Foibles of student teaching
It’s complicated. For student teaching you work with a school teacher to observe, plan, teach, and assess. You become a part of their classroom, working with the students, using the curriculum, being there. For the past term (since September) I was working with a 5th grade teacher. The whole time it was very difficult to get information from her, to coordinate things, and it was actually uncomfortable being in her room. I was never made a part of her lessons or room. I was just there. Last term I only had small assignments and was there once a week. This term I’ll be there all day 4 days a week, and gradually take on teaching lessons. I knew this was going to be a challenge with her, so I tried to prime her. I tried giving her the information before the break, and telling her what I’ll be doing. She was fine with it. But actually, my program is intricate, complex, and it requires that I’m working with someone. Last week, I sent out an email with details about the term - what I need from her, and what I’ll be doing. I admit it was long, but I really needed to see how she would respond. Because I need to know I can work with her.
Then came today, first day back. When she got her break and was eating her lunch I took to asking her the most important questions. I need to start knowing what her curriculum map is and what subject I could start teaching when the time comes. As the conversation progressed she started telling me how she is doubting I can get what I need done, because of the State benchmarks. She didn’t see where I could teach. Even the one lesson area I could teach, word work in the morning, she started to have doubts. Then it was said how she’s surprised they put a student teacher in the 5th grade, and that lower grades would be better for me. Then it became very clear that I wouldn’t be able to thrive and do what is needed in her room, and I should move grades. It’s not just I have to teach lessons, I have to plan them with her, have her observe, we have to review the observation together and so on. It became very clear that there’s no time for this.
I spoke to my coordinator and she gets my issue. But it’s more than just the State tests that’s a problem. I get the sense she doesn’t want to go through with having a student teacher, and this was her way of getting out of it. I don’t know if I did something in particular or what. All I know is that I need to change classes and now. I have to start getting to know a new set of kids and classroom to complete my first assignments.
All day I had a “I’m getting sick” headache, which didn’t help process this bizarre experience. I almost feel like I was set up and manipulated. I’m also just exasperated because I knew it wasn’t working but felt there wasn’t anything I could do. Oddly, I do feel relief that I can change. I wasn’t enjoying her method and style of teaching.
Well that’s the day in my life.
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