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Hello EduMagicians,
Welcome to episode 17: First day of student teaching. After this episode check out www.sfecich.com/17 you will find show notes, additional resources and a bonus PDF (10 must haves for your student teacher bag) .
Someone once told me that student teaching is like a 14-week interview for that school or classroom. You need to be the best teacher you can be in this placement – good day or bad day you need to bring it for the students. Whether you have a sunshine and roses relationship with your mentor teacher or if your relationship is lacking you need to bring your A game.
First thing is first when you meet your co-op thank them for allowing you to be apart of their classroom. Once you thank them get to know them a bit. You may be afraid you may not find someone to click with and gel with. It is important to know that you are not going to get along with everyone. Everyone is not going to like you. That is OK. But, lets work on how we can start the relationship out on a positive and professional note.
Conversation starters
Tell me your teaching story (and shares yours!)
Why did you become a teacher and what keeps you in the profession?
What gets you excited about in the field of education?
What are your expectations of me and my time with you from this experience?
What are some ways I can use these first days to get in front of students?
Finding a way to say during this is what I hope to get out of this experience with you...
I have 7, 8, or 9 weeks and this is what my program recommends that I do...
Observation
During the first few days you are going to be doing a lot of observing. You will be observing lesson delivery, transitions from one class to another, technology use, procedures (looking for some procedures check out www.sfecich.com/15 for more info). I encourage you to also try to observe other classes in your grade level and specials. Inquire if you can try to observe special education/ speech/OT/PT etc.
During your observation for each lesson
Make sure you have a place to document your learning whether that be a notebook or digitally record some areas of the lesson that were positive, a way to modify it for learners or improve upon it in some way, and one interesting aspect, question, or takeaway.
If you are observing your host teacher DO NOT go up to them and tell them what they can improve upon, but do ask them questions about why chose to deliver the content in such a manner, why they selected the text, or how they evaluated students. Don’t ask them in a accusatory way but ask for learning purposes.
Asking for feedback from your co-op
Think about what kind of feedback do you want from your teacher. Be specific when asking for feedback from your co-op (example question asking in blooms).
Be prepared to share how you thought it went and areas that could have been more development.
If you notice that you are getting low marks on your evaluation from your co-op ask him/her why and how you can improve.
Lastly, you are a guest in the school step it up a notch in your professionalism like the edumagician that you are!
What do I mean by this?
Dress the part. Dress like a teacher.
Carry yourself in a professional manner and speak in a way that shows you are an educator.
Arrive early to your placement
Turn in your lesson plans on time to your co-op and supervisor
Reflect often on not only content delivery but student engagement, learning, classroom management, behavior management, etc.
Be organized with your student teaching binder (check out www.sfecich.com/15 for more info)
Listen and ask questions – this is the only time you will have another certified teacher in a classroom who has your back so ask and learn.
Try something new and don’t be afraid to take a risk. Meaning try out a strategy or tech tool you will learn from this experience whether it flies high or flops.
EduMagicians, you got this! You are prepared, you know your stuff, you are ready.
Please share your strategies to slay the first few days of student teaching on Instagram or Twitter with #edumagic.
✏️Additional resources
Finding a teaching job is tough. And finding the right teaching job for you can be even harder! But don’t worry; AAEE has you covered! Attend our Education Career Fair on Thursday, October 24th, 2019 from 1 - 5 pm at the Norfolk Waterside Marriott in Norfolk, VA to find your perfect match. Candidate registration is always free, so go online to aaee.org/conference now.
✨Remember, you have the EduMagic in YOU! ✨