Student Teaching

In order to receive a teaching certificate in the state of Washington every candidate must complete student teaching. Student teaching is not a paid experience. I am just completing my studies at Gonzaga University and am just beginning my student teaching experience. This portion of my site is meant to relate and inform about that experience.

Student Teacher Responsibilities
Student teachers assume the class schedule and supervisory responsibilities of their cooperating teacher.  A full-load for a student teacher usually consists of the very same schedule as your cooperating teacher or longer. I'm expecting more...
 

There is usually a phase-in period, when the student teacher initially observes the classes of his or her cooperating teacher and then is gradually given more responsibility.  Usually by the second or third week the student teacher should be able to assume full responsibility as required.  If the experience goes well I will stay with my class until the end of the year not just the end of the semester.
 

University Supervisors
University supervisors have prior teaching experience and expertise in their content field and are hired by the college to act as liaisons’ between the secondary school personnel and the university.  They visit the student teachers in the schools eight to twelve times during the candidate's experience.  The length of these visits varies, but the university supervisors always complete a visitation report and usually meet with the student teacher and/or the cooperating teacher to give feedback and offer advice and encouragement.

My Philosophy of Student Teaching

#1 Be Original! Teachers, staff members, and administration will appreciate someone who brings a unique personality to the student teaching experience. Teachers aren’t looking for a carbon copy of themselves, so be yourself.

#2 Be Innovative! This is your time to take all that you have learned and apply it to your teaching. Let the knowledge, ideas, and experiences you acquired along the way fuel your teaching. Don’t be afraid to experiment. Ask your cooperating teacher to allow you to try that lesson or activity you worked so hard to create.

#3 Collaborate! It is very important to network with all teachers, staff members, and administrators within the school community. The young teachers who go the extra mile to collaborate are the ones remembered down the road for prospective positions.

#4 Be Dedicated! Always show a passion for what you do. Take advantage of opportunities to become involved with activities outside of school if possible. Schools will applaud the efforts of someone who always is willing to give 110%

#5 Have fun! You can do all of the things above, but will be missing out on one of the greatest aspects of the education profession if you forget to have fun. Enjoy the students; they will make you smile every day. Enjoy your colleagues; they are wonderful role models. Enjoy the experience; it is something that you will carry along into your teaching career!

Week 1 (1/12 to 1/16) Classroom schedule, Classroom layout, Classroom Rules, Transitions project

Week 2 (1/19 to 1/23)

Week 3 (1/26 to 1/30)

Week 4 (2/2 to 2/6)

Week 5 (2/9 to 2/13)

Week 6 (2/16 to 2/20)

Week 7 (2/23 to 2/27)

Week 8 (3/2 to 3/6)

Week 9 (3/9 to 3/13)

Week 10 (3/16 to 3/20)

Week 11 (3/23 to 3/27)

Week 12 (3/30 to 4/3)

Week 13 (4/6 to 4/10)

Week 14 (4/13 to 4/17)

Week 15 (4/20 to 4/24)

Week 16 (4/27 to 5/16)