So you decided to be a teacher? You spent the last four years of your college career writing countless lesson plans, IEPs, behavior management plans, and papers on the best researched based practices. Now the time has come where you no longer have to sit through countless lectures and presentations, because you are now the one who will be in charge. The time has come where you have left the role of being a student and have become a teacher. Although this transition may sound easy, it is terrifying. Stepping into the world of student teaching is unlike anything you have experienced in your college career, therefore, you do not truly know what it is like until being immersed in it. For those of you have gone through student teaching, know someone who is student teaching, or is currently a student teacher yourself, I am positive you can relate to these things…
Image courtesy of Pinterest
1. “What is this kid’s name again?!”
The first few days are filled with excitement because you are meeting and getting to know 20 plus new students. With that being said, the students will regularly quiz you on their names until you get them right. When in doubt, asking them to tell you is a lot easier than guessing the wrong name five times in a row.
2. “What button do I press on the copier to make this worksheet double sided, and how many copies did my teacher want me to make?”
No matter how many times someone explains how to work the copying machine, it is always a thousand times more difficult when you are doing it on your own. The principle of trial and error truly applies to any time your teacher has you make copies of more than five worksheets.
3. “I wonder if all the other teachers are always this tired?”
There is no easy way to put it, student teaching is tough. It is draining. You can go to bed at 9PM and still wake up at 6AM feeling exhausted. The weekends, in addition to your bed, will soon become your new best friend.
4. “Did that kid really just put THAT in their mouth?!”
No matter what grade level, there always seem to be the one kid who has to put everything in their mouth. From tissues, to crayons, to shoe laces, you name it, it has probably happened and you are the one having to decide how to politely ask the child to remove these items from their mouth.
5. “Is this outfit ‘professional’ enough?”
Nothing is more intimidating than being surrounded by a bunch of veteran teachers who have had countless years to establish their teacher wardrobe. As a college student, dress pants and khakis are hard to come by, but as a student teacher you learn quickly that comfort comes before the latest trend.
6. “How much coffee is too much coffee?”
Because let’s face it, on some of the longest days coffee is inevitable. You not only need it, the quality of your lesson plans depends on it.
7. “I wonder if my kids noticed that I just taught the whole lesson wrong?”
There will be a point in your teaching where you get to the end of a math equation and realize you solved the whole thing wrong. You will have to decide if, A) You tell your students you messed up, or B) Hope your students don’t notice and continue teaching the next problem. (A is always the best option!)
8. “What store sells the largest bottle of hand sanitizer for the best price?”
The stories you hear about getting sick during teaching are 110% true. If you weren’t a germophobe before you were a student teacher, you will be by the end.
Although some of these thoughts challenge you, they ultimately shape who you are as a teacher. Teaching is not only about direct instruction and assessment, it is about the behind the scenes work, preparation, and your own health as well. Through the process of student teaching you learn how manage all of these things, making the experience one of the most challenging, yet memorable experiences you will ever take part in!