Comments on: When Should Teachers First Teach?

By: Edie Parrott

Edie Parrott — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 22:24:24 +0000

Thank you! I just decided to treat her the way I wish I had been treated at this stage in her career. Funny how that works out!

By: Fartuun

Fartuun — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 20:19:57 +0000

I think it is important that we reflect on our lives and see what we would have done differently if a similar situation occured, and what you just did was a lesson in wisdom, if we as human learn from experience I think we have much to offer the world, and I think what you offered your aspiring teacher to be is a valuable gift!

By: Edie Parrott

Edie Parrott — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 01:07:27 +0000

Thanks for reading! I think most people agree that we should allow teachers in training to get early experiences in teaching. As long as we don’t throw them to the wolves and scare them to death, I think early experiences will help them learn to teach.

By: hoch82

hoch82 — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 01:02:39 +0000

I agree that field experience teachers should have the opportunity to plan and give mini lessons. It really puts things into perspective. I have taught for four years and have seen many examples of teachers in training not getting enough practice teaching before they student teach. A fellow teacher of mine had his field experience teacher prepare a 30 minute lesson. It took the student 2 full class periods. It taught him time management and how to pull out the most important information. I also know a student teacher who quit after three weeks. I fully support your encouragement of Amanda.

By: Edie Parrott

Edie Parrott — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 03:46:06 +0000

I agree with all of you. Margaret, your situation reminded me of a similar situation when I student taught thirty something years ago. One of the students who had gone through teacher training with us realized in the first week of student teaching that she hated it and quit. I don’t know what happened to her later. All I know is that she had almost completed four years of college with every intention of becoming a teacher and then hated it. I suspect if she had had the opportunity to teach a few lessons before student teaching, she would have discovered earlier that she didn’t like it and would have selected a different profession (and saved a lot of money).

By: Margaret Wingate

Margaret Wingate — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 13:09:32 +0000

TU’s system is to put students in the field in the 1st semester of their Junior year. My Field I students must teach 3 lessons that are observed by the mentor and myself and work in the classroom for 50 hours. I observed 2 of those students this week. They were fantastic! The kids were eating out of their hands. I have one Field I student that I sincerely doubt will make it – not because of lack of desire, enthusiasm or love of kids, but because she does not have a good command of the English language. Isn’t it better that she know that now, in order for us to get help for her than to let her sit through 3 more semesters only to be told that she won’t make it? She is bright enough. I am so glad you are letting Amanda teach – if we just had more like you!

By: Theresa Milstein

Theresa Milstein — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 01:55:18 +0000

Absolutely not!

Part of my certification required me to go to a school and teach a lesson cold. I was nervous, but glad I did it. Think about it – if the first time you ever stand in front of a classroom is when you student teach, and only then do you realize it’s not for you, wouldn’t it have been to go a year earlier?

And a five minute lesson to get a feel for it the first time sounds perfect.

By: Kelly

Kelly — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 21:40:12 +0000

No more than we are “wrong” to expect at some point, our own students need to work independently!