Dear 18 year old, just entering college Tyler
You're now known as Mr. Slattery. Some students got wind of your high school nick name: "T-Slat." But now that I have rounded out my freshmen year, you correct them and say "That's Mr. T-Slat to you guys." I know this is probably a little weird but I wanted to write a letter to you just to let you know that you successfully finished your student teaching and have a job lined up for the fall. Congrats. There are a few things that you may need to know to prepare yourself for student teaching.
1. Expect a few fights.
Where you have teenagers, you will inevitably have fights. This year I broke up 3 fights and I can confidently tell you that after the first one, you are not prepared for the next one. A little piece of advice: Don't take it personally. It's really hard to see your students duke it out in the hall ways or even a class that you are a para in but you have to remember that their hormones are raging through puberty and that you can't control the actions of your students. However, you still have the power to deescalate situations. That's your job as a classroom teacher. You play an intrical role in these students lives and its your job to protect them emotionally and physically.
2. Your last day will be your hardest.
You will have not just one last day-but two. You see, block scheduling equates to two last days so they will be your hardest. Yes, you will have cookies, and cupcakes but there will also be a few tears. You got a book signed by Alan Sitomer, the author of "The Secret Life of Sonia Rodriguez" and as you are sitting at your desk, listening to your cooperating teacher and one of our students go over missing assignments. You will then overhear them talking about the reasons she turns things in late, or not at all. Both of her parents work and she takes care of pretty much everyone int he family. She reveals that she doesn't get to start her homework until 10:30 in the evening due to her familial duties. This is literally steps you right through the plot of the book that i just mentioned. You will decide to give her your signed copy of the book because you believe that she might be able to find something out of this book and possibly give her a different outlook on life. All on your last day.
3. It happens quick.
Prepare for things to happen quick. Once you start your studen teaching you may feel like graduation is so far away but let me tell you, between your kptp, family, and friends, your student teaching year will go by so quickly. Number one rememdy for this is to expect it and prepare for it. Get all of your stuff done ahead of time so you don't have to worry about it in the future. Your load is pretty stacked between grading papers, planning, and doing other things for licensure-so stay on top of it.
Anywho, your experience through college and student teaching will carry you a long way. There are just some things that a book can't teach you; and that's experience.
Sincerely, soon to be graduate,
Mr. Slattery
Ty,
ReplyDeleteIt was great getting to work with you too. I can say that it helped having a teammate when tackling that class. I also agree with your thoughts on the general problems that arise when working with teenagers. There will definitely always be a chance of conflict. I hope that you don't have as many fights in your first year as you did this semester.
On the topic of staying on top of things, I think that procrastination is definitely a devil that all college students have faced, and as a teachers, we will have to slay that beast once and for all. What you said about the last day is also completely true. It was a bitter sweet completion to a year that was filled with obstacles. I for one will never forget my first group of students, and although I will build a relationship with every group of kids that I ever have, the first ones will hold a special place in my heart. I will see you on Saturday.
Jake