Just finished Student Teaching

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Home : 2002 : January : 29

Just finished Student Teaching
By M

Hello!
I couldn't help but respond to the post because I have just finished student teaching myself in December and am currently a first year teacher. I was very lucky in my Student Teaching because my teacher helped
me and supported and I ended up loving the entire experience. Your Student Teacher may simply be nervous and it may come through as lack of organization or even professional maturity. The way my cooperating teacher helped me through this was to be incredibly positive. We had a notebook that we would pass between each other. She would quietly and unobtrusively watch my lessons and

would always respond with a positive comment, even something tiny. Then I could respond back. This was great because she helped build my confidence. If a lesson bombed (and some did!!!) instead of her bringing it up, it made it easier for me to bring it up and discuss because I felt (after so much positive feedback) that she wouldn't be critical.

Also, my college required that we conference every week. In this conference we discussed my strengths and weaknesses and how to improve. She generally wouldn't point out my weaknesses but let me figure them out.

My student teaching was wonderful. My teacher and I still talk on the phone and even email!! She was a wonderful influence and made my experience wonderful. I am sure that you will be able to have the same impact by continuing to support her.