How to get the most from student teaching
Written by Michael Feder
Reviewed by Pamela M. Roggeman, EdD, Dean,聽College of Education
Student teaching is the most real-world experience a teacher candidate will have in their program before they graduate and enter the classroom in an official capacity. While this is an important professional experience, student teachers should also have fun and learn as much as they can along the way.聽
What to know about student teaching
Students studying to become teachers look forward to student teaching. This is a form of experiential job training that typically occurs toward the end of an education degree program in which the aspiring teacher works in a hands-on role at a school. This is often an unpaid experience and can last anywhere from three months to an entire school year. It鈥檚 important to note that some programs and states may require licensure exams and things like background checks to become a student teacher.
Tips for student teachers
Whether the experience lasts for a few months or an entire school year, student teaching can be exciting and challenging. Here's some advice to get the most out of the time.
Don't be afraid to ask for help
Student teachers should reach out to their mentor teacher to ask questions and receive guidance when they feel they need it.聽聽Guidance from a cooperating teacher and other faculty supervisors might include developing lesson plans, managing classrooms and grading homework assignments. They can also ask questions about maintaining work-life balance and good mental health as a teacher.
According to the National Education Association, educators are professionals with a聽, stress and burnout. By actively searching for help from mentors and administrators, ideally can help avoid burnout and improve mental health.
Build a solid support system
Having a solid support system can help make the most of the experience in the classroom. A support system can help students work their way through student teaching and enter the workforce. A support system may include:
- Program faculty
- Family
- Friends
- School mentor teacher
- School administrators and leaders
Each can potentially provide different kinds of support, including emotional and professional guidance.
Have a plan to cover the cost of living
Student teaching is normally an unpaid experience, so students need to consider how to cover the cost of living during their time.聽聽refers to the amount of money it takes to pay for necessities, including rent, utilities, healthcare and food.
Many student teachers need to work side jobs to pay their bills while they complete their educational experience. This can include driving deliveries, working online as a tutor or working in a local business. Working a remote job or as a freelancer can allow for more flexibility and space to earn money while teaching.
Get to know the host school
Always try to get to know the host school or placement site as well as possible. This normally means asking an administrator or mentor teacher for a tour. This can allow for introductions to other professionals and help a student teacher feel more comfortable as they attend from day to day.
This can also help student teachers feel more confident and more easily connect with the students. It can also be helpful to get to know as many of the site professionals and administrators as possible. They can potentially provide guidance and professional references.
Be yourself with students
Student teachers don鈥檛 have to develop an entirely different persona when they begin teaching. In fact, it will probably be much easier to just be themselves. Let their personality shine while having fun, through some of the following activities:
- Outdoor games and activities
- Fun icebreaker games to get to know the students
- Projects where the students work in groups
Taking time to focus on active lessons and group work can bring extra fun into the classroom.聽Feedback from experience with students may help shape a聽teaching philosophy. What mindset and beliefs will be carried into a teaching career? Taking the time to have fun with students can help to better understand what priorities are as a teacher.
Treat this time as a working interview
One purpose of student teaching is to understand what the day-to-day work as a teacher would be like. Gaining experience at a school helps with聽possibilities of a permanent position聽for student teachers who prove themselves and are given the opportunity to apply for an open position later on.聽Adopt the mindset that student teaching is a working interview. Attending with the understanding that administrators and mentor teachers may want to work with student teachers full time in the future helps with this mindset too.
Student teachers should show the host school or site that they are passionate about education, are willing to learn and have developed skills to be independent in the classroom.
Turn to valuable resources
It is important to maintain mental and physical health as a student teacher. To maintain this balance, turn to educational resources.
Tap into the guidance of mentor teachers and administrators, online mental health resources and professional resources such as .
Becoming a teacher can be a long journey. However, the career has the potential to impact the lives of many students. Making the most of student teaching time is one of the best ways for a student to set themselves up for success as a future full-time teacher. Learn everything possible, bond with students and enjoy the first steps to becoming a teacher.
Consider degree programs after student teaching
Whether taking the first step in a journey toward a career in education, have completed student teaching, or are looking to expand existing knowledge and skill set, 果冻视频 offers a variety of degree and certificate options. These include:
- Bachelor of Science in Education/Early Childhood Education
- Bachelor of Science in Education/Elementary Education
- Master of Arts in Education/Elementary Teacher Education
- Master of Arts in Education/Secondary Teacher Education
- Graduate Initial Teacher Certificate/Elementary
- Graduate Initial Teacher Certificate/Secondary
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
A graduate of Johns Hopkins University and its Writing Seminars program and winner of the Stephen A. Dixon Literary Prize, Michael Feder brings an eye for detail and a passion for research to every article he writes. His academic and professional background includes experience in marketing, content development, script writing and SEO. Today, he works as a multimedia specialist at 果冻视频 where he covers a variety of topics ranging from healthcare to IT.
ABOUT THE REVIEWER
As dean of the 果冻视频 College of Education,聽Pamela Roggeman has spent over a decade in higher education teacher preparation in both the public and private sector. Her experience has included national partnerships that help to advance thought leadership in the field of education. Dr. Roggeman also serves as the President of the Arizona Educational Foundation鈥檚 Board of Directors.
This article has been vetted by 果冻视频's editorial advisory committee.聽
Read more about our editorial process.