Student
teaching WILL be challenging!
There
will be days that things don’t go your way—
Change
directions.
Students
will ask seemingly redundant questions,
Such
as, “Are you a real teacher!?”
You’ll
think Is that a real question??
Instead
of saying that, though, you’ll smile and respond, “I plan to be.”
“Professionals”
will voice very unprofessional opinions
Concerning
students, colleagues and anything else they can rant about.
Ignore
them. Don’t allow them taint your passion for the profession.
The
very first time you teach independently one of the
Assistant
Principals will walk in the room—
You’ll
stumble over a few words, compose yourself and then proceed.
A
student will run into your classroom and inform you that
There
is a boy vs. girl fight right outside your door.
Your
CT will try to intervene only to never return to class for the remainder of the
day
(Or
the day after that).
You’ll
be left, suddenly with the four remaining classes.
Breathe;
it’s not the end of the world.
This
is an opportunity to stand on your own two feet.
A
brilliant idea for a lesson will escape your mind
Just
as your are trying to tell your CT about it.
The
lessons will come and go faster than it seems
You
can plan them.
The
pressure of student teaching, the KPTP, kids, family
A
social life, Licensure Exams, Interviews and everything else
Will
have you feeling like you’re slowly suffocating.
Take
five, step back, prioritize your responsibilities
And
exhale.
