Student teachers

I am getting a student teacher and I am stressed thinking she is going to be extra work for me. I feel bad, but I have so much on my plate.

How do you deal with a student teacher. All suggestions and advice appreciated.

Re: Student teachers

I love student teachers! I've had two and they were both amazing, though, so I've got a skewed viewpoint.

I find it's more work at the beginning....setting them up, letting them know your procedures, letting them get comfortable. But after a week or so, I always let them get started in the class and I just observe. Again, though, I've been really lucky in that I've had amazing people to work with.

I'm actually still in touch with my last student teacher...she was incredible!

Re: Student teachers

It all depends on the student teacher. I've had a few and some have been better than others. There was one that I would only allow to teach ONE of my 5 classes because she wasn't very good. Her advisor actually told her that she may want to consider a change of career (and she didn't even really start her career yet)!

One student teacher was AMAZING! I let her do everything and she was fantastic! To this day, she's one of my closest friends.

Sometimes if I see a student teacher drowning, I'll team teach with them. Or if I teach one class in the morning and the same section in the after, I teach and then have them mimic me in the afternoon.

Always make sure that they show you their lesson plans and important questions ahead of time....and make sure you know what they want to get out of the lesson and if it's important to your curriculum.

Good luck!!!

Re: Student teachers

I work as a student teaching coordinator and field supervisor at a college. I've had some cooperating teachers who wished they could keep my student teachers and others where the relationship was challenging between the student teacher and cooperating teacher. You got some great advice from PPs. If you have any questions, you're welcome to FM me

Message edited 3/7/2012 6:20:32 PM.

Re: Student teachers

Communication is KEY!

I always give a small handbook with procedures for my classroom and school rules. After they teach, I use the 2 stars and 1 wish rule- to give them immediate feedback.

You have to compromise- they also need to find their own way of teaching within this safety zone of not having their own room.

My last one was great and gave me great help- I'm hoping the one I get in 3 weeks is just a good esp. since Ill be 7 months pg then!