Online Reflection #5: Chapter Synopses of an Extremely Well-Written, Applicable, Made-Up Book

Chapter 1—At the Beginning

In this chapter, you will find valuable information regarding your student teacher’s first day as a…well…student teacher.  Your student teacher will undoubtedly be nervous and excited.  This chapter will help you address topics such as How to Introduce Your Student Teacher to the Class, How to Make it Clear to Your Students that the Student Teacher is Welcome in Your Class and Has Authority, and the ever-popular Make Sure You and Your Student Teacher Have a Plan Implemented In Case You Have to Leave for an Emergency.  As the cooperating teacher, remember that addressing these keys issues (and many more discussed in the first chapter) within the first week of school will substantially decrease the amount of stress your student teacher will experience during the semester—and trust me, she is under lots of stress already.  Furthermore, addressing these immediate concerns and needs will set the foundation for a collaborative, genuine relationship between you and your student teacher.

Chapter 2—Communicatio est eximius duper momenti!

This phrase, Latin for communication is super duper important! should always be at the forefront of your mind—as well as your student teacher’s mind!  Communication must be the cornerstone upon which your relationship with your student teacher is built.  This chapter will address the important reasoning behind exemplary communication skills, so that you can initiate and perpetuate constant communication between you and your student teacher.  In this chapter, you will learn about thoroughly discussing daily lesson plans, activities, exams, whole unit instruction, and classroom management ahead of time.  Trust us, it looks really bad when you and your student teacher reach a conversational impasse during lecture time.  Oh.  It’s also super awkward.  Communication is absolutely critical to your student teacher’s success in your classroom (and her own someday!), and it is your job to establish an impeccable, open line of communication from day one and maintain it throughout the whole semester.  And don’t worry.  The whole chapter is not in Latin. 

Chapter 3—Your Student Teacher (aka “The Sponge”)

In order to help your student teacher become as successful as possible, she needs resources.  Lots of them.  Since you have (presumably) been at this whole teaching thing for a while, we plead with you to provide a proverbial flood of resources and directions to your student teacher.  Feel free to unload anything and everything you can think of onto your student teacher.  This will overwhelm her—but in a good way.  Even though she cannot possibly use everything you provide her in a single semester, if she is smart, she will save the resources for later.  Be especially mindful to share with her tons of graphic organizers, rubrics, and activity ideas.  Your student teacher wants to be in your classroom; thus, she is eager to soak up any advice and resources she can.  Your “Sponge” will be so entranced by the virtually limitless realm of lesson plan materials, that she may feel burdened with finding the best stuff ever.  Yet you can help her tremendously by pointing her in the right direction—sharing ideas, worksheets, favorite websites, heck—even asking your colleagues to share with your student teacher can be beneficial!  Your student teacher will be eternally grateful for anything you can share with her, so anytime you come across something awesome, pass it along!  She is there to learn from you! 

Chapter 4—Maintaining Professionalism with Your Student Teacher

We know.  It’s soooo tempting to become good buddies with your student teacher.  You are, after all, fostering a relationship that can continue long after your student teacher leaves your classroom.   And while this is a GREAT thing, you need to be careful.  As a teacher, your reputation is always on the line.  The last thing you want to do is mar your professional image by getting overly-chatty or gossipy with your student teacher.  This chapter will remind you not to gossip about co-workers or the administration with your student teacher; it will also highlight the discussions you should have with your student teacher regarding problem students, parents, and faculty.  Additionally, this chapter will ask you to ponder just how much of your personal life you should share with your student teacher.  Lastly, this section of the book will show you how to address issues that may arise with your student teacher: what if she dresses like a tramp?  What if SHE is the gossipy one? and of course, What if my student teacher has bad breath?  You are the example your student teacher will look up to and tend to emulate—give her an outstanding example to follow!

Chapter 5—Helping Your Student Teacher Have a Life

Trust us, although she probably won’t ask, your student teacher will want to know how you balance work and life.  In this chapter, we will ask you to focus on questions such as: Do I come early or stay late—or both?!  Should I take grading home with me?  What is the most effective way to maximize planning period so I can actually enjoy an evening off every now and then?  How involved should I be with extracurricular activities at my school?  Then, once you have considered these questions, share your answers with your student teacher.  Of course, each teacher has different responsibilities and commitments; however, you should strive to strike a balance between who are as a teacher and who you are as a person.  You need to be able to demonstrate that you are BOTH an educator and a human being.  Also, this chapter will help you to understand that you will need to reassure your student teacher that her first year of teaching will be crazy hectic, but she will survive.  Lastly, this chapter will specify how you can encourage her every step of the way by offering suggestions, ranging from verbal affirmation to hard liquor (just kidding…well, maybe not).  Your student teacher will never forget the time she spent in your classroom.  So make that time memorable, professional, and encouraging!