Student teaching was a crazy, amazing, exciting, stressful, exhausting, eye-opening, life-changing time where I learned A LOT! I remember being nervous to meet my mentor teacher and my students. I asked for advice from everybody I knew before I began student teaching.

But – I will tell you that I had an AMAZING mentor teacher. She valued my ideas, allowed me to learn along with her, and always encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone. She taught me to always focus on what was best for the students, and to treat them as individuals who are all capable, valuable, and deserving.

Although everybody’s student teaching experience is different, you can learn so much if you pause and take it all in.

Here’s some advice from teachers about starting your student teaching journey…

You will learn more during student teaching than all your college classes combined. And my favorite piece of advice from a mentor of mine that I’ll pass on…on days you think you’re the best teacher in the world, you’re not. On days you think you’re the worst teacher in the world, you’re not. Keep striving to be better and grow from your mistakes–we all make them! – Foreman Fun

Go beyond what is expected of you. When you are given the option to go home or stay at school and help with extra curricular activities or meet with parents, always stay at school! It shows that you are dedicated and a hard worker, you will be respected for that. – Mrs. Hartig’s Classroom | Mrs. Harting’s Classroom TPT Store

My advice to student teachers is to set one night per week as a “no homework” night for yourself.  During my internship I was exhausted all of the time.  I finally decided to create a no work night and every Tuesday my goal was to be in bed between 8-9 pm.  This required me to have some work completed ahead of time, but it also energized me for the middle of the week.  I always woke up on Wednesdays feeling refreshed. – Madame H

My advice to student teachers is to stay hungry.  Learn from those who have been in the game for a while and show Humility and Gratitude.  This, coupled with a hard work ethic will get you noticed and get you into a position where people will want to help you achieve whatever you are looking to accomplish. ( Be it getting a job, a letter of recommendation for grad school or whatever). – Science Health and PE Materials

My advice to student teachers would be to have an open mind and soak up the energy of the campus you are assigned to.  Don’t be afraid to ask questions!  You were placed in a classroom with a cooperating teacher that knows you are there to learn.  You are not expected to be perfect.  No teacher is…no matter what they say.  Be open and forthcoming with your cooperating teacher about what you want to try doing in the classroom and what advice he/she can give you to make it a success.   Most importantly, have fun because teaching is  such a unique experience! – Literacy Treasures | Literacy Treasures TPT Store

My biggest advice would be to stay on top of your lesson planning and plan as much in advance for those observations! If you are anything like I was, I was completing my internship while finishing up my special ed minor with going to 2-3 hour classes at night after a full day of interning! I would also highly suggest that you ask the principal of the school that you are interning at to observe one of your lesson (even if its just for 15-30 mins). Then ask for a write up of the observation for you to include in your teaching portfolio! My internships were at two different schools through out the course of a year. The first school I was at, I asked the principal to observe me and low and behold he stayed for an hour and a half through the whole ELA afternoon! So plan for that too! However, at my second school I did not ask the principal to observe me because I already thought I had a great addition to my portfolio. However, that principal was quite upset that I  did not ask him to come in and observe me…who would have thought! So my advice, ask them both! Lastly, stay of top of that teaching portfolio and save EVERYTHiNG! I got mine done as quickly as possible so that I didn’t have to spend my senior spring break working on my portfolio! Hope the advice helps! Best of luck and you will do great! Best Wishes, Colby at Special Inspirations, TPT

My advice to student teachers is to stay hungry.  Learn from those who have been in the game for a while and show Humility and Gratitude.  This, coupled with a hard work ethic will get you noticed and get you into a position where people will want to help you achieve whatever you are looking to accomplish. ( Be it getting a job, a letter of recommendation for grad school or whatever) – Science Health and PE Materials

Teach, observe, and reflect. I currently have a student teacher. We have worked out somewhat of a pattern. She teaches one class. I teach the same class later on in the day. Then, she reflects on differences, similarities, what worked, what didn’t, and best practices. – Heather, Science From the South

My best advice for student teachers!? Be open-minded each day, and put forth your best effort! Your students will trust you and want to work hard for you if they know you are 100% invested in them. Have fun and remember to be yourself! STAY ORGANIZED! Student teaching with college courses can be crazy! You will save yourself lots of stress if you know where things are when you need them. 

Need help staying organized?

This student teaching binder will help you keep everything in one place!

Best wishes as you join one of the most rewarding professions!

Emily

Do you have advice to add? Leave it in the comments or email me at delightfullyboring@gmail.com to be added to this post!