Student Teaching Advice!
September 2011
“I know I'm a ______ (insert expletive)! I'll fail you and you'll be coming right back to me in January. I told you already! It's called Assertive Discipline.” Like I care about your stupid book from 1972. I thought. “First, you must write their names on the board when they are talking. Once you get to strike 3, yell, kick them out, and later call their home.” This summed up classroom discipline for me during student teaching. She kept it pretty simple. Why are you talking to them about their personal lives? You teach bell-to-bell. Now get in front of the classroom and start teaching.” This first experience had me sweating. It continued... “Why are you doing this? There are no jobs. Can you leave grad school and do something else? You're not going to help anybody.” Should I leave? One of the reasons that kept me there was because of my fat 100,000 student loan that needed to be repaid. Did I really take out 100 grand to do this?
This was stressful, so stressful that feeling deflated and dejected rattled my mind like a bumpy wooden rollercoaster ready for an exit to oblivion. Maybe—I'm not cut out to be a teacher. I decided to approach my college office about making a change from my cooperating teacher. “I don't recommend that Greg. It might not look good on your resume. Stick it out!” And that's exactly what I did. I braved the criticisms, got berated in front of students, and passed student teaching with a “P”. In the end, I passed, and she didn't get the satisfaction of failing me. Obvious hyperbole here, but it sure did feel like it though.
Some of you, hopefully not any of you, may have similar experiences. Listen, I'm not complaining about it. It toughened me up to a degree. It could of been way worse. Just know that my understanding and empathy is with you when you go through these imperfect moments and trials. Nonetheless, forget this negativity, this should be a great time for you to learn, have fun, build relationships, and gain valuable experiences from both HELPFUL and SUPPORTIVE people. Shout out to my second cooperating teacher Mrs. M. I had two experiences that were completely opposite of each other. One light, one dark. She was and still is a very special person and educator. I remember being so nervously sick before starting my special education placement. A stress lump formed in my throat as I was preparing for this new job. When I met Mrs. M and tried my first few lessons, she told me “you're going to be a great teacher.” Her early support, kindness, and expertise made me feel like it was possible to be successful and content in the field. She was more my type of teacher who showed tremendous heart and dedication to her students. She's the kind of cooperating teacher everyone should have; moreover, I'm super grateful for people like her who care about others. This positive experience really made the difference. Thank you again :)
So new anxious teacher, stick it out! If the person is crossing a “red line” and becoming disrespectful, you may need to say something or make a change. Don't make a rash or hasty decision. If you truly feel disrespected, then speak with your internship or college office about what's bothering you. This should be a very last resort though. You may during this time period hear things about your teaching you won't like. Expect lessons to fail and to be presented with a lot of new scenarios and situations that will require you to think of multiple solutions. Mistakes will be made and keep perfectionism away. You'll be doing a lot of growing and these pains are part of the process. Give yourself some slack! You are going to be a great teacher!
Bad teachers exist everywhere. People have literally gone into this field because of the perks, and trust me, you don't want this job because of the perks. It sounds cool hanging out all summer by the beach, but you'll burn out quicker than a birthday candle when kids start talking back to you and do everything they can to aggravate you. If you truly love helping someone, this job is for you. Nevertheless, you will run into your fair share of “Negative Nancy's or Complaining Chucks” type of teachers as I call them. “Teaching was better in my day when students actually gave a damn.” You'll meet the “know-it-alls”, and those that think their style is superior. Don't forget...William Shakespeare just reincarnated into Mr. Smith. This dude is writing in iambic pentameter. Everybody has an opinion too—some more useless than the next. And you thought high school was over? Well, welcome to the prom. Just kidding, but teacher clicks exist too probably in every building.
Keep being you!! Here you are, brand new to the field, having the right intentions, dealing with all this negativity, wondering if you made the right decision: You made the right decision! Don't let someone talk you out of it! Focus on your teaching, be professional, kind, and a sponge for learning. Laugh at your mistakes and your improvement will happen day-by-day. Don't worry about negative people, because they are everywhere just like the neighborhood jerk who lets his dog crap on your lawn and drives off with a dumb sullen face. I like to close my door and just focus on my students. To this day, I am courteous and friendly with everyone. I'll help anyone out with whatever knowledge that I have or don't have. Will I spend time bashing another teacher? Absolutely not! You don't like me? That's cool too—I really don't care. Friendly humans are my kind of people. Remember this too: Just because someone has been teaching for 20 plus years, doesn't make them a great teacher or an expert. It cold be twenty years of bad teaching like a groundhog's day of a bad rerun. Time has nothing to do with it. Sometimes beauty exist in the sunrise. New teachers do bring that new spirit and resolve!
Despite some of the negativity you may experience, there are a lot of good people who know what you're going through and are willing to help. Hello...I am one of them—Lol. You might find them in the teacher's lounge or in the office. Talk to your mentor teaching (and I hope you have one) about who can help with certain topics or facets of teaching. You might make a friend and find someone to support you through this journey. Take a notebook with you, write down things you like, and don't be afraid to ask questions. Test out what they say and make sure it feels natural. I received advice once that was very contrary to my personality in the classroom. Like an idiot, I tried to employ it and it blew up right in front of my face. You need to be comfortable and to be yourself. Remind yourself that you're great and doing the best you can.
Nobody has all the answers including myself. Be wise, stay humble, and be a tester of all ideas. If it works and you like it, keep it or modify it. If someone tells you their an expert in something, look the other way. Arrogance is the first sign and a hallmark of ignorance. Give me the teacher any day of the week that knows he/she is still a student. Give me the teacher who truly cares to make a difference. I like the teachers that aren't afraid to admit they don't know the answer. Arrogance is my “Achilles heel.” Oh, Helen!
I wrote this after reading some teacher groups online talking about toxic school environments. Be careful, you may quit one job to find another toxic, cesspool of an environment. There is crap everywhere. You may just have to make your classroom a place of positivity for your sanity and those of your students. Hang in there, believe in yourself, get what you can from the school, help students, and learn from these experiences. Nothing is forever! You will at some point find the right of everything and feel good...I mean... feel really good about this profession. I wish you all the best and know that if you give this profession time, you will truly love this job. You'll gain back your weekends, weeknights, have time for a special person, and all your hobbies. The beginning is just rough, but you'll be stronger and better for it. Survive student teaching! Keep the long game in mind and the temporary suffering that comes along will disappear with the realization of the power you have gained. Warriors aren't made in times of peace—Ah hum...I mean teachers. Anxiety loses to experience. Fear loses to experience! Strength is born from surviving experiences! Carry on student teacher and you'll get there! Thanks for reading!
Best wishes,
Mr. Greg aka “Your Hype Man!”