While entering the field of pre-student teaching (and eventually student teaching) is exciting and wonderful, I posit there are many pitfalls to avoid stumbling haphazardly into. This is by no means an all-inclusive list, yet because I’ve been doing this for several weeks now, I shall consider myself an expert. I present to you, my enthralled audience, the top five pre-student teaching academic entanglements you should make a concerted effort to avoid.
Number One: On your first day of pre-student teaching, you have a job to do. Your goal is to make the best impression you possibly can. You must smile, shakes hands, nod when your CT explains the going-ons of his classroom, and explain to him that you are excited to be there and you look forward to teaching your unit. Therefore, never, under any circumstances, should you indulge in a spinach omelet for breakfast and then not check your teeth prior to meeting your CT. Just take my word for it.
Number Two: Because you are a teacher now (Yay!) you must acknowledge your feet. You must recognize that if you are kind to your feet, they will be kind to you. Those three-inch stilettos were super cute at the shoe store, and you thought you would be okay wearing them the first three days you participated in your CT’s classroom. Boy, were you ever wrong. Trust me, there’s no use explaining your predicament to anyone; the blisters and awkward limping are a sufficient enough explanation.
Number Three: Your very first day of pre-student teaching, ask where the restroom is. Memorize that location. Trust me. When that bell rings, the halls will swarm with students and a cacophony of teenage chatter, causing you, the still-nervous pre-student teacher, to lose all mental function related to restroom locale. That is not the most opportune time to forget in which direction the restroom is. Oh. And you’re not Superman; thinking you can hold it will only cause you more grief. Probably right in the middle of a lesson.
Number Four: Know your stuff. Because you are actually responsible for helping to mold the future generations, you must take the time to plan overplan. You entered the teaching field by choice. And yes, it’s going to require a lot of hard work, time, and dedication. Take copious notes in your methods class and put real effort into your lesson planning. Again, know your stuff—because screwing up the definitions of ‘allegory’ and ‘allusion’ repeatedly in a single class period will not help your students. It will, however, make you look like a fool. This is bad. Know. Your. Stuff.
Number Five: The old adage is true: You only get one chance to make a first impression. Remember, pre-student teaching is, essentially, a job interview. You must appear confident, professional and coherent. Being given the opportunity to participate, assist, and teach in an actual classroom can be the single greatest asset to a pre-service teacher. But you must facilitate that. Believe in yourself. You chose this path. You want to teach. You can do this!
5 comments:
Amanda,
Thank you so much for this list! This is a truly unique genre reflection! I love how I can really hear your voice saying these things to me, even when you (obviously) aren't reading them to me in my office at home. I really identify with rule number four. I am so scared that I will mess something up during my lessons, something simple that I really ought to know, like the definition of alliteration; I am glad you followed it up by reminding me that I "chose this path." This is a great reminder. I did choose this. I DO want to teach. And heck yeah, I CAN do this!
Thanks again for this original and inspirational genre reflection. I will definitely be visiting it again!
Allie
Amanda,
As always you crack me up with how entertaining yet serious you can be in your writing. I think you're one of the few people who can actually incorporate humor into their writing without it looking forced, and that's no easy task! It's funny to read, and very informative. I think this would be a great piece to give to incoming pre-student teachers so they know what to expect! I wish I'd had this handy list before I started, because I've messed up on steps 2 and 3, but I quickly learned the error of my ways! This is also a nice kick in the pants for those who may be going into their pre-student teaching semester a little too light heartedly. I honestly thought this semester was going to be cake, and now I can barely keep my eyes open while typing you this thank you! Thanks for sharing, and as always thanks for a good laugh :)
Nicky
Amanda,
Thank you for you thoughtful commentary regarding the teaching mishaps that we have all either seen or done. I will now take this moment to confess that I have had to look up the meanings of "diction" and "attribute" while on the job (which greatly amused my students). I felt like the lamest person in the WORLD! :D
You took all of these would-be disasters and made them funny while also making them a practical learning opportunity. You made me smile. Thank you for that! I think that laughter and learning go hand-in-hand.
I also thank you for the energy and the depth of voice in your piece. This GR is very much a part of you and that is an important aspect in writing.
Thank you for sharing this, Amanda.
I fully appreciate this reflection. Instead of simply writing a boring list containing the dos and don'ts of pre-student teaching, you have presented a witty, interesting piece of writing that also contains such wonderful advice. I love the ending: "Believe in yourself. You chose this path. You want to teach. You can do this!" Here, you illustrate that while the struggles may be many, getting through pre-student teaching and becoming a teacher will be well worth it.
Amanda,
Thank you for sharing your great sense of humor and words of encouragement... All of these things are true and things that have been told AT me, but your humor has this crazy way of making me want to listen! You are an amazing lady and your students, whether they realize it yet or not, are very lucky to have you in their classroom!!
Jenna
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