Do’s and Don’ts Surviving in the Field

DO …work positively with parents and other teachers. (NOTE: Keep Internship hours separate)

DON’T …work as if you are alone on an island. Communicate with everyone all of the time.

DO …drive your students to think deeper about the subject you are teaching.

DON’T …drive your students in your vehicle. (Starbuck’s and texting No Nos)

DO …dress professionally.

DON’T …dress to win an award for the “Most Risqué Tattoo”

DO …fill the holes in your students content knowledge.

DON’T …fill the holes in your eyebrows, lips, tongues, noses, belly buttons, etc.

DO …reflect about your teaching and ways to improve it.

DON’T …reflect on how bad your students or school seem.

DO …create great lessons and activities for your students. Be creative and make lots of lemonade!

DON’T …create tension and stress between you and your Cooperating Teacher. Creativity requires you to be politically savvy.

DO …date all of your lesson plans and be clear about A/B days and class times.

DON’T …date your students, cooperating teacher, principal, etc., etc.