Student Teacher

Are you a mentor teacher about to get a student teacher or intern? It is such an exciting time meeting them and walking them through everything it is to be a teacher. Where to start? What to say? 

Can you remember when you were a student teacher? What were you nervous about and what did you need? I try to remember this each time I get a student teacher. It is important to know how long they are going to be with you in order to prepare. I have had them for a few weeks, a couple months, and just recently the entire school year. If you only have a few weeks-months, then you will need to focus on what you think is the hardest thing to learn in that grade or as a teacher and focus a lot on that. If you have the whole year, you can take your time.

Prepare

For any amount of time make sure they have a desk with supplies, and I always have a little gift for them. It just makes the first meeting fun and exciting! One year I had a basket full of supplies they might need and one year I had some bath salts and candy for after that first day!! Every year I supply a ringed journal. I LOVE writing my to-do lists/notes in it each year, then it doesn’t get lost, and I can refer back to it if needed. Other coworkers have also purchased a school spirit shirt for them! Love this.

Tasks

The first task I always have them do is make an about me page. I include this in my back-to-school night packet. If you do not have an intern during that time, you can just send it whenever you can. I know the parents appreciate knowing that you have a student teacher and a little bit about them.

Rules

It is important to establish ground rules and what your expectations are. No one wants to have an awkward conversation when it was just miscommunication. If you haven’t had a student teacher, I would make a list while you have your first one or talk to other teachers that have and ask for the problems, they had. That might guide your conversation better. 

-What time do I get here/leave?

-What should they be doing when you are teaching?

-Can they work on their schoolwork during the day?

-What are the school rules that teachers have to follow that they should also do?

-Should they have their phone out?

-What should they be doing during duty time?

If you have an intern for a few weeks- months

Let the students know that you will be having another teacher in the classroom. DO NOT let them know they are a new teacher or a teacher in training. You want them to respect them and not run to you every 5 minutes.

Most programs will start with them watching you for a week or two. I start with a week. Right off the bat I tell them that they will be starting the day the following week. Then they can really focus in on that part of the day and take notes. I have them do this for a few weeks and each week I add something new. 

I personally do not like to give up my whole time during class because I feel like I lose a relationship with them. So typically when I give something new I take the old one back.  Eventually we teach half of the day. We continue for a unit or week then we switch. This gives them time to teach it all the way through and be able to adjust throughout the week/unit.

In primary I believe that reading is the most important subject, small groups specifically. I spend a lot of time with this and have them observe then have a group immediately. If you do not feel comfortable with this you can always have them work with your below students that still need their sounds, letters, blends. If you would like to see what my groups look like and how I plan check out the post HERE.

Another subject that is difficult and there isn’t a lot of curriculum or support is writing! YIKES!!! Here is my schedule/plan for each genre HERE. 

Something that most new teachers struggle with is classroom management. The most important thing is not to give empty threats or a thousand warnings. I constantly give suggestions and feedback in this area. HERE is a post about some of the things I have to help with behaviors in my class.

If you have the whole year….

I do everything I do above I just go into more detail and go over more subjects, organization, building relationships with staff, students and parents. I will also have them contact parents with me their if they need to during their lead weeks. We will go over conferences, report cards, intervention, and challenging students. It really is great for them to see an entire year! So much happens during B2S, the first few weeks without curriculum, parties and holiday weeks, and the end of the year when everyone needs a break!! 

I hope this helps give you some ideas on how to start and where to go if you are lucky enough to get a student teacher. Drop a comment below on your favorite tips that you have for student teachers.