Chapter One:
Remember That You Were The Rookie Once
è After you have been around the block a few
times, you start to forget what it was like to be a student teacher. You have
become so use to balancing planning with grading, and work with your personal
life/hobbies/interests. Perhaps you have forgotten what it was like to be a
teacher-in-training and all of the stress/poverty/sleepless nights that go along
with the territory. Cut your student
teacher some slack. He/she is in
training; they are not yet a full-fledged professional. Do not forget that they still have classes to
attend and homework assignments to complete. Also realize that your student
teacher may be a single parent who must work a part-time job and donate plasma
to survive. Do not expect perfection.
Were you perfect when you first started out? – Basically, this chapter will be all about helping cooperating
teachers reflect upon their own student teaching experiences so that they can
better connect with and understand their student teachers.
Chapter Two: Your Student
Teacher Is Not Telepathic!
è
It is important to realize that the careful
maintenance of an open line of communication between you and your student
teacher is essential to success. Your student teacher does not know your every
thought and whim, so you must make your expectations clear from the
get-go. Do not get angry if your student
teacher does not perform a certain way if you have not made what you want
clear! If you are unhappy with something
that your student teacher does, tell
them! They may not even realize that
they have done something wrong. By being open with your student teacher, you
will ensure that the experience will be one of positive learning. – This chapter will include information on
the importance of clear communication and there will be tips for cooperating
teachers who may struggle with their effective communication skills.
Chapter Three: Student
Teachers Are Not Parrots (And You Should Be Thankful For That!)
Please oh please, realize that you are an
emissary of the educational world. Conduct yourself as such. Your student
teacher wants to have a positive and healthy intern experience. Do not poison
this time for them by being a gossip or a doomsayer. Do you want to send your
student teacher running for the hills?
If you do, then you should probably consider an early retirement or a
monthly Prozac prescription. – This chapter
will be about the proper maintenance of cooperating teacher professionalism. I
have no doubt that some CTs would be offended by this chapter, but it is
necessary because I have seen and heard too much!
Chapter Four: Student Teachers Are Not Clones Or Cyborgs!
è
Remember how many teachers use the line: “Education
is not one size fits all”? Well, neither
is teaching. Think about all of the
colleagues in your department (especially the ones who teach some of the same materials
that you teach). Do they all teach the
same way? Probably not. The same holds
true for your student teacher. He/she
will not think the same way that you do and their teaching style is likely to
be very different from your own. There
is nothing wrong with this difference. Do
not clip the wings of your student teacher by expecting them to teach your lessons the way that you want them to be taught; that is not
a learning experience; that is regurgitation. The purpose of student teaching
is for a teacher-in-training to practice their ability to plan and deliver
instruction in a safe, supportive environment. Be sure that you understand your
role as a cooperating teacher. – This chapter
is meant to remind cooperating teachers that they need to loosen the reins a
bit and take a backseat so that their student teachers can truly learn and
practice their skills.
Chapter Five: Teach And Get Schooled
è
Who said
that your student teacher would be the only one learning? Student teaching can
be a great learning experience for cooperating teachers as well! Your student
teacher can help you to reignite your passion for teaching and they may even introduce
a few new strategies/ideas to you. Embrace this opportunity. Everyone knows that good teachers never stop
learning. – This chapter will remind
cooperating teachers that their role is not only to instruct and guide their
student teacher; they should also maintain an open mind and allow their selves
to learn from their student teachers.
Ms. Spears,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your advice for cooperating teachers. A lot of the suggestions you shared resonated with me as well. In chapter two you provided great advice for future CTs. Communication and making expectations clear is something CTs must do. You’re right, we as student teachers cannot read our CTs minds so they need to be clear in what they want us to do. They also need to communicate with us when we mess up or do something wrong because that is the only way we will be able to fix the mistake and improve. I also believe that CTs should be professional and not succumb to the pitfall of gossip and pettiness. Your book sounds interesting. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you, Heidi.
ReplyDeleteMercedes,
ReplyDeleteThis may be my favorite post of yours. In fact, I read it twice! I love how you included the all-important chapter on communication. Honestly, I don't think effective, open communication can be stressed enough. Ever. Thank you for reminding future CTs that their student teachers should not have to guess what they are thinking, but rather the CT should always demonstrate exemplary communication skills so their student teachers can learn by watching--and then model it themselves. (That is something I struggle with. I assume my plan is the best plan, and everyone should just be able to figure that out without me ever opening my mouth. Thank you for lesson in humility.) Thank you also for mentioning that student teaching is not, and never will be, a one-size-fits-all experience. I think CTs should always be sensitive to the differing personalities and opinions of their student teachers, and vice versa. There is valid reasoning behind the term COOPERATING teacher. Student teaching truly is meant to be, above all else, a learning experience; if CTs are going to facilitate this learning experience, they must, as you say, "loosen the reins" and appreciate that the differences between them and students teachers can work synergistically to maximize students' learning.
Thank you for all your advice this semester! Happy teaching!
Amanda