What to do with a student teacher who should not be a teacher

[teacher5]

:idontknow: Idon't know how they let some of these young adults go through the college education dept. and system, and not alert them soon enough that they just don't have what it takes to be an elementary teacher. I've come to believe that part of the problem is that the students who are attending private universities or colleges & are paying their tuition and fee bills each semester are pushed along. And as long as they can pay, they can attend class. But what kind of reflection is that for the universtity. I just had an adorable young lady who was 21 years old, but could not command the respect of the class, and appears did not put in the time and effort to prepare lessons and be prepared herself. Her supervisor claims she did not have these problems in the early primary grades. I told the supervisor that is very possible, but there needs to be a whole different mindset when dealing with 9 - 11 year olds. Also, the demands of the curriculum and the state testing must be addressed on an ongoing basis. I made the student teacher watch me teach, use my established and effective behavioral plan, and showed her how I prepare at school and at home so I come across knowledgable and confident to students as well as parents. A few of these young adults think that teaching is a 9 to 3 job. They also think if they have enough money they can buy their diploma and teaching license. I may not get another student teacher from that university, but I am not going to compromise my principles and standards for what is a qualified teacher.

[dsmms]

I don't know. When I went through the Teachers Ed program at the University of Tennessee, curriculum was emphasized strongly. My class room management has evolved, but my planning and focus on state standards is a definite strength. I am dumbfounded at the new teachers that come into work at the last minute and are the first one out of the building in the afternoon...emptyhanded. I stay late and take work home. Probably too much because I can foresee serious burnout if I don't ease up. I can't stand to feel unprepared, and I can't do it without putting the extra time in. The frustrating thing is that they make the same paycheck I do. I understand your frustration teacher5. I guess all you can do is document and voice your observations. Keep modeling what you do. Surely the supervisor is taking note of what you are saying!

[Boxcar]

Some things students do need to learn concretely in a classroom setting. The experience working with actual children isn't going to be the greatest at first. Behaviour management and on-the-spot decisions require practice. I know I need guidence in these areas starting out despite all my hard work in the college courses.

On the other hand, knowing how to prepare lessons, follow state standards, and effectively present material can and should be learned inside a university. The skills need to learned before they can be applied.

I know of one classmate of mine who really struggled in the practical arena. Do I believe she shouldn't teach? No. I think what she needed was to be given the guidence to find the right type of curriculm and the right age group to be successful. It seemed as though all the instructors were afraid that by being frank with her, they would discourage her. However, subtle wasn't cutting it. Someone should have set her down and openly discussed the areas her needed support in. She wasn't given the oppertunity to get that important feedback.

[Brit]

I think you're doing exactly the right thing, insisting on the student teacher doing what you do and watching how you do it. Where I am, classroom teachers that supervise our placements can fail us if we're not up to snuff. Everyone deserves a fair chance, and there's a STEEP learning curve, but you have to go in prepared and do your job!

Having said that, if I were an associate for a student teacher, I'd assume they knew NOTHING, as that's about what teacher's college gives you here -- everything you learn is learned with the kids hands-on.

[teacher5]

:wowee:There is something I call "teacher sense" that a good student teacher has when he/she enters your classroom. They seem to intuitively know when to get up off their seat after watching you and interact with the students. It is knowing how to stand in front of the classroom and project confidence and know how. It is speaking authoritatively and not being an authoritarian. It is carefully listening to student responses and recognizing them in an encouraging way that promotes learning. It is knowing where the professional line is drawn between the teacher and the student. These are the things I would expect to see in a student teacher who is doing their last semester and then graduating and getting a teaching license. I can model these behaviors for my student teacher, but she has to get up and deliver them confidentally. I can show her how to prepare in order to meet curriculum objectives, but she has to take some initiative to put a creative and motivational spin on a lesson to hold the interest of the students, especially when it is "show time" (when her supervisor comes to observe). I sat with this young lady before vacation, gave her the books, lessons, explained my behavioral classroom management plan, and told her to go home and prepare. I told her she could listen and watch for a couple of days, but since she is only going to be with me for 20 consecutive school days, she will need to take initiative to ease in rather quickly. She appeared scared of the curriculum and that these were 10 year olds, a few who were taller than her. I am truly hoping she spends the time over vacation preparing and learning, and after she listens and observes, will realize these kids are just bigger second graders. Thanks for taking the time to read this. If you have any suggestions on how I can boost her confidence level and make her realize you really have to put in your time to be a good teacher; give me a shout back. HAPPY NEW YEAR to all my friends on this site. Mark

[Clearly Canadian]

I've had 5 student teachers in my 10 years teaching, and I've shared student teachers with other colleagues. I agree there is a "teacher sense" that some have and others need to cultivate and then finally that some don't have at all and never will. How long until your student teacher graduates? I think you are on the right track with giving very guided behaviour plans etc. The place to start is with step by step instructions, especially with a tried and true method. Hopefully she will read what you've offered.
Does your student teacher keep a journal of their time with you? This might be a good way to offer suggestions.

[Boxcar]

Entering a new classroom is really scary for some people. Even entering as a co-teacher is hard. If you are the new person there, you worry a lot about stepping on toes. I'm great if I have the freedom to work alone or as a equal. However, coming in as a lower or new employee, I get nervous. I'm not afraid of the teaching bit. It is the offending someone part. I get the rationale behind not feeling this way and so forth, but it does affect your interations and behaviours in the beginning. Maybe some of the student-teachers preform poorly because of similiar feelings?

[teacher5]

Dear Canadian & Box Car, Time will tell. We return to school on Mon. Jan. 5th. I like the idea of the journal, but will wait a day or two before I present it because I want her to focus on the children and how I interact and implement lessons, and the classroom management system. Interestingly, this young lady already spent two months in my school in kindergarten and second grade. We are a small school with only two classes at each grade level. Although she worked at the primary level, she has a good idea of what we are all about. I checked with the kindergarten teacher who said she needed a lot of encouragement and guidance, and the second grade teacher said "She is really raw!" once again, I think time will tell. Thanks for everyones words.

[Clearly Canadian]

How has it gone for the last couple days with your student teacher? Any hope for improvement?

[auntbea]

You know, I have come to decide, that yes, you learn alot in those college classes, but, alot of it is on the job training. You can be taught, read, research, etc.. all the methods, practices, management, there is, but until you are actually in the classroom, and have those little bodies and minds in front of you, you don't know squat. Every class is different. Not all methods work from year to year. This year I have a class, that would curl your hair. I have 2 students that no matter the consquences, they just don't care. Of course that feeds another couple and the cycle somedays is difficult to stop.

Yes, I have talked to my principal and the parents. Not much headway with the parents. Principal is supportive, but when we can't take away any special classes, and we cannot paddle, it is pretty much back in my lap.

What I am trying to say is, give her time and guidance. Not everyone hits their stride right out of the box. My student teaching was horrible and the first year was worse. Maybe its a personality conflict.

Just some thoughts.:idontknow:

[David]

I have a lot of sympathy for student teachers. If my future had been based on how I performed in my student teaching days I would never have made it as a teacher. I was shy and lacking in confidence. The teachers who supervised me were kind but not very helpful. Becoming a 'good" teacher is a long and evovling process. After teaching for over 30 years I am still refining my skills and finding better ways of doing thing. I feel we shouldn't be too quick to rush to judgement on student teachers.

[Boxcar]

I still cringe about some mistakes I have made - mistakes I won't share with anybody. I just feel embarrassed about them still. Being a student teacher is hard. You do feel like everyone is watching you. It's un-nerving at times.

[Bananas]

I applaud that you have high expectations and show her how the prep is done to meet the needs of the students. That is a part of student teaching.

Having a student teacher for 20 days is a far cry from having one for an entire semester. You can model how you teach, handle behavior/classroom management, prepare the lesson plans and the standards, but each person needs to make it their own. What works for you may just not be a fit for all others.

I agree with several posters who suggest that it takes time for a teacher to cultivate their craft. It cannot just be a matter of student teaching. Veteran teachers benefit from having time to observe their peers and see how they convey some lessons.

That is why more schools are creating mentor programs for new teachers to the profession AND veterans new to the district. It provides an ease in making it a bit better for the teacher.

My evaluation from a semester of student teaching was satisfactory with a lot to be desired. This from the woman who told me to put masking tape on all raw fingers of the Downs Syndrome girl who sucked all fingers. I would have had a very good eval from the other teacher if she had done it. I shudder to think if my career were nipped in the bud due to my student teaching experience. I also shudder at the thought of my first year teaching. Going to another school has made all the difference. Getting the support and encouragement from admin and teachers made a great difference.

I am always honing my skills and reflecting as things always change and I cannot remain static. What works with some groups would not work with other groups or other years. I can always improve.

Your student teacher is raw as she is just getting her feet. Some students show more adeptness than others, but that does not necessarily mean that she will not be a good teacher in the future. Perhaps the defining key is how hard she will work at it in her future years.