I was so full of excitement, nerves, and the "first-day jitters." I simply cannot believe my "first day" has come and gone already.
So what advice did my mom give me for my first day of student teaching?
The same advice she gave me my first day of school.
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| First Day of Kindergarten: Miss Brant, Mrs. Brant-Terry, and "big brother." |
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| First Day of Student Teaching: 6am FaceTime |
1.
Listen to the Teacher
Mrs. Brant-Terry: Watch the teacher. Listen to her. What are the non-verbal cues she gives to the children. How does she release the responsibility to the children? What are the routines established in the classroom, in the school, on the school yard? Replicate her words and actions. Remember you are here to learn.
Miss Brant: Our Associate Teachers have the experience and most importantly know what works best for their kids – so I believe we benefit from our placement most when we wholeheartedly embrace everything our Associate Teacher does. They are trusting us in their classroom to follow their lead and reinforce their classroom routines - and while they turn to us for the excitement and fresh ideas student teachers have, it is not our responsibility to impose our ideas of how the classroom is to run. Moreover, we are here to learn new teaching practices, and we can’t do this if we stay inside our comfort zone. For example, I found out on Thursday that my Associate Teacher is on a first-name basis with her students, and while this is something I have never experienced before, I thought it was a wonderful learning opportunity for me to gain a new perspective by embracing and mimicking exactly what my Associate Teacher practices in her classroom.
Mrs. Brant-Terry: Watch the teacher. Listen to her. What are the non-verbal cues she gives to the children. How does she release the responsibility to the children? What are the routines established in the classroom, in the school, on the school yard? Replicate her words and actions. Remember you are here to learn.
Miss Brant: Our Associate Teachers have the experience and most importantly know what works best for their kids – so I believe we benefit from our placement most when we wholeheartedly embrace everything our Associate Teacher does. They are trusting us in their classroom to follow their lead and reinforce their classroom routines - and while they turn to us for the excitement and fresh ideas student teachers have, it is not our responsibility to impose our ideas of how the classroom is to run. Moreover, we are here to learn new teaching practices, and we can’t do this if we stay inside our comfort zone. For example, I found out on Thursday that my Associate Teacher is on a first-name basis with her students, and while this is something I have never experienced before, I thought it was a wonderful learning opportunity for me to gain a new perspective by embracing and mimicking exactly what my Associate Teacher practices in her classroom.
2. Put Away Your Toys
Mrs. Brant-Terry: Be completely prepared for each and every day (have everything ready the night before), but be flexible. Anything you have taught make sure you mark. Clean up after yourself. Help to keep a tidy classroom. Always ask "Is there anything else I can do?" Remember you are always modelling for your children. Your actions speak FAR louder than your words.
Miss Brant: Some of the best
learning happens when the kids are creative – and creativity is often messy!
Nevertheless, we are citizens of our school, and contribute to the overall learning
atmosphere of the school. If our classrooms are cluttered or messy, it may not
be a safe space for our students, and it certainly is not respectful of other
staff, including teachers and custodians. We are models for our students every
day.
3. Hold Hands When You’re Crossing the Street
Mrs. Brant-Terry: You are going into a building with a ton of expertise. Ask questions, ask teachers, ask the kids. Absorb as much as you can. Ask if you can take pictures of classrooms. Make sure you are offering/giving as much as you are taking. Help in anyway you can. If there is a night time event happening at the school, offer to go and help. Find out who needs the support and give it. Now is your time to establish a collaborative mind set. Ask for help, give help, and thank people for their help.
Miss Brant: As teachers we are often used to taking the lead and feeling in control – and I personally really struggle with asking for help. Nevertheless, we are the first to encourage our students to take risks and ask questions when they need help…so why is this so hard for us? Practicum is such a rare and invaluable professional development opportunity, where we can take risks in a safe and control environment with an experienced educator – so why not collaborate, but let our Associate Teacher show us the way?
4. Share With Your Friends
Mrs. Brant-Terry: Share all of the resources you have. Offer your help. Be sure to stay in contact with your other friends out on practicum. Many hands make light work. Talk through your questions, your concerns, your "a ha" moments.
Miss Brant: As many of our university teachers have pointed out, at teacher’s college we are so fortunate to be in a constant network of professional development. While administrators and teachers certainly strive to create this network in schools, I doubt I will ever have another opportunity in my career when I have the time to I co-create and share lesson and unit plans at such a rate. Secondly, I hope to never lose the amazing network we have established as a class, and would definitely encourage other student teachers to cherish and utilize this collaboration. A few of our teachers at teacher ed. encourage us to share our lesson and day plans with each other – and I am so grateful for this! Our language teacher has had us create and share entire day plans to use when we supply teach. As a result, I now have nearly 40 day plans ranging from Kindergarten to Grade 6 curriculum, accessible to me on Google Docs. What a dream!
3. Hold Hands When You’re Crossing the Street
Mrs. Brant-Terry: You are going into a building with a ton of expertise. Ask questions, ask teachers, ask the kids. Absorb as much as you can. Ask if you can take pictures of classrooms. Make sure you are offering/giving as much as you are taking. Help in anyway you can. If there is a night time event happening at the school, offer to go and help. Find out who needs the support and give it. Now is your time to establish a collaborative mind set. Ask for help, give help, and thank people for their help.
Miss Brant: As teachers we are often used to taking the lead and feeling in control – and I personally really struggle with asking for help. Nevertheless, we are the first to encourage our students to take risks and ask questions when they need help…so why is this so hard for us? Practicum is such a rare and invaluable professional development opportunity, where we can take risks in a safe and control environment with an experienced educator – so why not collaborate, but let our Associate Teacher show us the way?
4. Share With Your Friends
Mrs. Brant-Terry: Share all of the resources you have. Offer your help. Be sure to stay in contact with your other friends out on practicum. Many hands make light work. Talk through your questions, your concerns, your "a ha" moments.
Miss Brant: As many of our university teachers have pointed out, at teacher’s college we are so fortunate to be in a constant network of professional development. While administrators and teachers certainly strive to create this network in schools, I doubt I will ever have another opportunity in my career when I have the time to I co-create and share lesson and unit plans at such a rate. Secondly, I hope to never lose the amazing network we have established as a class, and would definitely encourage other student teachers to cherish and utilize this collaboration. A few of our teachers at teacher ed. encourage us to share our lesson and day plans with each other – and I am so grateful for this! Our language teacher has had us create and share entire day plans to use when we supply teach. As a result, I now have nearly 40 day plans ranging from Kindergarten to Grade 6 curriculum, accessible to me on Google Docs. What a dream!
5. Be Kind
Mrs. Brant-Terry:
6. Believe in Yourself
Mrs. Brant-Terry:
I believe in you....always. Some things will be very easy and some things will really difficult. You have got to persevere, put a smile on your face and give it your all. Always remember that I believe in you, you must always believe in yourself. With each new experience, you are putting one more item in your back pack of experience, that you will draw on time and time again to get you through similar situations and to help others in similar situations. Don't be afraid to ask for advice, learn from your mistakes (yes you will make mistakes, you will always make mistakes), and move on. When you make a mistake do what we ask our kids to, fix it and make a plan for next time. Love yourself and believe in yourself. Two things to keep in mind, QTIP- quit taking it personally and remember rule number 6 - don't take yourself too seriously.
Miss Brant: Today was one of those days when my unwavering faith in my capabilities was shaken: new kids, new school, AND a new supply teacher in for the day. While the kids were phenomenal considering their very new routine, it was still a hectic day. Nevertheless, my mantra for today was: "I can do this." Why? Because it had to be. I have 20 students depending on me to handle each situation that gets thrown my way. It's not an option to walk away from a difficult situation, and it's not an option to not believe in myself. I have so much to learn about being an educator, but if I don't allow myself to embrace this lifelong learning process I can never unleash my hidden potential.
Mrs. Brant-Terry:
Go in to your
school with the belief that everyone is doing their very best for the children.
Remember that every parent is sending the best kid they have. Always consider
that you may be the only person who made that child feel like they matter that
day. Tell them "I am so glad you are here" and mean it. Remember even
when they struggle that every day is a brand new day. When you leave the school
make sure you acknowledge the gift of time and experience that your Associate
teacher gave you. Make sure you tell the principal what you find most welcoming
about their school.
Miss Brant: Teaching is one of those few jobs where you cannot have an “off”
day – we must give nothing but our best every day. Our students deal with a
multitude of difficult situations outside of the classroom, so we strive to
create a safe learning space for our students – but this cannot be achieved if
we allow life’s pressures to affect what we give our students. We ask our
students to give their very best, every day, even when things get tough; we
must offer the same in return. Some days we are exhausted – physically,
emotionally and mentally – but this should never compromise the love and joy we
bring to our students lives.
6. Believe in Yourself
Mrs. Brant-Terry:
I believe in you....always. Some things will be very easy and some things will really difficult. You have got to persevere, put a smile on your face and give it your all. Always remember that I believe in you, you must always believe in yourself. With each new experience, you are putting one more item in your back pack of experience, that you will draw on time and time again to get you through similar situations and to help others in similar situations. Don't be afraid to ask for advice, learn from your mistakes (yes you will make mistakes, you will always make mistakes), and move on. When you make a mistake do what we ask our kids to, fix it and make a plan for next time. Love yourself and believe in yourself. Two things to keep in mind, QTIP- quit taking it personally and remember rule number 6 - don't take yourself too seriously.
Miss Brant: Today was one of those days when my unwavering faith in my capabilities was shaken: new kids, new school, AND a new supply teacher in for the day. While the kids were phenomenal considering their very new routine, it was still a hectic day. Nevertheless, my mantra for today was: "I can do this." Why? Because it had to be. I have 20 students depending on me to handle each situation that gets thrown my way. It's not an option to walk away from a difficult situation, and it's not an option to not believe in myself. I have so much to learn about being an educator, but if I don't allow myself to embrace this lifelong learning process I can never unleash my hidden potential.
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