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Student teaching can be a nerve-wracking experience. Here are some tips that can help make it the best possible.
Make contact with your cooperating teacher or mentor. This will help you get to know her, her expectations, and learn about her class and the school.
Don’t be afraid of making mistakes because you surely will make some. Take them in stride. They are part of your learning experience.
Dress professionally. Do not show cleavage, wear short skirts or tight clothing, or have weird hair color and fingernail polish.
Do not have a potty mouth or use vulgar or slang words. It’s not cute. It’s not hip. Speak professionally.
Never be late. Enough said.
Talk to your cooperating teacher about your lesson plans, your teaching strategies, your classroom management ideas. She is experienced and will be a fountain of knowledge. Drink from that fountain and learn from her wisdom.
Follow the school rules. If there is a rule against chewing gum in class, don’t chew it. You will not impress your coordinating teacher and this could influence her evaluation of you.
Plan, plan, plan. Make sure you have detailed lesson plans so you know exactly what you will be doing. By planning, you will also make sure that you have all of the handouts copied in advance, all of the materials for a project, and have tested out the technology before you use it in class.
When writing up about your student teaching experience, do not use the students’ real names. Maintain their confidentiality.
If you are sick, don’t wait until the last minute to call and let your coordinating teacher know. She will have to step in and take over. It’s polite to let her know so she will have as much time as possible to get prepared.
