anxious student teacher

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anxious student teacher
By Alicia

Hi,
I finished my student teaching last fall! For the first couple weeks you will probably spend most of your time observing the teacher. While observing I took notes on how she presented the lesson, how she engaged kids
and kept them motivated, discipline system, etc...I also worked with small groups and one on one during work time. I wanted to get to know the students as best as I could. I felt they responded better getting to know me and me getting to know them. I talked with my teacher a lot and asked her tons of questions. She is an awesome teacher and has been teaching for over 20 years, so I picked

her brain whenever I had the opportunity. You will probably slowly take over the class one subject at a time. This was a nice way to ease into full time teaching, and then I still had the opportunity to observe her and see what worked well with the kids. When I started teaching lessons I would show her my lessons before I taught them if I wasn't sure or had questions. Your teacher may want to look at all your lessons, but mine didn't (only if I asked her to). ALWAYS make sure you are PREPARED! Have your lessons and materials organized and ready to go! It will make any lesson run smoother! Get a lot of rest too! I was amazed at how much rest I really needed to be ready for everyday. Also plan on spending a lot of time doing school work while you are full time teaching. I stayed later and brought things home.

I think that colleges don't prepare students enough on dealing with behavior issues and the everyday issues that arise with students. This was something that I paid close attention to and asked my teacher about. Remember your teacher is there as your mentor.

Some people don't get along as well with or agree with their teacher, but student teachers have to try and make the most of it. I believe that getting along with that teacher can make or break your experience. I was fortunate and got along really well with my teacher. I guess it helped because I subbed after student teaching for a couple months, then filled in as a long term sub for another teacher at the school. I recently accepted a full time permanent 3rd/4th grade multi-age teaching position at the same school beginning this fall!

Good luck! You will be nervous at first but it gets much easier as you are there longer and get to know the teacher and students. You will feel just as much a part of the classroom as everyone else!