Online Reflection #4 Option #2 Book Outline with Chapter
Synopses
It’s Dangerous to Go Alone! Take this… (and this, and that, too):
a student teacher survival manual
Chapter One:
Plan, over-plan, and re-plan
Start early! Work with your
cooperating teacher to build a schedule that allows you plenty of time for collaborative
planning. You need to know what your CT wants of you, but your CT needs to know
what you have to do and what help you need. Learn about being assertive,
polite, and organized. Create lesson plans that any sub off the streets can
take and teach, let alone your CT. Get pointers on grading, class culture, and
classroom management, before you are introduced to class. Have a strong,
interesting introduction!
Chapter Two: A rose by any other name…
Names come easy
to some, hard to others. Know your weaknesses and strengths. You will mix up
names and students…apologize and move on. Set up the class to best facilitate
your ability to learn class culture, student names, and promote learning.
Chapter Three: I don’t always have teachable moments, but when I do…I miss ‘em
If something
goes wrong, use it to show how human you are, and to teach problem solving and
patience skills. Ask for help if it available. Be flexible. Do not be ashamed
to say you don’t know, or you are sorry – but move on.
Technology is a iffy, iffy thing in most modern schools. Be prepared for everything to go wrong. Have a back-up plan, and a emergency back-up plan to the back-up plan. Roll with the punches and don't blame it on the IT or technology staff. Sometimes they do not have access to solutions and are struggling just like you. If it makes you too angry: buy what you need , write a grant, or write a senator.
Chapter Four: Gotta catch ‘em all!
Just because it
feels like utter chaos to you, does not mean learning is not happening.
However, pick the battles that are important to you and that promote learning. You are not a cop or a prison guard. You are an educator. Do what is in the best interest of that particular position.
There will be those students who hate you, who push your buttons, or who cannot
stand to be in your class. Make a connection with them and keep your calm.
Sometimes those are the students you have the biggest positive impact on!
Chapter Five: Consistency is hard in real life
We all have
those moments when we act or speak against our accepted rules. Stop, adjust,
and move on. Do not be a constant hindrance in the classroom by changing policy
and procedures for students. When students are unsure, they cannot make the
best choices. Students will have a million reasons to “break” the rules for
them, be careful when and how you make these decisions. Get advice from trusted
mentors and take any accommodations into account, but in the end you have to
decide if their need is greater than the class seeing a consistent teacher.
Chapter Six: Now for a taste of things to come...
It will get
worse before it gets better. It will get better. Take time for yourself and
de-stress regularly. Find a mentor that can help you, even if it isn’t your CT
or even a teacher. Put into the class what you want to get back. Be ten times
more organized and planned than you ever think you will need to be. Smile.
Breathe.
Molly,
ReplyDeleteI loved reading your chapters of advice. The pictures that you had to go along with them and the catchy chapter titles were fun and made this post easy. I especially connected to chapter one. I think it made eveyrthing extremely difficult for some student teachers when they were not given the adequate information/supplies soon enough. I think it is unfair and unrealistic to only allow a week or two for a student teacher to plan a unit. I think by having a concrete deadline for cooperating teachers during the fall semester to notify student teachers what they would be teaching would be more reasonable and would ulitmately make the student teachers more successful. I look forward to hearing more about your teaching experiences next year! Good luck!
Dear Ms Weber,
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderfully, fun post. Chapter three is spot on. Sometimes, we as teachers forget that we are human. I find that students are very forgiving as long as we are honest. Own up, clarify the confusion and move on to the next step. You are spot on when you state that you must have a backup plan. You never know when something is going to go awry. I especially appreciated how you gave a shout out to the IT people and how we should be more appreciative and understanding toward them. I think this would be an extremely frustrating job and am grateful for my building support every day.
Also, chapter four regarding relationships is crucial. I think that is one of the number one lessons a new teacher needs to learn. Organized chaos must occur, at times, for learning to occur. Relationships must be built and battles must be chosen. It is extremely hard to not let this get to you, but it is not personal. I agree that some of the students that give you the hardest time are the ones who need you most.
Good luck in your endeavors. Have a wonderful summer!
Mrs. Quincy
Molly
ReplyDeleteI absolutely loved your chapter synopses! Thank your for sharing the very funny photos as well (I love the "What my friends think I do" photo -- made me laugh out loud). Each of your chapters were exactly right. Chapter one especially resonated with me because I had a short window to plan my unit and I almost died from the stress. I agree with Tiffany when she mentioned that CTs should have a deadline for when they give student teachers their unit.
I also liked chapter two; there were many times that I called a student by the wrong name. All you can do is apologize and make a point of not doing it again.
It has been great getting to know you and working with you. I wish you the best of luck next year. Have a great summer!
Emily