Student teaching in the city?

Question

I am doing my student teaching in one of the worst schools in Philly any SERIOUS suggestions

Answer 1

To get through your student teaching assignment you need to pay close attention to the techniques your cooperating teacher and other staff members use- both those that work and those that don't.  Remember, right now, your main concern is getting through the assignment.  Also, listen very carefully to their criticisms and recommendations even if you have tried the same thing before and it didn't work.    If you don't use the suggestions they make, they will get the idea that you are uncooperative.  There will be plenty of time when you get your own classroom to experiment.  If you haven't already had a lot of classwork on discipline, and most have not, go to a teacher store or on-line to one of the publishing companies and find a few books on discipline.   There is also a great book on living in poverty, but the name escapes me.  Understanding poverty (that might be part of the name of the book) will make a huge difference in how you treat, empathize and work with inner city children and their parents.  It is well worth learning the "language".  There are many different approaches and there just isn't a one-fits-all style.  Ask lots of questions, make copies of everything you can get your hands on.  If there is time, ask to visit the classrooms of successful teachers whom you are not assigned to.  

One more thing.  If after your student teaching session ends, you realize you really don't want to do this the rest of your life, start making plans to change careers.  It is a hard job to spend 30 years at if you don't love it.

Good Luck.

Answer 2

Have tight classroom procedures

Have a discipline plan...what are you going to do when students misbehave? And make sure they know the plan.

Expect misbehavior and power struggles, that way you'll be prepared.

Start out with worksheets until things are under control and you know all the kids' names. Then you can get more creative.

P.S. Also I want to add that I don't think "Lulu" is being completely honest. Teachers don't spend 5 hours a day with the school administration, they spend it with the kids. Poor, inner-city kids are way more challenging discipline-wise than rich kids, that's why she left, whatever she tells herself to feel better about the decision.

Answer 3

put it on your resume

Answer 4

Don't give undeserved grades.

Keep serious, no making jokes or funny stories.

Keep your personal life and views to yourself.

Answer 5

I student taught, and did my first five years of teaching at a very troubled inner-city school.  I now teach at a very expensive, prestigious private school, and really, the kids are pretty much the same.  Sure my kids now are more motivated and have expectations about what they are entitled to that my inner-city kids didn't have, and sure my inner-city kids, at least some of them, were involved with gangs etc., but kids are pretty much just kids.  They want you to respect them and treat them like people.  You need to  see them as individuals and not as a stereotype.   I let my students know right away that I had great expectations for them, but that I would help them in any way that I could.  I loved working with those kids; it was the administration that drove me away.