First day as a student teacher, first staff meeting, first unintentional (I hope) insult from a student... and so it begins!
From 1st impressions, including the Principal scaring the bejeebers out of me, I think this will be a good fit for me-- the school and especially my classroom is well run, well behaved, and focused on doing the best for and getting the best from the students. My Master Teacher is a crack-up, serious and caring at the same time, making sure her students have what they need to succeed and insuring they each take the personal responsibility to do so. She's given me several "homework" assignments for this weekend, lessons to do next week in Math and Language Arts plus a classroom clean-up project, so she's not wasting any time getting me involved (glad school's out Monday, gotta an extra day to work on everything)...
The Principal met me bright and early and impressed upon me the Two Rules to Succeed: never e-mail-- the more real, live conversations you can have with people the farther you'll go, and never, ever be alone with any student. I'm paraphrasing; he made both statements with much more intensity and emphasis than I can convey.
As for the student slam, when asked to welcome me and say how they'll help me or say something nice about me, one boy said my forehead sure was nice and shiny...
3 comments:
I am so excited to see that you got a student teaching placement! I know it can be overwhelming, but keep your chin up. You are ready to do this. Heck, you were already initiated with your first insult. That's how you know you are making an impact. ;) Keep posting and I'll keep checking up!
Congrats, Teacher Dad! Pretty brave to do a blog AND start student teaching. Have had many interns in my 37 (and last) year of teaching, mostly in intermediate grades like 5th, and best advice I can give you is this. Don't talk to anyone about a student or another teacher as it can come back to bite you! Also, if the comment that student made is the worst you get, than you will have made history! I wish you all the luck in the world and only hope with the awful shape education is in today, that you don't get discouraged as I see great young teachers getting put down and bogged down with so much that they leave. Remember, half of all the "stuff" they give you to do is, well, let's see to be politically correct, useless (but you know I have another word for it)...sometimes you just nod when asked to do something and then if you don't understand or it seems senseless, skip it as many times those requests are never followed up on and the people who are yanking your chain are doing just that. BUT remember, those kids love you and for most of them, you will be the best part of their day! For many, you will make such an impression with even the tiniest thing like a "good morning, Johnny" can make that child's day and he will long remember it. We ARE the good guys no matter what people will try and make you think after a while. GO get 'em, teach!
Congrats on your student teaching position!
My bachelor degree is in social work. I worked as a counselor and case manager for 5 years before going back to school to get my teaching certification. 6 years later, I think I've found my career match. It sounds like you are already dedicated...I hope things go well for you!
Thanks for joining me as a follower...it's nice to know there are some people who actually read my rambling thoughts. :)
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