MAKING THE MOST OF STUDENT TEACHING Alex Drake UNC Charlotte Teaching Fellows Senior Symposium September 8, 2012

About Me UNC Charlotte Teaching Fellows Class of 2005 Jay M. Robinson HS ● Concord, N.C Social studies teacher, quiz bowl coach, public address announcer Research Triangle HS ● Durham, N.C present Lead history teacher, Director of Athletics

Overview Making a good first impression ▫Etiquette ▫Preparation What is student teaching? ▫An audition ▫A laboratory

Overview Making a good first impression ▫Etiquette ▫Preparation What is student teaching? ▫A laboratory ▫An audition

Making a Good First Impression Professional dress Meet the powers that be ASAP ▫Administrators ▫Office Staff ▫Facility Staff Arrive early, leave late

Making a Good First Impression Etiquette ▫Professional dress ▫Meet the powers that be ASAP  Administrators  Office Staff  Facility Staff ▫Arrive early, leave late ▫Work within your cooperating teacher’s schedule

Making a Good First Impression Preparation ▫Find out early on what you’ll be teaching ▫Get lesson plans done ahead of time ▫Stay on top of the grading and planning!

Student Teaching as a Laboratory Try what you’ve learned ▫Don’t be afraid to try new things ▫Push to be able to be innovative Don’t limit yourself to your cooperating teacher’s classes Integrate lessons with other teachers/departments

Student Teaching as an Audition Make yourself indispensable! ▫Help with after-school activities ▫Volunteer for extra duties ▫Participate in department and faculty meetings Show that you’re eager to improve ▫Classroom management ▫Ask colleagues for pointers

Summary Over the course of the year, eliminate “student” from your title Do all you can for your students AND for the school ▫But don’t burn yourself out! Have fun!!! ▫Student teaching is hard, but immensely rewarding

QUESTIONS?