Top 10 Tips for Student Teachers
Student teachers are often placed into an awkward and stressful situation, not
really sure of their authority and sometimes not even placed with veteran
teachers who are much help. These tips can aid student teachers as they begin
their first teaching assignments. Please note: these are not suggestions for
how to approach the students but instead for how to most effectively succeed in
your new teaching environment.
1.
Be On Time
Punctuality is very important in the
'real world'. If you are late, you will definitely NOT start out on the right
foot with your cooperating teacher. Even worse, if you arrive after a class has
begun which you are supposed to be teaching, you are placing that teacher and
yourself in an awkward situation.
2.
Dress Appropriately
As a teacher, you are a professional
and you are supposed to dress accordingly. There is nothing wrong with over
dressing during your student teaching assignments. The clothes do help lend you
an air of authority, especially if you look awfully young. Further, your dress
lets the coordinating teacher know of your professionalism and dedication to
your assignment.
3.
Be Flexible
Remember that the coordinating
teacher has pressures placed upon them just as you have your own pressures to
deal with. If you normally teach only 3 classes and the coordinating teacher
asks that you take on extra classes one day because he has an important meeting
to attend, look at this as your chance to get even further experience while
impressing your dedication to your coordinating teacher.
Flexibility is the one the top six
keys to being a successful teacher.
4.
Follow the School Rules
This might seem obvious to some but
it is important that you do not break school rules. For example, if it is
against the rules to chew gum in class, then do not chew it yourself. If the
campus is 'smoke-free', do not light up during your lunch period. This is
definitely not professional and would be a mark against you when it comes time
for your coordinating teacher and school to report on your abilities and
actions.
In addition, follow your own
classroom rules.
5.
Plan Ahead
If you know you will need copies for
a lesson, do not wait until the morning of the lesson to get them completed.
Many schools have procedures that MUST be followed for copying to occur. If you
fail to follow these procedures you will be stuck without copies and will
probably look unprofessional at the same time.
6.
Befriend the Office Staff
This is especially important if you
believe that you will be staying in the area and possibly trying for a job at
the school where you are teaching. These people's opinions of you will have an
impact on whether or not you are hired. They can also make your time during
student teaching much easier to handle. Don't underestimate their worth.
- Coworkers and Teaching
7.
Maintain Confidentiality
Remember that if you are taking
notes about students or classroom experiences to turn in for grades, you should
either not use their names or change them to protect their identities. You
never know who you are teaching or what their relationship might be to your
instructors and coordinators.
8.
Don't Gossip
It might be tempting to hang out in
the teacher lounge and indulge in gossip about fellow teachers. However, as a
student teacher this would be a very risky choice. You might say something you
could regret later. You might find out information that is untrue and clouds
your judgement. You might even offend someone without realizing it. Remember,
these are teachers you could be working with again some day in the future.
9.
Be Professional With Fellow Teachers
Do not interrupt other teachers'
classes without an absolutely good reason. When you are speaking with your
coordinating teacher or other teachers on campus, treat them with respect. You
can learn a lot from these teachers, and they will be much more likely to share
with you if they feel that you are genuinely interested in them and their
experiences.
10.
Don't Wait to the Last Minute to Call in Sick
You will probably get sick at some
point during your student teaching and will need stay home for the day. You
must remember that the regular teacher will have to take over the class during
your absence. If you wait until the last minute to call in, this could leave
them in an awkward bind making them look bad to the students. Call as soon as
you believe you will not be able to make it to class.
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