Advice from the teachers . . . please

HI,

I am a teaching student and have been both in Denmark and the US. I can honestly say that I don't know if the parents are informed that there is a student teacher in the classroom. ( I remember though in elementary school when I had a student teacher we had a note sent home.) I am surprised these days that they wouldn't inform you of any other people having contact with the children.

I have been on two rounds of student teaching (kindergarten in the US and 7th grade here in Denmark). I found that alot of the time it was hard to know what to do with the kids, I generally felt like more of a babysitter than anything else. Just being thrown into a classroom isn't any fun, sometimes the teachers expect you to pick up the lesson plans instantly and know how to handle all types of children.

I think this could be cleared up if the teacher and student teacher worked together, (I felt like I was being judged alot of the time when it should be more important how the class was doing, scary stuff) I just thought student teaching (and I was only 3 weeks out each time) was extremely hard.

I guess it is really depends on how the classroom teacher wants to "use" the student teacher. And how much effort the student teacher wants to put into the kids. (I want to add I have had some lousy ST and some great ones )

[mommax3]

I don't know that the parents are typically notified when there is a student teacher. My son had one in first grade and the only reason I knew was by him telling me.

Reading about the student teacher's response to your daughter's story idea is off-putting to me, but I wonder if your daughter took it as a joke, or if the student teacher had the kind of rapport with your daughter that she could joke about the tendency that your daughter has to "go on and on". I would ask your daughter if she was upset by that comment. Just a thought. I know that when I taught, I had a relationship with many of the kids where we joked around and were somewhat sarcastic with each other.....not all the time, but sometimes, and if some of my comments would have been isolated in a vaccum, I would have sounded quite uncaring when in reality, probably the opposite was true.

You could request to meet the student teacher, too, if you wanted to get a look at her. It would be good practice for her to interact with parents, something that is easily the most intimidating thing for a new teacher.

I know what you mean about differences between teachers, even in high-performing schools. My son has three very nurturing teachers this year and he is thriving. As a second grader, he had two good teachers who were very kind but not as warm in their personalities. He never complained, but he has really blossomed this year with more demonstrative teachers. Now I know what works well for him......he may not always get it, but it helps me to know, anyway. I know there is value in kids learning to deal with personalities that aren't always easy to gel with, but the mommy in me wishes I could make every experience my sons have a completely positive one. I think staying informed and involved is the best we can do, without smothering them.

I feel like I am blabbering incoherently......I have a sick 2 year old and have missed too much sleep! Hope this makes some sort of sense.

Sally

Sally

[Flynn]

I was a high school teacher for 5 years before I had my daughter so elementary school is a bit different (a bit??? ) but my mother was a career kindergarten teacher and my sister is a middle school teacher. Needless to say, we have discussed Education in general for years in broad terms and also specifically.

I think it is poor form for both the classroom teacher and of course the student teacher not to write a letter to the parent explaining what was going on in the classroom in the way of a "student teacher" being introduced and eventually, I am assuming, will be taking over.

Two things that came to mind when reading about your daughter's experience with the ST (Student teacher). The first was, we all make mistakes as new learning teachers and it's very possible she thought about that situation later in the day and felt badly about it.

The second thought I had was "heck yes get involved!!!!" Do you need a formal meeting? Not necessarily...get yourself in the classroom somehow or perhaps address the ST on a different topic to get a feel for how she handles herself and what her goals are as a teacher. Make sure she knows your face and your name. How much do you trust the vetran teacher? If you trust her, I'm sure she's keeping tabs on the ST since the buck will stop with her.

The situation is concerning yes but I bet there is more to the story you may not be privy too. Get to know the adults in charge and I bet you will feel much much better.

I'm an elementary school teacher, and currently have a student teacher in my classroom. When she first started I included a welcome section in my weekly newsletter letting parents know a little about her and that she would be working with their kids. Her name has also appeared on all subsequent newsletters.

As for the exchange between your daughter and the ST, I agree with Sally that the circumstances surrounding the interaction can really change how it is interpreted. Did she want the kids to give a written response? The ST may have been trying to get the her to write her answer instead of verbalizing it (although if that's the case I'm not sure why she added "if I get a chance"). Since your daughter laughed and didn't seem upset by it, it may have just been a joke between the two of them. If she felt hurt by the comment, I think you should bring your concern to the teacher. Or if you just feel you need more information, you should go to the teacher. If you're not satisfied after talking with your child's teacher, then go to the principal.

I would much prefer a parent make me aware of their questions or concerns rather than sense (or be completely unaware of) silent disapproval. It has been my experience that most issues are easily resolved. Hopefully this will be the case for you as well.

[peggyfromwastate]

my daughter has the tendency to go on and on and on... last year she had a great veteran teacher who knew just how to handle her, but this year she gets her name on the board and stuff with a rookie type of teacher (2 yrs in kg, first yr in 2nd gr). i guess i feel that with young teachers you have to cut them some slack... my daughter never complains about it, but when she comes home she talks my ear off for about 30 minutes with her pent up ideas... she's starting to get into jounalling which seems to help...

i am totally rambling, i apologize! what was the question???