the boundries.  Share some (APPROPRIATE) things about you and your personal life - they like you more when they feel like they know you.)