The last sixteen weeks have been challenging, exhausting and exciting. I have taken a great deal away from the experience and would like to share a few things I believe will help future student teachers. I will point out a few things you should do and a few things you shouldn't do.
Do:
1. Take notes when your cooperative teacher gives you constructive criticism. Remember you are a guest, do whatever you can to appease him or her.
2. Work first, nap later. As the semester moves on you become exhausted, try to finish your work before you decide to take a nap, trying to sleep with a great deal on your mind often times does not work.
3. Keep your grade book up to date. Students get upset when they finish work and their grade is not posted immediately. Do your best to keep all current and make up grades posted.
Don't:
1. Let the little things get to you. As a teacher letting all the little things get to you causes a build up in unnecessary stress. Try to brush the little things off and focus on what you can do to improve your overall situation. You can not please everyone and you will always be your biggest critique.
2. Assume your cooperative teacher knows what you will be doing. You and your cooperative teacher will be busy during your sixteen week experience. Do not just assume that your cooperative teacher will remember what you told him or her. Write things down and give your cooperative teacher your future schedule.
3. Loose focus. As the weeks wind down it is easy to loose focus. Do your best to not loose site of your final grade. Think of your sixteen weeks as a boxing match, if you give up in round four you will most likely get knocked out.
Follow these few tips and your experience should go relatively smooth. Good luck and remember this too shall pass.
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Great post Shawn! I think this was your longest post in the semester! :) It is fantastic that you have taken the request to offer advice to future student teachers so seriously. I really appreciate that and so will the future student teachers.
ReplyDeleteI like the way you exhibited all the concerns that you learned the most from in your posting. I was hoping that "stress" relievers were in your advice.
Also, thank you Shawn for doing a good job at working so hard in Accounting. I truly appreciated all the time and hard work that you put into that course.
Only thing you forgot to include was not to hesitate to get involved in other parts of the school....a.k.a....your Pasta Show in Home Ec! Bravo!
Take care!