This is our last posting before class on April 16! What is the most surprising thing that has happened to you in this experience? ...what did you not expect? ...or was it just like you thought it would be?
I think the experience you are referring to is student teaching, and it has been everything and nothing I expected! The most surprising part of the experience for me is how much I have been able to affect what students learn and appreciate in education. It has been difficult getting students motivated at times, more than I thought it would be. I would also have to say the amount of time and effort I have put in was a little overwhelming at first. Once you have a system down, it runs a little smoother, but it is not a 7 hour work day. It is more like a 12 hour work day some days, and weekends are not all your own anymore. I have found myself really having to prioritize my family life, work life and personal life more so than I ever have before. I am sure after a couple of years of teaching, this will be a lot easier to do and I will have created a routine that works for me during the school year. However, I now have a good answer to all those people who say teachers are so lucky because we get 3 months off a year. "Well, do you work 10-12 hour days during the week and 4-6 hours on the weekend for nine months straight?" We deserve a summer vacation because we work so hard for the other nine months of the year. BUT, I LOVE IT! Student teaching, as rewarding and difficult as it has been at time, has solidified my commitment to education and love of students and teaching, and if I couldn't say I definitely have found a lifelong love and career in education and teaching, I can say it now with all my heart! I guess it's a good thing because I just got accepted to my first teaching job a week and a half ago...I start in the fall of 2009. Yeah! I'm so excited...hope you all have the same luck!
When I started student teaching I was expecting it to be a lot of work and difficult on my family and it has proven to be just that. Yet, everyone has been great and because of that I have been able to hold my head above water. My time in the classroom is better than I expected. When I walk into my school, all my other troubles seem to fall away and I can just focus on the kids, my plans, and any new strategies I’m planning on implementing. My students make me smile even when they are doing what they are not supposed to do. I love the fact that they come into class and can’t wait to share a story or an idea with me. When their eyes light up when they’re engaged in learning or they proudly show off their work they successful finished, I get a warm feeling all over and think to my self “You helped make this happen.” My comfort level in the classroom and with being observed has also surprised me. All the feedback I’ve received has been extremely helpful. Most every time I try something new that was suggested by someone with more experience than me, it works. I love being in an environment with people willing to share their knowledge and experiences with me. My school has been great for my professional development. It is a safe environment in which to learn and make mistakes. My greatest surprise has been my cooperating teacher. She is amazing, patient, open, and extremely knowledgeable. I know that I will have her to thank for most of my success as a teacher. Each day, she uses her planning time to sit down with me to see what I need. She’s been willing to answer to all my questions and listen to all my frustrations. She has made my experience the success it has been.
I have been teaching under a TTE at two schools. Although both schools are similar demographically, they have drastically different administration styles, teachers and parents. It has been a lot of adjusting and working with different personality types, but it has been a good learning experience. I do feel fortunate that I have a wonderful director and have very positive feedback. I tend to be very self critical, so when one of my principals gave me some very complimentary remarks, it was very rewarding.
Student teaching has been quite an experience. I expected it to be a lot of work. That proved to be true. I have learned that even when I am not "working", I am dreaming about class. I also did not expect to get involved in an extra committee. Yet, I did, and now I have a job in the fall. I like to be involved, I am not very good at being passive. My cooperating teacher has been great. He allows me to make mistakes, to re-teach, and also to implement something that I want to try. I am grateful for the ability to make the changes that he has allowed me to make, also for the feedback that I get. I am glad that I have learned that the time I am putting in, will probably be pretty close to what I am doing now. 7:30-5:00, plus grading papers at home. I do think that after I get a routine down that this would get easier. Planning is getting easier, it's just very time consuming to grade papers. I have been amazed at the relationship with the students after just a few months. They are more than just my students, they are little people. I knew that I would get involved, I just did not realize how involved. I have attended basketball games and soccer is just now getting ready to start.
I think my biggest, and completely pleasant, surprise has been how accepting the students have been of me. I was so nervous about this and I thought that maybe the students (especially at the high school level) would be sort of ambivalent about my being there since I'm a student teacher. But, they were so sad to see me leave and I them. I'm in an elementary school now and the students at that level are also very accepting of a new person in their classroom. I love them all and I now have a clear understanding of the teachers I've known who say they miss their students at graduation time.
I was also surprised that I'm able to figure out what to do. I was scared that after all these classes, I still wouldn't be able to put meaningful lessons together. It all seemed like such a mystery. But, it starts to come together and seeing the students work through each lesson gives me ideas for how to improve the next one.
Hey! Student teaching is exaclty what I thought it would be. It has been lots of fun and learning at every second of the day. It is however, less time consuming than working fulltime and taking classes, so it is not as hectic for me. I have found that the best part of this experience is being with a mentor teacher that is so organized. This has really helped me to see what organization can do and how much time it can save me. What a blessing. I have also found that the most difficult thing for me was to wear the microphone device for one of our hearing impaired kiddos. Now that it is like jewelry, it really saves my voice, I don't think I would want to teaach without one. This was my biggest surprise. I was not surprised at thow the studetns would react to me in my soloing experience. I knew as with any substitute teacher they would push buttons for a few days, but they didn't realize that I was just as tough as their teacher and do FOLLOW THROUGH with the discipline that was already put into place. That is the key to good classroom management and the rest was smooth sailing in that area. I have loved working with my supervising teacher and all she has had to offer. I stated in another blog that she doesnt like to lwt go of her kiddos, but I have just been patient and iplemented a few of my own ideas when I could. My facilitator is a retired principal and is awesome and I really repsect her comments because she is so knowledgeable in all aspects and for these two ladies... I owe so much to a great and positivie student teaching experience.
I feel like I have finally found the place I am suppose to be. This, as it sounds like it was for so many of you, was my biggest surprise! I have been looking for my niche for awhile now. I have muddled around in higher education now for almost 15 years. After three months in special education each day only gets better. I have discovered my fifteen years of muddling in higher education was really preparation to become a special education teacher. I have also found the harder I work and the more I reflect on what I am doing-be it teaching, collaborating, or problem-solving the better my experience becomes. Finally, I have been extremely surpised to find out how supportive teachers, support staff and administrators are of one another. This is a breath of fresh air after coming from a profession where this was not the case.
There have been several surprises this summer. I was told the horror stories about working long days and student teaching being a grueling event, but so far it is fairly simple. I continue to hear how some people are having to work long days, and that scares me a little. I am a little nervous that I am not doing something correct now and that it will come up and bite me when I have my own classroom. I think that it might be due to my teacher having a very set routine that allows for easy planning and predictability. Also, maybe I’m at a dud school, but all of those really fun and awesome lessons I was told to do in earlier classes are looking like a waste of time. This is a tough school and it is hard enough to teach the simple lessons and the students wouldn’t be able to handle the exuberant lessons. The lessons presented by all of the primary teachers are very simplistic and follow the curriculum books almost verbatim. I have also been surprised by how much I don’t know and need to know the big picture such as what the students learned the first semester, what they learned the year prior and what they need to know in order to smoothly transition to the next grade. It has been a little difficult at times trying to teach something I assumed fourth graders would know and they don’t. The little things also get me such as when to do district assessments, what mode to teach for writing and why, or how and why does one pick certain books to read as a class or in reading groups. Aside from these, I have learned an immense amount and am looking forward to having my own classroom, experimenting, and learning about myself and what my teaching style is really like without having a premade class already set up.
Student teaching has been pretty much what I was expecting. The exciting part has been to see how much of what I have already learned as a preschool teacher for the past 8 years can carry over to a higher grade. Classroom management was a struggle for me in my first years and yet when it "clicked" things got so much better. I was a little concerned that my students for student teaching wouldn't accept me as readily as they have and I was able to learn their names much faster than I imagined. I have tried to respect my cooperating teacher and her style while still adding a few ideas of my own as well. All in all it has been a good experience and a great opportunity to learn from a mentor teacher.
I love student teaching. It was exactly what I expected it to be. My cooperating teacher is great, she have given me the opportunity to do just about everything, she even let me have a say in the students grades. One thing that surprised me was the difference in how my cooperating teacher grades papers and how I grade papers. The more I do it I see where she is coming from, but I would have never imagined that grading papers could be so complex. : ) I think the most stressful part of student teaching has been trying to get a job. Now that the school year is winding down and positions are available, I feel more stressed than ever. But like I said before, I love student teaching.
Dear All, Student teaching has been a lot of fun for me. I love all the kids and we are having fun together. They all have such interesting personalities. I didn't know I would like 5th graders so much. I've been working with high schoolers and I thought I liked them more. They are just different. I thought I wanted to teach h.s. math but teaching all the subjects is very interesting and fun. It is a little hectic but more variety. I love that the 5th grade teachers are such a cohesive team. They work together and plan together and the comaraderie is so much fun. We share ideas and enthusiasm.
I agree with some of you who have said that this is almost a relaxing semester because there is less homework. It is just a job not a full time job elsewhere with homework on top. The portfolio has been quite a little bit of work and preparing resumes and letters, job fairs in addition has been a little more work.
I have heard some amazing things from observations in other schools are some of your thoughts that concerns me about my kids. One teacher told me she visited a 5th grade classroom where they were practicing for a performance of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night and writing limericks. My kids struggled through a simple diamante poem and work to write a 3-5 sentence letter or paragraph. Are my kids that far behind?
It has been a mix bag of emotions. When I am teaching, I feel great and enjoy the interactions with the kids. It is all the other things that go along with teaching that can drain me. Weekly meeting is last place I want to be when I had a bad week. Dealing with misunderstandings with parents can be a little intimidating. Classroom management is a rollercoaster ride that can leave you with whiplash. I guess it comes with the territory. I have realized there will be weeks were you will question your decision to become a teacher, and then something incredible happens. You make a connection with a student. You made a difference. There is not a single job that you would not feel this way. Teaching has a flow. If you can find it, the sea of teaching will feel calmer. If you cannot find the rhythm, it can cause lots of stress and sea sickness. The mental stress of looking for a job after school is stressful. There seems to be more teachers than positions. I think the first few years of teaching will be difficult, but you can concentrate on your job. Right now, I think all of us are being pulled in so many directions: family, school, student teaching, and finding a teaching job.
Hello all! I think the most surprising thing for me in this experience has been how easy it was! I, by nature, am typically anxiety ridden and always stressed out when under pressure. I expected this to be the source of the worst of both, but instead it has been as if I have done this my whole life! I am used to juggling a job, school, and family. I just expected this to be more difficult than it was. I think that having a job in the school prior to this course was helpful because there weren't as many adjusts to make in regards to relationships with teachers and students. I feel like I have finally gotten a handle on how to write a lesson plan, though the school I am at doesn't require any written plans. I decided to test whether or not the Regis template was really helping or not... It helps. I don't like to do them (they are so time consuming); however, each time I used one the class went better, smoother, and just seems to have been more fun! I can't wait to use what I've learned here next year! Lori H.
The most suprising thing I have experienced during my student teaching is what my students have to deal with outside of the classroom! I knew that children are exposed to many shocking things, but I did not realize how many students do not have a "normal" childhood. This makes me so sad! It has been a difficult challenge to attempt to better their lives with the time they have in my classroom knowing that they have to go home to a bad situation. I am very suprised by one student in particular who I chose to do a case study on. He situation is very unique and I am certain I will never deal with a situation exactly like his ever again.
Like many of you have said, student teaching has not proven to be as scary as I once thought. I am suprised to find myself feeling very comfortable in the classroom and confident with my teaching ability after my semester as a student teacher. I am also suprised that I have come to a point where I do not mind people observing me in the classroom. I have grown a lot as a teacher and am so hopeful to find a job for next year! See you all in a few days! We are almost there!!!
Hello everyone! I just want to say "Where did the time go!!!" It is just amazing to me how fast this semester has gone by. I would have to say one thing about student teaching "Amazing". It wonderful to feel conected to the students and feel welcome in the classroom. As for me, going through personal family issues this semester, I thought I would be overwhelmed, but just the opposite. It is like as soon as I walk into that classroom and the students start walking through the door, everything else disappears. I think for them, school also has that affect on them as well. Just like Laura said in the post right above me, the kids have to face a lot outside of the classroom and school is a safe haven for them. That is a great feeling to know when you see the smiles on their faces. See you all Thursday
My most plesant experience has been working with the fourth grade team. This is includes the two fourth grade teachers, Title 1 teacher, and a tutor. The have truly gotten me through all the bad behaviors I have experienced. In addition they have show me what a true PLC or CT is all about. I just hope in the furture I get that opprotunity to work with such great people as well. They will be hard to top!
This whole experience has been a great adventure to me. I love working with kids from high school down to kindergarten. I just enjoy people and getting to know them and what makes them tick. I have learned something from every single person I have encountered and had the privilege to work with during the process of gaining my certification. It is exciting to think I can finally be a real teacher. I have worked in the district for 17 years in various roles. When I began this journey, it was to qualify as a Media Director. I have been heard to say, "I don't plan on ever going into the outside classroom because I love the media center." Now, I can truly say, I loved being in the classroom. It is so rewarding to get to know each child as a unique individual. Each one brings his/her own challenges and talents into the mix and only makes the final product more interesting and rewarding. I feel like I have grown a lot during this journey and I am grateful to everyone that contributed to that growth. I have gotten to know so many wonderful, caring, giving people who have reafirmed my conviction that one person can make a difference. I, too, am grateful for the open sharing of knowledge I have witnessed from all the wonderful teachers I have had the opportunity to observe and work with. I have so many ideas to add to my repetoire. I enjoyed initiating book talks and literacy centers in my classroom. My cooperating teacher was a great mentor and very willing to let me borrow and work with her special class. I will miss both her example and each of the unique individuals who make up "our" classroom. I look forward to whatever lies ahead because I feel that I will only continue to learn and grow. Bonnie Hanks
So many, but the one that really sticks out is when all four of the kindergarten boys in one of my pull out groups ALL attacked me with hugs at the end of our time. It was also a lesson where I was being observed by my principal. Wasn't for sure if it was a good or bad thing right when it happened, since I really did lose control of the four of them at that moment... but, I guess it was for a good reason, No, a great one!!! Then the other day I had a 5th grade boy tell me that I scared him... when I asked why he said, "Because you are a girl and you like football" He had heard a couple other teachers and I talking when I said I hated to shop and would rather watch football anytime... just really made me smile. Today when he got off the bus he said, "Wow, you got lipstick on. You must be a girl!"
I think the most surprising thing is that.. I MADE IT!! On a more serious note, I am surprised at how well the students responded to me, and saw me as a "real teacher" and how much they have grown in the short time I have been there. I knew going into my student teaching experience that I was going to have to dedicate a lot of time- and I was right, I spent countless hours planning, learning, etc., but in the end I couldn't be more happy with the experience I have gotten. I knew it would be extremely rewarding, and it has been! Of course I had my ups and downs along the way, but all of my experiences have made me stronger, and have solidified the fact that I am ready to be on my own! My students, parents, cooperating teacher, and the staff have been extremely supportive of me along the way, and I am so glad I had the opportunity to meet each and every one of them and make such a profound impact on my students!
What a semester it has been student teaching! It finally all clicked. I am not sure about everyone else, but when I was finally in a classroom full-time things seem to make much more sense. It has been a wonderful journey learning all the teaching strategies and life long tips right along with trying to teach my students. It has been extremely fun, and very tiring! However, it all is worth it in the end. I do have to say the big suprise to me with teaching today...I realize how much loss there is spiritually within people, including students. I am not a religious person but I do have faith. I know religion should be seperate from teaching, however classroom manamgement is difficult to manage this day and age when students have no conscience of right from wrong. Maybe society has made it that way. I just needed to express this because I believe it is a great concern and is going to lead to more of a challenging world later on in life. It is pretty scary if you think about it.
So far it has been a rollar coaster of hard work, emotion and wonderful learning experiences. Student teaching is to a degree what I had expected with a few twists. I thought it would be harder on some levels and eaier on others. I thought that classroom management would be a cake walk and lesson planning would be super hard - I have had the opposite experience. The kids are great but they test me as a new teacher in their room and I am having to work extra hard to be proactive in the managing. I am also finding that time is flying by and I am now worrying more about my portfolio and work samples than the classroom. I am hoping that is becasue I have now become comfortable in the classroom. This expereience has been fantastic and challenging and I cannot wait to have my own classroom.
The most surprising thing to me is how much energy teachers spend on talking negatively about students. I keep thinking that if we spen half of that energy on finding solutions for them we might actually get somewhere. This has been really sad to me. I realize that teachers need to vent but it goes way past that to making excuses and blaming everyone else for why a certain child isn't making progress rather than reflecting on what could be done differently in the classroom.
During the course of my student teaching I have been surprised by many, many things. The most surprising, and what many of you have already talked about, was the staggering amount of time that I put into teaching. I had no idea how long everything would take and simply how much energy everything takes. Whew! It has been unbelievable. One of the good surprising things was the wonderful relationships I made with kids. I knew that I would like them, but I really, really, really like them! It is going to be so hard to leave them when I am done!
I totally agree with what Nikki said. Not only was I suprised by how much time really does go into teaching and making sure that my lessons are complete but I was also very suprised at how quickly I bonded with my students. I have bonded with them to the point that I find myself getting really sad at the thought of letting my cooperating teacher have her classroom back. One Friday a student of mine said something about what we were going to be doing the next day and I stated that I was not going to be there. She got this sad look on her face and asked me why I would not be there and where I was going. I had to explain to her that the next day was Saturday and she wouldn't be there either but it made me realize that I was going to miss them as much as they would miss me. It is definitely going to be hard thats for sure.
The most surprising part of student teaching for me was how much time went into planning and preparing for lessons. I guess I thought teachers had these magic books with all the lessons laid out and ready to be taught in them! HA was I wrong! I have learned to enjoy the process of planning and now look forward to it. I am also surprised at how easily the students and I have bonded. Although I have a very difficult bunch of kids, they love to learn and can be so delightful when they are excited about a new subject. I will truly miss them!
More recently what is very surprising to me is how much time and money I have spent on creating my resume, cover leters, letters of recommendation, educational philosophy, transcripts, applications, (which are all tailor made for each district or school I'm applying to) plus time spent going to job fairs and interviewing. Phew! It's almost a job in itself!
Hi All, this semester has been great. I have really enjoyed my time student teaching. I have found that this semester has not been as crazy busy as some of my others, although the portfolio has kept me plenty busy. I think mine is getting thicker by the day. What has surprised me the most this semester is how much I have enjoyed student teaching. I have really adjusted well and so have the students. I have loved getting to know them and watch them grow.
With the first half of the semester and mid-term evaluation complete, I am suprised and disheartened that my weakest area was "Knowledge". I can understand that knowledge in teaching comes with time, however I feel that being at the end of my Master's degree, knowledge should be a strong point. Hopefully by the end of the semster it will improve. I'm going to dust off the reading textbooks, get out and talk to some teachers, and do research on scope and sequence to revamp my knowledge base.
One of the things I think that most surprised me is how attached I have become to my students and they of me. My cooperating teacher was gone for a few days and the kids didn't even notice until the last day. They keep asking me what are they going to do when I'm gone (especially in any of our technology areas because the regular teacher has zero clue about how to use any of it!) I knew it would be a lot of work and I was prepared for that but I guess I wasn't as prepared to realize how much I truly love it. This is definitely the right choice of a career for me and I now think I really will make a good teacher.
Probably the most surprising thing to me has been just how open and loving these teachers are. They genuinely care about the kids and how the kids are doing in class. It is so cool, because it is mostly behind the scenes. The kids don't know how many "regrades" are done to try to get them to one grade better, or to more accurately reflect their effort, rather than the result. I love teaching with these ladies and will miss them terribly when I am done.
I have been surprised how easily I have been able to manage a classroom of 30 chemistry students. I have been teaching environmental science since January. I was apple to apply the lessons I have learned from EV science to chemistry with incredible results. Being able to effectively manage the class has made the class a pleasure to teach. I am enjoying it more and my students seem to be getting a lot out of the class. Nick
Being a para for the past 6 1/2 years really did prepare me for student teaching. However, I had mainly worked at the lower elementary level (K-3). Of course I did have some college classes which involved field experience at the upper level, but this did not prepare me for what I would truly experience. My 5th graders have prepared me for the real world of teaching. They have been challenging by throwing everything at me from bullying to avoidance. They have also provided me with the opportunity of many successes. Together we have developed trust in each other and have learned to build each other up. In the beginning, we were rather dysfunctional. Yet, now we operate as one big happy family. I will miss them. I am surprised at how well I did with such a tough group. There were times I felt like a big failure. I would think I had everything on track and then something or someone would through our whole group off. Nonetheless, we have become successful and have discovered hope to preserve as a group. My students are my teachers, and I am thankful for each and every one of them.
When I first started student teaching I felt as if I had to do everything just as my cooperating teacher did. I took a lot of notes of the phrases she said and the order of how she did everything. Soon after starting solo teaching I realized that I was going to make myself crazy trying to be someone else. If I can not be myself, I will not be comfortable and not enjoy teaching. There were days when a student would tell me that I forgot something, but I started telling the students that it is okay to do things a bit differently. There were times when would say "Miss Foster would say___" or "Miss Foster would ___". I realized that it is okay to remind the students that Miss Foster was not teaching at that moment and remind them of my expectations. I guess I was pleasantly surprised to find that I could be myself and use strategies that worked for me, even if it was not a strategy that my cooperating teacher used. The basic classroom expectations were the same, but how these expectations were met might have been a bit different...and that is okay! Kathy
My dear teacher-classmates, I feel that perhaps my experience has been different as compared to most because I was fortunate enough to chose which classroom/mentor teacher I wanted to ST with after subbing in the building for a year. I had observed and subbed for my mentor teacher several times before starting ST and therefore had a great deal of knowledge and experience regarding how the day looked and felt. Therefore, I haven't had any real surprises in the classroom. The surprises so far have centered around the students in context strand and what students and families have going on outside of school.
The area of Eagle County in which my schools resides has the highest foreclosure rate in the entire Valley and we're losing kids to relocation. Our enrollment has dropped by 22 kids and the exodus is expected to continue. I have kids in my classroom sick with worry that they're going to have to move away because one of their parents can't find a job and they may lose their house. There's other rampant challenges like divorce, custody battles, and legal issues (I have parents in jail) that are more common that I would have imagined for this area. I have learned to expect the unexpected in terms of what my students deal with at home.
Surprise: 5th grade is different from kindergarten (okay that's a no-brainer). But deep down the students need the same things from their teachers: leadership, guidelines, reinforcement, caring, friendship, love, reassurance. School can be scary; growing older can be scary; leaving the familiar can be scary. There is a lot of worry outside of the classroom that manifests itself in 5th grade, that may not manifest in a KDG classroom. These kids have taught me a lot about who I am as a teacher and how to relate to students.
I've learned 1) I have to be myself 2) sometimes I'm not going to know the material as well as they do and that's okay 3) the better I know the material, the better I serve the needs of the students (even when they do know more than me!) 4) being vunerable and showing it doesn't mean they will eat you alive - their empathy levels are pretty well developed (and then they can be vunerable too).
I've learned a little better how to listen to 5th graders. What they say isn't as straight forward as what littler students will say, so there is a greater need to hear between the words. That can be the difference between making or breaking a teacher-student relationship and keeping a student on the path of learning. There have been a couple of turn around moments with a couple of students where we really had to get a measure of each other before we could go forward - hopefully the end results will be on the positive side.
There have been ups and downs and loop-de-loops. So while there have been surprises, I wasn't ever too surprised by them, because I stopped expecting things to be the "status quo." They're kids, there really isn't a status quo ;-)
I have learned that I love working with first grade more than I originally thought. When I started student teaching, I was super excited about working with Kindergarten because I love that age group, but while I found that while there was a lot of exciting interactive ways of learning, there really didn't seem to be classroom expectations. As student teaching progressed, I formed a better bond and realized that my teaching style is more like that of the first grade teachers. The students are actively engaged, but they understand what is expected of them.
Like you all, I have learned SO much during my student teaching experience. My most meaningful learning has taken place from the experience that didn't work out quite as planned. I am referring to my work sample.
Here is what I learned: - I learned that there is no limit to student learning. I didn't initially realize the distinction between essential skills and enrichment activities when I created my assessment, so I taught and tested my students on all of it. We did more than the “advanced” third grade skill group did. Although not all of my students mastered all concepts (which was hard to accept at first), the majority of them were proficient (which I learned is an awesome think in and of itself.)
- Which leads me to the most profound thing that I learned…
It is o.k. and normal for not every student to “get” everything.
I assumed that all students should earn a 4 on everything that I taught them. I was pouring my heart and soul and energy into finding new ways to differentiate the materials and to help them to do well. When some students didn’t do as well as I had hoped, I was kind of crushed. My mind immediately began thinking about what I could have done differently. I asked if I could hold a study group during intervention time and providing any extra assistance that the students needed.
I’ll admit that for a time, I was more worried about my own grade than my students. I could hear Sondra and Karen’s voice in my head saying to “make sure the work sample was my best work.” Well, was it my best work if a handful of students only kind of got it? After many hours of talks and encouragement from my coop teacher, I realized, “Yes, it was my best work.”
Not every human is going to master everything the first time it is taught. My expectations were unrealistic. I was so proud of the growth the students demonstrated, but I was overshadowing that with the fear that because their scores weren’t perfect – I wasn’t doing a good job of teaching. I am so grateful that my teacher took the time to go over my work sample with me piece-by-piece. I am glad that she was there observing my teaching and our group discussions and activities. She told me what she saw and gently led me to realize on my own that my kids learned what they did because of my teaching and effort.
I have a feeling that there are others of you out there, who like me, strive for perfection. Perfection to me used to mean 100% or an A+. However, because of this life changing experience we call student teaching, I now realized that perfection is being the best you can be and doing the best that you can do on any given task. So, my students’ scores may not have been perfect, but I am so blessed to finally realize that they all did a perfect job anyway. Mary Bravo
My biggest surprise was the unit plan. I hoped to do one on teacher Spanish, but there are no state standards so I opted to teach them a bit about Shakespeare (thinking this is ridiculous, Shakespeare is so over their heads, I'm doomed). They are so excited about the unit (that starts in April). I am not only thoroughly surprised, but their enthusiasm has worn off and now I am changing plans to make it more exciting!
I am so thankful to have had this experience in student teaching. I have learned so much and feel privileged to have learned from such a great mentor!
The biggest surprise to me was the amount of time spent planning and preparing for lessons. I knew that this would be a large portion of the job, but I had no idea how much was actually involved. It was easy to overlook prep details when I was thinking about lesson plans and creating them. When it came time to implement my lesson plans, it took a lot of time to prepare for them. Initially, I also overlooked planning of centers, art projects, school-wide competitions (such as recycle art), grade level activities, reading group prep, and photocopying. There is much more to teaching than just teaching students. I had heard this before and had a minimal understanding of it; I just didn't realize it was so much of the job. I have learned, however, that planning and prep make a BIG difference in how well lesson plans are implemented and how well students learn the material. So, it was a good learning experience; I'm not complaining.
One thing that concerned me before beginning student teaching was classroom management and routines. I was nervous that I wouldn’t be very good at this. As a part-time teacher, I had many opportunities to practice these skills. However, I didn’t feel like it was one of my strongest abilities. I was relieved to see that I was able to manage the classroom well. Prior to student teaching and while I was taking courses at Regis, I had always been curious as to what the beginning of the school year looked like and how some teachers were able to “control” their classrooms. Some classes seemed so well managed and others not. As I’m sure many of us do, I want to be a teacher in one of the well managed classes but never knew how to get there. The first couple weeks of my solo I spent re-directing students and repeating myself relentlessly. My cooperating teacher told me to hang in there as this is how I set boundaries and routines. At about the third week, I saw how important it was for me to manage the class so tightly. It was at this time that I did not need to re-direct or repeat myself. Our students knew the routines and my boundaries. It was like heaven. The class ran so smoothly that I was shocked and so pleased. I learned that I will need a period of time at the beginning of each year that will be similar to these couple weeks, in order to maintain a well managed classroom throughout the year (my cooperating teacher mentioned too that this was about the time it takes at the beginning of the year to establish boundaries and routines).
The most meaningful thing I've learned from student teaching is that I learn and probably will continue to learn alongside students. For example, when a lesson plan is too complicated (one of mine was), it's o.k. to stop the lesson, regroup, and start again by breaking the concept down even further or providing more guided practice and scaffolding.
I must say that up to this point I have found MANY things about my student teaching experience surprising as well as educational! I am finally starting to feel like I have a rhythm of my own now, separate from my cooperating teacher, and I feel far more confident. I am a little surprised at how attached I am to the students and wholeheartedly invested in their success. It is hard to imagine myself not working with them next year, and I believe they feel the same way also. They ask frequently why I can't continue at the school on a permanent basis. This has been such an amazing, emotional, frustratingly wonderful and educationally exhausting experience!! I have learned SO much about education, students and myself!!
Hey everyone~ I do not think I really had a ton of surprises this semester. I worked in the room I requested, and I am enjoying every minute. The one funny comment I have said a few times this semester is this: Several people (faculty and whomevers)have said "So who are you student teaching with?" Then I reply with my cooperating teacher, and they all say "Oh man, she is the best. How great for you!" I could not agree more, however this is the funny thing I have thought to myself: It is the best place to be because she is so amazing and wonderful, however, it is also the easiest place to feel like you "don't measure up" because she is so amazing and wonderful! Not from her, she is supportive and helpful and does everything she can to help me out. But I think, holy moly she can count ten things she would have done different in the first 5 minutes I bet! I am having a great time with her and will be sad when our time together is over! Wendy :~)
I can hardly believe that we are winding down to the finish line of student teaching. This has been an absolute amazing experience, and although I am anxious to finish ST, I look forward to team teaching with my cooperating teacher for the rest of the year :).
I have been continually amazed with my little Kindergartners. There hasn't been a dull moment with these kiddos and they make each and every day a new adventure and I love going to work!
I was surprised (well kind-of) at how much planning is needed on a daily basis. I was very forunate to have a fabulous mentor and K-team to make this process a lot easier. The collaboration amongst the K-team was unbelievable and I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to be a part of it!
One of my biggest and greatest surprises during student teaching was the fact that I could learn to truly care for every single one of my students. When I began student teaching one piece of advise that my cooperating teacher told me was to love every student. I thought that it would be easy to love most of the students but I might have a hard time loving every student. I took this teacher's advice to heart and have found that it is not hard to truly care for each and every student both the smart ones and the dirty ones, the ones who pick their noses and the ones who devour their pencils. I think that this ability will be so beneficial in my own classroom because every student will feel loved and know that they will have a safe place to be themselves.
Hi to all: My student teaching was filled with many surprises, most of which were good. I knew most of the teachers going in, but I have really become close with so many of them. My biggest surprise is how much I want to have my own classroom. I have so many ideas and things I want to do when I have the opportunity to set up my own classroom. On the other hand I don't want to leave the great teachers I have been working with. I wish I could get a job right here working with this team I am on now but in order for that to happen someone would have to leave and then it wouldn't be the same. I have been truly blessed in my student teaching experience. Looking forward to seeing you all next week. Deb Markham
I went to the UNC job fair this past Thursday and Friday. There were quite a few places I was interested in. On friday I had a 3:00 interview and before going inside, I was enjoying the sun and talking with another candidate. Maybe it's the mom in me, but since I met her all I can think of is I hope SHE gets a job! I hope I do too, but strange how God puts these people in your lives - strangers and that is what I walked away from the job fair thinking....Heather B.
Student teaching is not what I thought it would be and yet is exactly what I thought it would be. I have loved this learning experience and realized that I plan ahead for a reason. I am not as good at winging it as experienced teachers and find that my teaching reflects this. I think sometimes you have to be able to do this especially if something is not going as planned. My cooperating teacher is amazing and teaches with ease. She is honest with me about my teaching and how I can improve. I found that some days you have to change the schedule and this can really throw the students off kilter. I did have several surprises, even had a parent call and give me what for on the phone when I first started. I have really enjoyed getting to know each and every one of them. When I first started school to become an educator I often thought it would be difficult to remember all of them, but quickly found that this is not so and I remember all of them and all of their learning styles and what each one of them is capable of. I am going to miss the rest of the year with these students. I brought a box of crayons to a student this week and you would have thought I gave this child the best thing in the world. It was one of those priceless moments. He said his mother could not afford to buy him crayons and he has not had any this entire school year. I know this because I was in this class during my methods at times. He is a child that breaks pencils and crayons. I talked with him about having crayons and asked if he would like it if I brought some in for him to use. He said he would. I did this without the other students knowing and just simply placed the crayons in his desk. He was so excited when he came into class that day. He had a wonderful day and colored his project without destroying any of them. I cannot wait to have my own classroom. Sherry
I think the most surprising thing for me is how comfortable I have become in this role. From writing lesson plans to delivering them to the class, this is getting easier by the day. I have gone from being a nervous wreck who paces the classroom throughout the lecture to being casual enough to prop myself up on a desk in front of the class. I think my students feel it also, as I feel a calm has washed over the room.
I am sad to see my student teaching come to an end, I have truly enjoyed it!
I have found student teaching to be one of the most rewarding experiences ever. Everyday seems to be a new adventure and I seriously love it. There have been so many surprises, quite pleasant surprises. I love the “a-ha” moment a student has when they finally figure something out. I love when a student really discovers something that I did not think of and it puts me in a new situation and opens my eyes. I love how quickly they will point out that you are writing uphill or that is not how to make a “2” (my 2’s are pretty perfect now I must say though.) I love to see the pride on my students when they succeed. However, what has surprised me the most is how much and how quickly everything can change. You can have everything planned to the minute, but it is amazing how something always changes. Lessons you think students will understand quickly, they struggle on. Students you can always count on to be angels, all of a sudden are antsy and chatty. Technology can forever put a damper in your plans; overheads that won’t work right, computers running too slowly, promethean boards that just won’t calibrate. Fire drills, lost workbooks, dried-up markers, finding that you are completely off the subject, these all happen in the classroom and can all affect that perfectly planned lesson too.
However, what is surprising is how all of these are what also keep you on your toes and make teaching that much more enjoyable. I don’t want to be in a room where everyone is robotic and everything is planned to the second all the time. I think that would be boring not only to them, but also to me. There has to be moments where you just have to throw the plans out and just go with it. You cannot plan for everything, and those things you cannot plan for can at times truly turn into some wonderful learning opportunities.
I was surprised about how much I enjoyed student teaching. At first I was just looking forward to getting these 16 weeks done and being done with school. But, right away I started to feel comfortable in the teacher role. The teachers and administration were easy to work with, the kids were fun, and I liked to see their improvements in learning. The paper work was difficult to stay on top of, but I got used to that. I think that I am as prepared as I can be to become a teacher, and I am excited to move onto the next stage of my life.
Student teaching has been a blast! Everyone told me I would be going on a roller coaster ride, but I didn't believe them. And sure enough, I did! After watching so many teachers teach I was sure I would be able to step in and know exactly what to do. I was wrong. There are so many situations a teacher deals with and has so many choices to make. My cooperating teacher made everything look so easy. But them again, she has been teaching for a long time and knows the materials and the best way to teach each lesson. She reminded me that it is just my first time teaching the lesson and the next time it will go much smoother. It just takes practice. At first Student Teaching was wonderful and then it was very overwhelming and now I am feeling excited about teaching in my own classroom someday. I have really become attached to the students and will really miss them when my Student Teaching comes to a close. I look forward to seeing them around town and watching them as they grow. It will be interesting to see what they become. Mainly, student teaching has a been a tremendous learning experience that I will never forget.
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I think the experience you are referring to is student teaching, and it has been everything and nothing I expected! The most surprising part of the experience for me is how much I have been able to affect what students learn and appreciate in education. It has been difficult getting students motivated at times, more than I thought it would be. I would also have to say the amount of time and effort I have put in was a little overwhelming at first. Once you have a system down, it runs a little smoother, but it is not a 7 hour work day. It is more like a 12 hour work day some days, and weekends are not all your own anymore. I have found myself really having to prioritize my family life, work life and personal life more so than I ever have before. I am sure after a couple of years of teaching, this will be a lot easier to do and I will have created a routine that works for me during the school year. However, I now have a good answer to all those people who say teachers are so lucky because we get 3 months off a year. "Well, do you work 10-12 hour days during the week and 4-6 hours on the weekend for nine months straight?" We deserve a summer vacation because we work so hard for the other nine months of the year. BUT, I LOVE IT! Student teaching, as rewarding and difficult as it has been at time, has solidified my commitment to education and love of students and teaching, and if I couldn't say I definitely have found a lifelong love and career in education and teaching, I can say it now with all my heart! I guess it's a good thing because I just got accepted to my first teaching job a week and a half ago...I start in the fall of 2009. Yeah! I'm so excited...hope you all have the same luck!
ReplyDeleteWhen I started student teaching I was expecting it to be a lot of work and difficult on my family and it has proven to be just that. Yet, everyone has been great and because of that I have been able to hold my head above water. My time in the classroom is better than I expected. When I walk into my school, all my other troubles seem to fall away and I can just focus on the kids, my plans, and any new strategies I’m planning on implementing. My students make me smile even when they are doing what they are not supposed to do. I love the fact that they come into class and can’t wait to share a story or an idea with me. When their eyes light up when they’re engaged in learning or they proudly show off their work they successful finished, I get a warm feeling all over and think to my self “You helped make this happen.”
ReplyDeleteMy comfort level in the classroom and with being observed has also surprised me. All the feedback I’ve received has been extremely helpful. Most every time I try something new that was suggested by someone with more experience than me, it works. I love being in an environment with people willing to share their knowledge and experiences with me. My school has been great for my professional development. It is a safe environment in which to learn and make mistakes.
My greatest surprise has been my cooperating teacher. She is amazing, patient, open, and extremely knowledgeable. I know that I will have her to thank for most of my success as a teacher. Each day, she uses her planning time to sit down with me to see what I need. She’s been willing to answer to all my questions and listen to all my frustrations. She has made my experience the success it has been.
I have been teaching under a TTE at two schools. Although both schools are similar demographically, they have drastically different administration styles, teachers and parents. It has been a lot of adjusting and working with different personality types, but it has been a good learning experience. I do feel fortunate that I have a wonderful director and have very positive feedback. I tend to be very self critical, so when one of my principals gave me some very complimentary remarks, it was very rewarding.
ReplyDeleteStudent teaching has been quite an experience. I expected it to be a lot of work. That proved to be true. I have learned that even when I am not "working", I am dreaming about class. I also did not expect to get involved in an extra committee. Yet, I did, and now I have a job in the fall. I like to be involved, I am not very good at being passive.
ReplyDeleteMy cooperating teacher has been great. He allows me to make mistakes, to re-teach, and also to implement something that I want to try. I am grateful for the ability to make the changes that he has allowed me to make, also for the feedback that I get.
I am glad that I have learned that the time I am putting in, will probably be pretty close to what I am doing now. 7:30-5:00, plus grading papers at home. I do think that after I get a routine down that this would get easier. Planning is getting easier, it's just very time consuming to grade papers.
I have been amazed at the relationship with the students after just a few months. They are more than just my students, they are little people. I knew that I would get involved, I just did not realize how involved. I have attended basketball games and soccer is just now getting ready to start.
Oops. I forgot to put my name in my blog. Sorry,
ReplyDeleteSandi Morrison
I think my biggest, and completely pleasant, surprise has been how accepting the students have been of me. I was so nervous about this and I thought that maybe the students (especially at the high school level) would be sort of ambivalent about my being there since I'm a student teacher. But, they were so sad to see me leave and I them. I'm in an elementary school now and the students at that level are also very accepting of a new person in their classroom. I love them all and I now have a clear understanding of the teachers I've known who say they miss their students at graduation time.
ReplyDeleteI was also surprised that I'm able to figure out what to do. I was scared that after all these classes, I still wouldn't be able to put meaningful lessons together. It all seemed like such a mystery. But, it starts to come together and seeing the students work through each lesson gives me ideas for how to improve the next one.
Hey! Student teaching is exaclty what I thought it would be. It has been lots of fun and learning at every second of the day. It is however, less time consuming than working fulltime and taking classes, so it is not as hectic for me. I have found that the best part of this experience is being with a mentor teacher that is so organized. This has really helped me to see what organization can do and how much time it can save me. What a blessing. I have also found that the most difficult thing for me was to wear the microphone device for one of our hearing impaired kiddos. Now that it is like jewelry, it really saves my voice, I don't think I would want to teaach without one. This was my biggest surprise. I was not surprised at thow the studetns would react to me in my soloing experience. I knew as with any substitute teacher they would push buttons for a few days, but they didn't realize that I was just as tough as their teacher and do FOLLOW THROUGH with the discipline that was already put into place. That is the key to good classroom management and the rest was smooth sailing in that area. I have loved working with my supervising teacher and all she has had to offer. I stated in another blog that she doesnt like to lwt go of her kiddos, but I have just been patient and iplemented a few of my own ideas when I could. My facilitator is a retired principal and is awesome and I really repsect her comments because she is so knowledgeable in all aspects and for these two ladies... I owe so much to a great and positivie student teaching experience.
ReplyDeleteI feel like I have finally found the place I am suppose to be. This, as it sounds like it was for so many of you, was my biggest surprise! I have been looking for my niche for awhile now. I have muddled around in higher education now for almost 15 years. After three months in special education each day only gets better. I have discovered my fifteen years of muddling in higher education was really preparation to become a special education teacher. I have also found the harder I work and the more I reflect on what I am doing-be it teaching, collaborating, or problem-solving the better my experience becomes.
ReplyDeleteFinally, I have been extremely surpised to find out how supportive teachers, support staff and administrators are of one another. This is a breath of fresh air after coming from a profession where this was not the case.
There have been several surprises this summer. I was told the horror stories about working long days and student teaching being a grueling event, but so far it is fairly simple. I continue to hear how some people are having to work long days, and that scares me a little. I am a little nervous that I am not doing something correct now and that it will come up and bite me when I have my own classroom. I think that it might be due to my teacher having a very set routine that allows for easy planning and predictability. Also, maybe I’m at a dud school, but all of those really fun and awesome lessons I was told to do in earlier classes are looking like a waste of time. This is a tough school and it is hard enough to teach the simple lessons and the students wouldn’t be able to handle the exuberant lessons. The lessons presented by all of the primary teachers are very simplistic and follow the curriculum books almost verbatim. I have also been surprised by how much I don’t know and need to know the big picture such as what the students learned the first semester, what they learned the year prior and what they need to know in order to smoothly transition to the next grade. It has been a little difficult at times trying to teach something I assumed fourth graders would know and they don’t. The little things also get me such as when to do district assessments, what mode to teach for writing and why, or how and why does one pick certain books to read as a class or in reading groups. Aside from these, I have learned an immense amount and am looking forward to having my own classroom, experimenting, and learning about myself and what my teaching style is really like without having a premade class already set up.
ReplyDeleteWow...looks like all of you have hit upon your perfect career niches!
ReplyDeleteStudent teaching has been pretty much what I was expecting. The exciting part has been to see how much of what I have already learned as a preschool teacher for the past 8 years can carry over to a higher grade. Classroom management was a struggle for me in my first years and yet when it "clicked" things got so much better. I was a little concerned that my students for student teaching wouldn't accept me as readily as they have and I was able to learn their names much faster than I imagined. I have tried to respect my cooperating teacher and her style while still adding a few ideas of my own as well. All in all it has been a good experience and a great opportunity to learn from a mentor teacher.
ReplyDeleteI love student teaching. It was exactly what I expected it to be. My cooperating teacher is great, she have given me the opportunity to do just about everything, she even let me have a say in the students grades. One thing that surprised me was the difference in how my cooperating teacher grades papers and how I grade papers. The more I do it I see where she is coming from, but I would have never imagined that grading papers could be so complex. : ) I think the most stressful part of student teaching has been trying to get a job. Now that the school year is winding down and positions are available, I feel more stressed than ever. But like I said before, I love student teaching.
ReplyDeleteDear All,
ReplyDeleteStudent teaching has been a lot of fun for me. I love all the kids and we are having fun together. They all have such interesting personalities. I didn't know I would like 5th graders so much. I've been working with high schoolers and I thought I liked them more. They are just different. I thought I wanted to teach h.s. math but teaching all the subjects is very interesting and fun. It is a little hectic but more variety. I love that the 5th grade teachers are such a cohesive team. They work together and plan together and the comaraderie is so much fun. We share ideas and enthusiasm.
I agree with some of you who have said that this is almost a relaxing semester because there is less homework. It is just a job not a full time job elsewhere with homework on top. The portfolio has been quite a little bit of work and preparing resumes and letters, job fairs in addition has been a little more work.
I have heard some amazing things from observations in other schools are some of your thoughts that concerns me about my kids. One teacher told me she visited a 5th grade classroom where they were practicing for a performance of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night and writing limericks. My kids struggled through a simple diamante poem and work to write a 3-5 sentence letter or paragraph. Are my kids that far behind?
It has been a mix bag of emotions. When I am teaching, I feel great and enjoy the interactions with the kids. It is all the other things that go along with teaching that can drain me. Weekly meeting is last place I want to be when I had a bad week. Dealing with misunderstandings with parents can be a little intimidating. Classroom management is a rollercoaster ride that can leave you with whiplash. I guess it comes with the territory. I have realized there will be weeks were you will question your decision to become a teacher, and then something incredible happens. You make a connection with a student. You made a difference. There is not a single job that you would not feel this way. Teaching has a flow. If you can find it, the sea of teaching will feel calmer. If you cannot find the rhythm, it can cause lots of stress and sea sickness.
ReplyDeleteThe mental stress of looking for a job after school is stressful. There seems to be more teachers than positions. I think the first few years of teaching will be difficult, but you can concentrate on your job. Right now, I think all of us are being pulled in so many directions: family, school, student teaching, and finding a teaching job.
Hello all!
ReplyDeleteI think the most surprising thing for me in this experience has been how easy it was! I, by nature, am typically anxiety ridden and always stressed out when under pressure. I expected this to be the source of the worst of both, but instead it has been as if I have done this my whole life! I am used to juggling a job, school, and family. I just expected this to be more difficult than it was. I think that having a job in the school prior to this course was helpful because there weren't as many adjusts to make in regards to relationships with teachers and students. I feel like I have finally gotten a handle on how to write a lesson plan, though the school I am at doesn't require any written plans. I decided to test whether or not the Regis template was really helping or not... It helps. I don't like to do them (they are so time consuming); however, each time I used one the class went better, smoother, and just seems to have been more fun! I can't wait to use what I've learned here next year!
Lori H.
The most suprising thing I have experienced during my student teaching is what my students have to deal with outside of the classroom! I knew that children are exposed to many shocking things, but I did not realize how many students do not have a "normal" childhood. This makes me so sad! It has been a difficult challenge to attempt to better their lives with the time they have in my classroom knowing that they have to go home to a bad situation. I am very suprised by one student in particular who I chose to do a case study on. He situation is very unique and I am certain I will never deal with a situation exactly like his ever again.
ReplyDeleteLike many of you have said, student teaching has not proven to be as scary as I once thought. I am suprised to find myself feeling very comfortable in the classroom and confident with my teaching ability after my semester as a student teacher. I am also suprised that I have come to a point where I do not mind people observing me in the classroom. I have grown a lot as a teacher and am so hopeful to find a job for next year! See you all in a few days! We are almost there!!!
Hello everyone! I just want to say "Where did the time go!!!" It is just amazing to me how fast this semester has gone by.
ReplyDeleteI would have to say one thing about student teaching "Amazing". It wonderful to feel conected to the students and feel welcome in the classroom. As for me, going through personal family issues this semester, I thought I would be overwhelmed, but just the opposite. It is like as soon as I walk into that classroom and the students start walking through the door, everything else disappears.
I think for them, school also has that affect on them as well. Just like Laura said in the post right above me, the kids have to face a lot outside of the classroom and school is a safe haven for them. That is a great feeling to know when you see the smiles on their faces. See you all Thursday
My most plesant experience has been working with the fourth grade team. This is includes the two fourth grade teachers, Title 1 teacher, and a tutor. The have truly gotten me through all the bad behaviors I have experienced. In addition they have show me what a true PLC or CT is all about. I just hope in the furture I get that opprotunity to work with such great people as well. They will be hard to top!
ReplyDeleteThis whole experience has been a great adventure to me. I love working with kids from high school down to kindergarten. I just enjoy people and getting to know them and what makes them tick. I have learned something from every single person I have encountered and had the privilege to work with during the process of gaining my certification. It is exciting to think I can finally be a real teacher. I have worked in the district for 17 years in various roles. When I began this journey, it was to qualify as a Media Director. I have been heard to say, "I don't plan on ever going into the outside classroom because I love the media center." Now, I can truly say, I loved being in the classroom. It is so rewarding to get to know each child as a unique individual. Each one brings his/her own challenges and talents into the mix and only makes the final product more interesting and rewarding. I feel like I have grown a lot during this journey and I am grateful to everyone that contributed to that growth. I have gotten to know so many wonderful, caring, giving people who have reafirmed my conviction that one person can make a difference. I, too, am grateful for the open sharing of knowledge I have witnessed from all the wonderful teachers I have had the opportunity to observe and work with. I have so many ideas to add to my repetoire. I enjoyed initiating book talks and literacy centers in my classroom. My cooperating teacher was a great mentor and very willing to let me borrow and work with her special class. I will miss both her example and each of the unique individuals who make up "our" classroom. I look forward to whatever lies ahead because I feel that I will only continue to learn and grow. Bonnie Hanks
ReplyDeleteSo many, but the one that really sticks out is when all four of the kindergarten boys in one of my pull out groups ALL attacked me with hugs at the end of our time. It was also a lesson where I was being observed by my principal. Wasn't for sure if it was a good or bad thing right when it happened, since I really did lose control of the four of them at that moment... but, I guess it was for a good reason, No, a great one!!! Then the other day I had a 5th grade boy tell me that I scared him... when I asked why he said, "Because you are a girl and you like football" He had heard a couple other teachers and I talking when I said I hated to shop and would rather watch football anytime... just really made me smile. Today when he got off the bus he said, "Wow, you got lipstick on. You must be a girl!"
ReplyDeleteI think the most surprising thing is that.. I MADE IT!! On a more serious note, I am surprised at how well the students responded to me, and saw me as a "real teacher" and how much they have grown in the short time I have been there. I knew going into my student teaching experience that I was going to have to dedicate a lot of time- and I was right, I spent countless hours planning, learning, etc., but in the end I couldn't be more happy with the experience I have gotten. I knew it would be extremely rewarding, and it has been! Of course I had my ups and downs along the way, but all of my experiences have made me stronger, and have solidified the fact that I am ready to be on my own! My students, parents, cooperating teacher, and the staff have been extremely supportive of me along the way, and I am so glad I had the opportunity to meet each and every one of them and make such a profound impact on my students!
ReplyDeleteWhat a semester it has been student teaching! It finally all clicked. I am not sure about everyone else, but when I was finally in a classroom full-time things seem to make much more sense. It has been a wonderful journey learning all the teaching strategies and life long tips right along with trying to teach my students. It has been extremely fun, and very tiring! However, it all is worth it in the end. I do have to say the big suprise to me with teaching today...I realize how much loss there is spiritually within people, including students. I am not a religious person but I do have faith. I know religion should be seperate from teaching, however classroom manamgement is difficult to manage this day and age when students have no conscience of right from wrong. Maybe society has made it that way. I just needed to express this because I believe it is a great concern and is going to lead to more of a challenging world later on in life. It is pretty scary if you think about it.
ReplyDeleteSo far it has been a rollar coaster of hard work, emotion and wonderful learning experiences. Student teaching is to a degree what I had expected with a few twists. I thought it would be harder on some levels and eaier on others. I thought that classroom management would be a cake walk and lesson planning would be super hard - I have had the opposite experience. The kids are great but they test me as a new teacher in their room and I am having to work extra hard to be proactive in the managing. I am also finding that time is flying by and I am now worrying more about my portfolio and work samples than the classroom. I am hoping that is becasue I have now become comfortable in the classroom. This expereience has been fantastic and challenging and I cannot wait to have my own classroom.
ReplyDeleteI cannot believe i just spelled experience wrong in my last post - not very professional.
ReplyDeleteThe most surprising thing to me is how much energy teachers spend on talking negatively about students. I keep thinking that if we spen half of that energy on finding solutions for them we might actually get somewhere. This has been really sad to me. I realize that teachers need to vent but it goes way past that to making excuses and blaming everyone else for why a certain child isn't making progress rather than reflecting on what could be done differently in the classroom.
ReplyDeleteDuring the course of my student teaching I have been surprised by many, many things. The most surprising, and what many of you have already talked about, was the staggering amount of time that I put into teaching. I had no idea how long everything would take and simply how much energy everything takes. Whew! It has been unbelievable. One of the good surprising things was the wonderful relationships I made with kids. I knew that I would like them, but I really, really, really like them! It is going to be so hard to leave them when I am done!
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with what Nikki said. Not only was I suprised by how much time really does go into teaching and making sure that my lessons are complete but I was also very suprised at how quickly I bonded with my students. I have bonded with them to the point that I find myself getting really sad at the thought of letting my cooperating teacher have her classroom back. One Friday a student of mine said something about what we were going to be doing the next day and I stated that I was not going to be there. She got this sad look on her face and asked me why I would not be there and where I was going. I had to explain to her that the next day was Saturday and she wouldn't be there either but it made me realize that I was going to miss them as much as they would miss me. It is definitely going to be hard thats for sure.
ReplyDeleteThe most surprising part of student teaching for me was how much time went into planning and preparing for lessons. I guess I thought teachers had these magic books with all the lessons laid out and ready to be taught in them! HA was I wrong! I have learned to enjoy the process of planning and now look forward to it. I am also surprised at how easily the students and I have bonded. Although I have a very difficult bunch of kids, they love to learn and can be so delightful when they are excited about a new subject. I will truly miss them!
ReplyDeleteMore recently what is very surprising to me is how much time and money I have spent on creating my resume, cover leters, letters of recommendation, educational philosophy, transcripts, applications, (which are all tailor made for each district or school I'm applying to) plus time spent going to job fairs and interviewing. Phew! It's almost a job in itself!
ReplyDeleteHi All, this semester has been great. I have really enjoyed my time student teaching. I have found that this semester has not been as crazy busy as some of my others, although the portfolio has kept me plenty busy. I think mine is getting thicker by the day. What has surprised me the most this semester is how much I have enjoyed student teaching. I have really adjusted well and so have the students. I have loved getting to know them and watch them grow.
ReplyDeleteWith the first half of the semester and mid-term evaluation complete, I am suprised and disheartened that my weakest area was "Knowledge". I can understand that knowledge in teaching comes with time, however I feel that being at the end of my Master's degree, knowledge should be a strong point. Hopefully by the end of the semster it will improve. I'm going to dust off the reading textbooks, get out and talk to some teachers, and do research on scope and sequence to revamp my knowledge base.
ReplyDeleteOne of the things I think that most surprised me is how attached I have become to my students and they of me. My cooperating teacher was gone for a few days and the kids didn't even notice until the last day. They keep asking me what are they going to do when I'm gone (especially in any of our technology areas because the regular teacher has zero clue about how to use any of it!) I knew it would be a lot of work and I was prepared for that but I guess I wasn't as prepared to realize how much I truly love it. This is definitely the right choice of a career for me and I now think I really will make a good teacher.
ReplyDeleteProbably the most surprising thing to me has been just how open and loving these teachers are. They genuinely care about the kids and how the kids are doing in class. It is so cool, because it is mostly behind the scenes. The kids don't know how many "regrades" are done to try to get them to one grade better, or to more accurately reflect their effort, rather than the result. I love teaching with these ladies and will miss them terribly when I am done.
ReplyDeleteMichella
I have been surprised how easily I have been able to manage a classroom of 30 chemistry students. I have been teaching environmental science since January. I was apple to apply the lessons I have learned from EV science to chemistry with incredible results. Being able to effectively manage the class has made the class a pleasure to teach. I am enjoying it more and my students seem to be getting a lot out of the class.
ReplyDeleteNick
Being a para for the past 6 1/2 years really did prepare me for student teaching. However, I had mainly worked at the lower elementary level (K-3). Of course I did have some college classes which involved field experience at the upper level, but this did not prepare me for what I would truly experience. My 5th graders have prepared me for the real world of teaching. They have been challenging by throwing everything at me from bullying to avoidance. They have also provided me with the opportunity of many successes. Together we have developed trust in each other and have learned to build each other up. In the beginning, we were rather dysfunctional. Yet, now we operate as one big happy family. I will miss them.
ReplyDeleteI am surprised at how well I did with such a tough group. There were times I felt like a big failure. I would think I had everything on track and then something or someone would through our whole group off. Nonetheless, we have become successful and have discovered hope to preserve as a group. My students are my teachers, and I am thankful for each and every one of them.
When I first started student teaching I felt as if I had to do everything just as my cooperating teacher did. I took a lot of notes of the phrases she said and the order of how she did everything. Soon after starting solo teaching I realized that I was going to make myself crazy trying to be someone else. If I can not be myself, I will not be comfortable and not enjoy teaching.
ReplyDeleteThere were days when a student would tell me that I forgot something, but I started telling the students that it is okay to do things a bit differently. There were times when would say "Miss Foster would say___" or "Miss Foster would ___". I realized that it is okay to remind the students that Miss Foster was not teaching at that moment and remind them of my expectations.
I guess I was pleasantly surprised to find that I could be myself and use strategies that worked for me, even if it was not a strategy that my cooperating teacher used. The basic classroom expectations were the same, but how these expectations were met might have been a bit different...and that is okay!
Kathy
My dear teacher-classmates, I feel that perhaps my experience has been different as compared to most because I was fortunate enough to chose which classroom/mentor teacher I wanted to ST with after subbing in the building for a year. I had observed and subbed for my mentor teacher several times before starting ST and therefore had a great deal of knowledge and experience regarding how the day looked and felt. Therefore, I haven't had any real surprises in the classroom. The surprises so far have centered around the students in context strand and what students and families have going on outside of school.
ReplyDeleteThe area of Eagle County in which my schools resides has the highest foreclosure rate in the entire Valley and we're losing kids to relocation. Our enrollment has dropped by 22 kids and the exodus is expected to continue. I have kids in my classroom sick with worry that they're going to have to move away because one of their parents can't find a job and they may lose their house. There's other rampant challenges like divorce, custody battles, and legal issues (I have parents in jail) that are more common that I would have imagined for this area. I have learned to expect the unexpected in terms of what my students deal with at home.
Surprise: 5th grade is different from kindergarten (okay that's a no-brainer). But deep down the students need the same things from their teachers: leadership, guidelines, reinforcement, caring, friendship, love, reassurance. School can be scary; growing older can be scary; leaving the familiar can be scary. There is a lot of worry outside of the classroom that manifests itself in 5th grade, that may not manifest in a KDG classroom. These kids have taught me a lot about who I am as a teacher and how to relate to students.
ReplyDeleteI've learned
1) I have to be myself
2) sometimes I'm not going to know the material as well as they do and that's okay
3) the better I know the material, the better I serve the needs of the students (even when they do know more than me!)
4) being vunerable and showing it doesn't mean they will eat you alive - their empathy levels are pretty well developed (and then they can be vunerable too).
I've learned a little better how to listen to 5th graders. What they say isn't as straight forward as what littler students will say, so there is a greater need to hear between the words. That can be the difference between making or breaking a teacher-student relationship and keeping a student on the path of learning. There have been a couple of turn around moments with a couple of students where we really had to get a measure of each other before we could go forward - hopefully the end results will be on the positive side.
There have been ups and downs and loop-de-loops. So while there have been surprises, I wasn't ever too surprised by them, because I stopped expecting things to be the "status quo." They're kids, there really isn't a status quo ;-)
Good luck to everyone!
I have learned that I love working with first grade more than I originally thought. When I started student teaching, I was super excited about working with Kindergarten because I love that age group, but while I found that while there was a lot of exciting interactive ways of learning, there really didn't seem to be classroom expectations. As student teaching progressed, I formed a better bond and realized that my teaching style is more like that of the first grade teachers. The students are actively engaged, but they understand what is expected of them.
ReplyDeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteLike you all, I have learned SO much during my student teaching experience. My most meaningful learning has taken place from the experience that didn't work out quite as planned. I am referring to my work sample.
Here is what I learned:
- I learned that there is no limit to student learning. I didn't initially realize the distinction between essential skills and enrichment activities when I created my assessment, so I taught and tested my students on all of it. We did more than the “advanced” third grade skill group did. Although not all of my students mastered all concepts (which was hard to accept at first), the majority of them were proficient (which I learned is an awesome think in and of itself.)
- Which leads me to the most profound thing that I learned…
It is o.k. and normal for not every student to “get” everything.
I assumed that all students should earn a 4 on everything that I taught them. I was pouring my heart and soul and energy into finding new ways to differentiate the materials and to help them to do well. When some students didn’t do as well as I had hoped, I was kind of crushed. My mind immediately began thinking about what I could have done differently. I asked if I could hold a study group during intervention time and providing any extra assistance that the students needed.
I’ll admit that for a time, I was more worried about my own grade than my students. I could hear Sondra and Karen’s voice in my head saying to “make sure the work sample was my best work.” Well, was it my best work if a handful of students only kind of got it? After many hours of talks and encouragement from my coop teacher, I realized, “Yes, it was my best work.”
Not every human is going to master everything the first time it is taught. My expectations were unrealistic. I was so proud of the growth the students demonstrated, but I was overshadowing that with the fear that because their scores weren’t perfect – I wasn’t doing a good job of teaching. I am so grateful that my teacher took the time to go over my work sample with me piece-by-piece. I am glad that she was there observing my teaching and our group discussions and activities. She told me what she saw and gently led me to realize on my own that my kids learned what they did because of my teaching and effort.
I have a feeling that there are others of you out there, who like me, strive for perfection. Perfection to me used to mean 100% or an A+. However, because of this life changing experience we call student teaching, I now realized that perfection is being the best you can be and doing the best that you can do on any given task. So, my students’ scores may not have been perfect, but I am so blessed to finally realize that they all did a perfect job anyway.
Mary Bravo
My biggest surprise was the unit plan. I hoped to do one on teacher Spanish, but there are no state standards so I opted to teach them a bit about Shakespeare (thinking this is ridiculous, Shakespeare is so over their heads, I'm doomed). They are so excited about the unit (that starts in April). I am not only thoroughly surprised, but their enthusiasm has worn off and now I am changing plans to make it more exciting!
ReplyDeleteI am so thankful to have had this experience in student teaching. I have learned so much and feel privileged to have learned from such a great mentor!
ReplyDeleteThe biggest surprise to me was the amount of time spent planning and preparing for lessons. I knew that this would be a large portion of the job, but I had no idea how much was actually involved. It was easy to overlook prep details when I was thinking about lesson plans and creating them. When it came time to implement my lesson plans, it took a lot of time to prepare for them. Initially, I also overlooked planning of centers, art projects, school-wide competitions (such as recycle art), grade level activities, reading group prep, and photocopying. There is much more to teaching than just teaching students. I had heard this before and had a minimal understanding of it; I just didn't realize it was so much of the job. I have learned, however, that planning and prep make a BIG difference in how well lesson plans are implemented and how well students learn the material. So, it was a good learning experience; I'm not complaining.
One thing that concerned me before beginning student teaching was classroom management and routines. I was nervous that I wouldn’t be very good at this. As a part-time teacher, I had many opportunities to practice these skills. However, I didn’t feel like it was one of my strongest abilities. I was relieved to see that I was able to manage the classroom well. Prior to student teaching and while I was taking courses at Regis, I had always been curious as to what the beginning of the school year looked like and how some teachers were able to “control” their classrooms. Some classes seemed so well managed and others not. As I’m sure many of us do, I want to be a teacher in one of the well managed classes but never knew how to get there. The first couple weeks of my solo I spent re-directing students and repeating myself relentlessly. My cooperating teacher told me to hang in there as this is how I set boundaries and routines. At about the third week, I saw how important it was for me to manage the class so tightly. It was at this time that I did not need to re-direct or repeat myself. Our students knew the routines and my boundaries. It was like heaven. The class ran so smoothly that I was shocked and so pleased. I learned that I will need a period of time at the beginning of each year that will be similar to these couple weeks, in order to maintain a well managed classroom throughout the year (my cooperating teacher mentioned too that this was about the time it takes at the beginning of the year to establish boundaries and routines).
The most meaningful thing I've learned from student teaching is that I learn and probably will continue to learn alongside students. For example, when a lesson plan is too complicated (one of mine was), it's o.k. to stop the lesson, regroup, and start again by breaking the concept down even further or providing more guided practice and scaffolding.
~Leigh Wallmann
I must say that up to this point I have found MANY things about my student teaching experience surprising as well as educational! I am finally starting to feel like I have a rhythm of my own now, separate from my cooperating teacher, and I feel far more confident. I am a little surprised at how attached I am to the students and wholeheartedly invested in their success. It is hard to imagine myself not working with them next year, and I believe they feel the same way also. They ask frequently why I can't continue at the school on a permanent basis. This has been such an amazing, emotional, frustratingly wonderful and educationally exhausting experience!! I have learned SO much about education, students and myself!!
ReplyDeleteHey everyone~
ReplyDeleteI do not think I really had a ton of surprises this semester. I worked in the room I requested, and I am enjoying every minute.
The one funny comment I have said a few times this semester is this:
Several people (faculty and whomevers)have said "So who are you student teaching with?" Then I reply with my cooperating teacher, and they all say "Oh man, she is the best. How great for you!" I could not agree more, however this is the funny thing I have thought to myself: It is the best place to be because she is so amazing and wonderful, however, it is also the easiest place to feel like you "don't measure up" because she is so amazing and wonderful! Not from her, she is supportive and helpful and does everything she can to help me out. But I think, holy moly she can count ten things she would have done different in the first 5 minutes I bet!
I am having a great time with her and will be sad when our time together is over!
Wendy :~)
I can hardly believe that we are winding down to the finish line of student teaching. This has been an absolute amazing experience, and although I am anxious to finish ST, I look forward to team teaching with my cooperating teacher for the rest of the year :).
ReplyDeleteI have been continually amazed with my little Kindergartners. There hasn't been a dull moment with these kiddos and they make each and every day a new adventure and I love going to work!
I was surprised (well kind-of) at how much planning is needed on a daily basis. I was very forunate to have a fabulous mentor and K-team to make this process a lot easier. The collaboration amongst the K-team was unbelievable and I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to be a part of it!
Hi Everyone,
ReplyDeleteOne of my biggest and greatest surprises during student teaching was the fact that I could learn to truly care for every single one of my students. When I began student teaching one piece of advise that my cooperating teacher told me was to love every student. I thought that it would be easy to love most of the students but I might have a hard time loving every student. I took this teacher's advice to heart and have found that it is not hard to truly care for each and every student both the smart ones and the dirty ones, the ones who pick their noses and the ones who devour their pencils. I think that this ability will be so beneficial in my own classroom because every student will feel loved and know that they will have a safe place to be themselves.
Hi to all:
ReplyDeleteMy student teaching was filled with many surprises, most of which were good. I knew most of the teachers going in, but I have really become close with so many of them. My biggest surprise is how much I want to have my own classroom. I have so many ideas and things I want to do when I have the opportunity to set up my own classroom. On the other hand I don't want to leave the great teachers I have been working with. I wish I could get a job right here working with this team I am on now but in order for that to happen someone would have to leave and then it wouldn't be the same. I have been truly blessed in my student teaching experience.
Looking forward to seeing you all next week.
Deb Markham
I went to the UNC job fair this past Thursday and Friday. There were quite a few places I was interested in. On friday I had a 3:00 interview and before going inside, I was enjoying the sun and talking with another candidate. Maybe it's the mom in me, but since I met her all I can think of is I hope SHE gets a job! I hope I do too, but strange how God puts these people in your lives - strangers and that is what I walked away from the job fair thinking....Heather B.
ReplyDeleteStudent teaching is not what I thought it would be and yet is exactly what I thought it would be. I have loved this learning experience and realized that I plan ahead for a reason. I am not as good at winging it as experienced teachers and find that my teaching reflects this. I think sometimes you have to be able to do this especially if something is not going as planned. My cooperating teacher is amazing and teaches with ease. She is honest with me about my teaching and how I can improve. I found that some days you have to change the schedule and this can really throw the students off kilter. I did have several surprises, even had a parent call and give me what for on the phone when I first started. I have really enjoyed getting to know each and every one of them. When I first started school to become an educator I often thought it would be difficult to remember all of them, but quickly found that this is not so and I remember all of them and all of their learning styles and what each one of them is capable of. I am going to miss the rest of the year with these students.
ReplyDeleteI brought a box of crayons to a student this week and you would have thought I gave this child the best thing in the world. It was one of those priceless moments. He said his mother could not afford to buy him crayons and he has not had any this entire school year. I know this because I was in this class during my methods at times. He is a child that breaks pencils and crayons. I talked with him about having crayons and asked if he would like it if I brought some in for him to use. He said he would. I did this without the other students knowing and just simply placed the crayons in his desk. He was so excited when he came into class that day. He had a wonderful day and colored his project without destroying any of them. I cannot wait to have my own classroom.
Sherry
I think the most surprising thing for me is how comfortable I have become in this role. From writing lesson plans to delivering them to the class, this is getting easier by the day. I have gone from being a nervous wreck who paces the classroom throughout the lecture to being casual enough to prop myself up on a desk in front of the class. I think my students feel it also, as I feel a calm has washed over the room.
ReplyDeleteI am sad to see my student teaching come to an end, I have truly enjoyed it!
I have found student teaching to be one of the most rewarding experiences ever. Everyday seems to be a new adventure and I seriously love it. There have been so many surprises, quite pleasant surprises. I love the “a-ha” moment a student has when they finally figure something out. I love when a student really discovers something that I did not think of and it puts me in a new situation and opens my eyes. I love how quickly they will point out that you are writing uphill or that is not how to make a “2” (my 2’s are pretty perfect now I must say though.) I love to see the pride on my students when they succeed. However, what has surprised me the most is how much and how quickly everything can change. You can have everything planned to the minute, but it is amazing how something always changes. Lessons you think students will understand quickly, they struggle on. Students you can always count on to be angels, all of a sudden are antsy and chatty. Technology can forever put a damper in your plans; overheads that won’t work right, computers running too slowly, promethean boards that just won’t calibrate. Fire drills, lost workbooks, dried-up markers, finding that you are completely off the subject, these all happen in the classroom and can all affect that perfectly planned lesson too.
ReplyDeleteHowever, what is surprising is how all of these are what also keep you on your toes and make teaching that much more enjoyable. I don’t want to be in a room where everyone is robotic and everything is planned to the second all the time. I think that would be boring not only to them, but also to me. There has to be moments where you just have to throw the plans out and just go with it. You cannot plan for everything, and those things you cannot plan for can at times truly turn into some wonderful learning opportunities.
I was surprised about how much I enjoyed student teaching. At first I was just looking forward to getting these 16 weeks done and being done with school. But, right away I started to feel comfortable in the teacher role. The teachers and administration were easy to work with, the kids were fun, and I liked to see their improvements in learning. The paper work was difficult to stay on top of, but I got used to that. I think that I am as prepared as I can be to become a teacher, and I am excited to move onto the next stage of my life.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteStudent teaching has been a blast! Everyone told me I would be going on a roller coaster ride, but I didn't believe them. And sure enough, I did!
ReplyDeleteAfter watching so many teachers teach I was sure I would be able to step in and know exactly what to do. I was wrong. There are so many situations a teacher deals with and has so many choices to make. My cooperating teacher made everything look so easy. But them again, she has been teaching for a long time and knows the materials and the best way to teach each lesson. She reminded me that it is just my first time teaching the lesson and the next time it will go much smoother. It just takes practice. At first Student Teaching was wonderful and then it was very overwhelming and now I am feeling excited about teaching in my own classroom someday. I have really become attached to the students and will really miss them when my Student Teaching comes to a close. I look forward to seeing them around town and watching them as they grow. It will be interesting to see what they become. Mainly, student teaching has a been a tremendous learning experience that I will never forget.