Student Teaching

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Home : 2004 : September : 12

Student Teaching
By Alicia

It's totally normal to have those doubts and wonder if teaching is really right for you. When you take over the class during your student teaching, yes, the hours will be long, but your mentor teacher is there for you too.
That is the best person to have around to encourage you and answer questions.
I just started my first year of teaching last week. The hours are long!! But it's also very rewarding to go to school and see those little faces looking up at you and depending on you! The best part is building the relationships with them and knowing that I'm going to spend the next nine months as a very important

person in their lives (and vice versa). About the hours...I try to leave school at a decent time at least 2-3 nights a week...for sure on Fridays! Even if this means coming in a little earlier in the morning. I may bring a few things home on the weekend, but I only work on it Sunday evening. I usually stay on Mondays and Thursdays. I think it's going to be really important for me to set those limits right away. There may definitely be weeks where I'm staying later and bringing things home, but that is part of the job. I also make sure that I'm doing things that really count and will make a difference or are things that must be done. There are so many small and tedious things that a teacher can spend time on that really won't make a difference in the learning of students.

My best friend is also my weekly/monthly planner. I have to write everything down that needs to be done. I cross them off as I complete each one. If another teacher asks me to do something I try to do it right away so I don't forget. I've even thought about carrying my planner with me whenever I leave my classroom, because it's not uncommon to be stopped in the hall and asked to do something!

Just remember it can be a lot of work, but also remember why you're doing it...the kids!!