Helping Student Teachers Succeed

Chapter Outline 

Chapter One: Feedback is a Good Thing

            Your student teacher will look to you throughout the semester for feedback on just about everything related to teaching and the building you both now share. The best thing you can do is actually give constructive feedback to them, preferably in a verbal and written manner so they have notes to refer to. Also, give your student teacher feedback on a regular basis as they will be eager to learn from their mistakes and build upon their successes in your classroom. It is okay to be critical, as your student teacher is still learning, but do not wreck their confidence by harshly judging their undeveloped skills as a teacher. The rest of this chapter will give you more insight on how to give constructive feedback to your student teacher.

Chapter Two: Guided Tour

                If you can, remember back to your first days of student teaching and how nervous and excited you were to get to your school, your classroom and find your cooperating teacher; did you ever get lost? Make a point to meet your student teacher in the office on their first day, this will immediately calm them down and also make them feel very welcome at your school. During the first week, before or after school, give your student teacher an in-depth tour of the school and point out important places- resource room, copy room, nurse’s office, supply room, etc. that you may ask them to run an errand to. To a student teacher a new school can seem like a daunting, ever changing, confusing maze of duplicate hallways. Getting your student teacher acquainted with the building will really bolster their confidence as they will have a better understanding of their surroundings. More helpful hints to get your student teacher settled in your building will be discussed later on in this chapter.

Chapter Three: Explanation, Clarification, Destination

            As an experienced teacher you most likely have more than a good handle on the everyday things a teacher must do, get done or plan for every day. Well guess who’s not experienced-that’s right, your student teacher. Do them a favor and explain why you do the things you do, from classroom set up, student discipline, grading and especially for lesson planning. Clarify anything that might not make sense to a non-experienced teacher. Don’t just assume your student teacher understands why it is you do the things you do. Finally, explain the destination of where you want your classes to end up and how you plan to get them there. What assessments you’ll use and why- involve your student teacher as much as possible in your planning. There will be more to come in this chapter on how to breakdown the complexities of teaching for your student teacher.

Chapter Four: No Sugar Added

            Your student teacher will arrive to your classroom with a toothache from all the sugar coated spoon feedings they have received at their college concerning the profession of teaching, don’t promote any more cavities! Be honest and upfront with your student teacher about time commitments inside and outside the classroom, expectations from administrators as well as parents. It is your job to show your student teacher the ropes of teaching and you will do them a disservice if you shelter them from any of these aspects of teaching. Share your insights with them and how you handle the pressures of your profession juggling planning, teaching, bosses, parents and your own life. Further tips on how to keep it real with your student teacher will be shared throughout this chapter.

Chapter Five: Social Networking

            Perhaps one of the best things that you can do for your student teacher is to make sure that they are known within your building. Introduce them, if they haven’t already, to the principal, other administrators and the office staff within the first week. Your student teacher may not feel totally comfortable doing this alone so be a good wing teacher (wingman/woman). As you get in to the school year introduce your student teacher to other teachers in the building who you know will be good influences and offer sound advice. Also, introduce your student teacher at in-service days as these days are more relaxed and other teachers may be more receptive to talking at length with your student teacher. Helping your student teacher network and make positive connections will certainly pay dividends for them as they prepare for their job search. After all, it is sometimes about whom you know not what you know. Additional assistance on helping your student teacher network with teachers will be offered in this chapter.