Are you hosting any student teachers in your classroom this year? Having a student teacher is an exciting opportunity to inform and inspire the next generation of educators. A positive student teaching experience can lay the foundation for an amazing teaching career! Make your classroom a warm and welcoming place for your student teacher with this list of advice from our community of teachers!
Here are a few ways to set your student teacher you're hosting up for success this year:
Set up a space for your student teacher
Make your student teacher feel welcome in the classroom. Provide them with a desk or space that is all their own! A personalized desk plate is a special touch. Keep the space stocked just as you would your own desk. What teacher supplies can’t you live without? Put these supplies into a teacher survival kit!
Keep your student teacher informed
Help your student teacher learn more about the school environment and procedures. Gift a student teacher binder filled with class information, the school handbook, the teacher handbook, and any other important documents (like school drill procedures) and tips they may need. Consider this the go-to “cheat sheet” with all the information the student teacher needs, in one easy-to-find binder.
Integrate Your Student Teacher into Daily Classroom Activities
Successfully incorporating a student teacher into your classroom involves thoughtful planning and gradual responsibility sharing. Here are some strategies to aid in this process:
- Gradual Responsibility Increase: Start with the student teacher observing your teaching methods. Gradually assign them tasks such as leading small group activities, assisting with lesson planning, and eventually teaching full lessons.
- Co-Teaching Opportunities: Engage in co-teaching sessions where both you and the student teacher share instructional responsibilities. This approach provides real-time modeling and feedback, fostering collaboration.
- Feedback Sessions: Schedule regular meetings to discuss observations, provide constructive feedback, and address any questions or concerns. This open communication ensures growth and development.
- Involvement in Classroom Management: Allow the student teacher to participate in managing classroom routines and behavior strategies. This hands-on experience is crucial for developing effective classroom management skills. (Oh so important!)
- Encourage Reflection: Reflection aids in identifying strengths and areas for improvement.
By thoughtfully integrating your student teacher into daily activities, you create a supportive learning environment that benefits both your students and student teacher.
Welcoming gifts for student teachers
Looking to give your student teacher a welcoming gift? Our Facebook community had tons of amazing suggestions for gifts that your student teacher is sure to appreciate. You can join in the conversation at Lucky 1st Grade Teachers and Lucky 2nd Grade Teachers!
Prepare your class for a student teacher
There is no doubt your students will be thrilled to have a student teacher in the classroom! Young learners will have many questions for the new student teacher. Help satisfy their curiosity about your new classroom helper by doing a “Get-to-Know-You” game. Have each student write down a question for the student teacher on a piece of paper. Put the questions in a jar, and each day have the student teacher choose a few questions to answer. Students will develop connections as they get to know more about the student teacher. The student teacher could also make their own All About Me Poster!
Get to know your student teacher
Consider inviting your student teacher for coffee or lunch before their first day. It’s a great way to ease first-day jitters, discuss expectations, and get to know them as a person. Building a positive professional relationship sets the stage for a successful year together.
Share this with your student teacher – not everything can be learned from a college textbook!
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We're all about working smarter, not harder! Share these teaching hacks with your student teacher (you might just learn something new, too!).
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Surround your student teacher with community
The Beatles sang it best when they said, “I get by with a little help from my friends…”. Be sure to send your student teacher to one of our Facebook groups to have them surrounded with like minded and helpful teaching community.
Lucky 1st Grade Teachers
Hosting a student teacher might feel overwhelming, but you’ve got this! You’re helping shape their journey to becoming an amazing educator—how exciting to play such an important role!
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