Student Teaching Survival Kit: Supporting Preservice Teachers with Care and Creativity

Guest Post by @teachingmissamy

Hello Edumagicians!

I’m thrilled to introduce Miss Amy Geggie, a preservice teacher studying in Australia. Recently, she shared an inspiring post on Instagram about creating care packages for preservice teachers, and I loved it so much that I invited her to write a guest post. So without further ado, here’s the amazing Miss Geggie (insert round of applause here)!

Why a Student Teaching Survival Kit Matters

When it comes to student teaching, some preservice teachers feel confident, while others feel overwhelmed, especially when stepping into a primary classroom for the first time. My peers and I had completed practicums in early learning settings like kindergarten and nursery, but primary school was a whole new world. Suddenly, we had the entire Australian Curriculum to navigate.

To help ease the stress, I created a student teaching survival kit inspired by other preservice teachers on Instagram. For example, @little.creature.teacher made a winter survival box to support her immune system, and @teachingwithmissbennett received a thoughtful kit from her friend @nicoleraylene.

I wanted to create something that would support my peers during our 25-day practicum experience, which included five lead-in days followed by four full-time weeks in Term 4.

What’s Inside a Student Teaching Survival Kit

Here’s what I included in each kit to help my fellow preservice teachers feel supported and prepared:

• Flair pens (because they write like a dream)

• Sticky notes (especially helpful in low-SES classrooms without tech access)

• Teacher stamp

• Glue stick and eraser

• Band-aids

• Hand sanitizer

• Tissues (for that mid-semester cry)

• Chewing gum

• Candy

  
  

Each item came with a cute tag explaining its purpose, reminding our PSTs to smile and that they’ve got this!

The final item was a USB drive—the USB to end all USBs. It included:

• University documents (time sheets, handbooks, induction forms, interim and final reports)

• A basic placement planner

• Australian Curriculum continuum and content sequences for each Key Learning Area

  
  

With these thoughtful touches, the survival kits helped calm nerves and reminded everyone how far they’ve come. The surprise gift gave them a moment to reflect and feel excited about the journey ahead.

Encouragement for Preservice Teachers

To all preservice teachers currently on placement or preparing to start, good luck! You are capable, creative, and ready to make a difference.

Remember:

• It’s not as scary as it seems you will survive

• Ask your mentor lots of questions

• Set goals and reflect on your purpose

• Most importantly, have fun!

Connect with Dr. Sam Fecich

Want to keep the conversation going beyond the blog? I’d love to connect with you! Whether you're a future educator, a current teacher, or someone passionate about edtech and innovation in the classroom, there are plenty of ways to stay inspired and supported.

Discover Your Student Teacher Superpower. Take the free quiz: What’s Your Student Teacher Superpower? and uncover your unique strengths in the classroom!

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Remember, EDUmagicians...You have the EduMagic within you. Keep shining, keep growing, and keep making a difference.