4monkeys
boys will be boys =)
Member since 9/05 7205 total posts
Name:
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Re: Student Teachers
I'll give some feedback! 
First of all, I would have NEVER thought that you were only in your 3rd year, because you always give amazing advice on here, and you are always VERY resourceful, knowledgeable and helpful  
I student taught about 2yrs ago.
Here's my feedback-
I was really lucky and had all great cooperating teachers. however one of them, although I have to say she is a great teacher, she wasnt the best cooperating teacher... i'll elaborate later on that.
Things that were GREAT:
* I loved to have an "agenda" of some sort. To know what lesson I would be doing and when.
(I heard from some student teachers that they were just told to play it by ear, help here and there, nothing too structured).
* I didnt think it was necessary but I really felt it was thoughtful that 2 out of 3 of them  constantly referred to me as a teacher also. she reminded them that they are to behave the same for me as they do for her. (and that I had the rights to discpline them (whatever her approaches/move the color, etc.) just like she did. (basically establish the same amount of respect from the students). but she did tell them I was going to have a classroom of my own one day, and wanted to see how a great class learns and works together, etc.
and when I was observed, she (mostly as an incentive for them to behave) told the class that THEY were being observed, that the supervisor (whatever "title" you want to use) was told what a great class they were, etc.
one of my CTs told the class that I was being observed. (which was true but the other CTs didnt think that approach was too great, because it almost doesnt give the ST the same degree of respect as a teacher.
I wont go on to elaborate too much on the one that was constantly on a power trip. anything she did that I would ilst as a DONT DO IT. is something you would NEVER do anyway! but I will list them anyway (not that I think you would do them, got that ? )
* corrected me in front of the students, and I mean. blatantly "STOP STOPSTOPSTOPSTOP STOP RIGHT THERE !!!!!!!!!" stopped me while I was reading, told me to write the question on the board first. OK, I started to do that. then she stopped me from writing and told me to NEVER put my back towards the students. so I continued to read and she stopped me again to say "you never finished writing the question on the board."
complete psycho on a power trip to say the least.  (and these are just a few of her examples  ) but I have to say, she is a great teacher in many ways. just not a great CT.
*Dont be afraid of giving your ST some "busy work" there were times when either the students were reading quietly or taking a test, that I was more than happy to make copies or help relieve some workload from a busy teacher (checking tests or HW). and the 2 good ones, felt bad and rarely gave me stuff. until I learned their routines and had things done for them without them asking
(for entertainment purposes: "the other one") well she asked me to skip lunch a few times and grade papers with her. once, twice, but she expected this of me every day. soon enough I was heading off to the lounge on my own. She's a workaholic (and so am I in many ways, but not when someone is holding a leash around my neck). she didnt give me a minute to breathe. so I began to hate even being there. she sucked every last second out of me, to the point where she asked me to "patch up" her son's science project for her.  again, I know you would NEVER do this, but just wanted to give you a laugh and show you what's out there  )
ANY TASK I DId with the kids, she stopped me midway and did it her way.
The kids were planting something. I feel that children need to be HANDS ON. so I let one grab the bag of dirt, another hand out cups, and had them line up to fill their own cups with dirt. they were so giddy and excited.
here she comes NONONONONONONNO.
she shoo-ed me aside, and took their cups and gave them a scoop of dirt and let them walk back to their desks. they didnt even get to scoop it themselves.
so she did this to me numerous times.
OK, more GREAT IDEAS.
*Give your ST a little desk/area to call their own. maybe a daily-sheet/agenda to follow., or if possible an idea/worksheet for the week, of what he/she will work on for you.
*Ask her what her strengths/interests are. Are there any lessons that she would prefer to start with. Ask her for a copy of her lesson plan (since she will do them for school anyway, im sure it will be nice for you to have a copy).
*I agree about documenting things, so that you have info for feedback later on. maybe ask the school for the form ahead of time, so you can see what types of things you will be giving feedback on..
*other classes- this was advised to us by the college, but I thought it was a great idea. for 15 minutes here and there, I went to the special areas to "sit in" and observe. they were more than welcoming and they were all great learning experiences: Speech, ABA, Reading, Resource room, etc.) I spoke to the teachers myself and made apptmts to sit in when my students were with them. (if they had our students) otherwise they let me go either way.
*i hope this isnt repetitive, but maybe give her daily tasks so that she has something to work on/look fwd too.
sometimes CT are more like "dont worry, i'll do it". if you tell her every morning do A B a C, then afternoons, DE and F.
*Explain things as you are doing them. Explain services that students get and why, learning challenges they have and what helps them work better.
*IF this is a full day ST, may I kindly say:
Tell her whether or not you want her to stay, and if so, for how long.
Even though student teachers are NOT teachers and dont have the workload of a teacher. I, for example was taking 2 classes, plus my seminar, plus had my 2 very little ones (ages 3 and 1) and childcare cicrumstances required me to do LOTS of driving after work, and I had to take that into account every day.
I couldnt play the game of "the later I stay the better evaluation I will get".
I worked above and beyond while I was there. I was happy to come an hour earlier than anyone. (and the 2 good ones constantly told me to STOP coming so early) but I really needed to leave on time after school. (the one bad seed CT rolled her eyes and huffed as I had to go, and told me HER sob stories with not an ounce of compassion from one mom to another.
I feel that I did more than "make up for" not staying late. I did stay for meetings, parent conferences, and evening events and activities. but couldnt stay late "just because".
So try to be honest and outright about how late you expect her to stay and whether you dont need her at all. Some teachers I have heard say that they prefer the quiet time to themselves after school. It's a very akward time of "Should I stay late to impress the CT". I honestly had too much going on and just couldnt do it. (yes if it was a F/t teaching job, I would, but the childcare and grad classes also would have been different if it was a f/t job, kwim?) so I had to take my whole situation into account.
and I was really liucky to have 2 amazing CTs. 
I still keep in touch with both of them to this day. 
Sorry for the rambling, hope that helped a little.
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