FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1) How do you choose a good placement?
Choosing a placement is like choosing a job, you want to find a good match. To make finding a good placement easier, consider these criteria:
- Grade level(s)
- Does the school have an administration with a similar educational philosophy to yours?
- Are you a hands-on teacher or do you prefer direct instruction? Try to
find a teacher who uses similar methods.
- What strengths or interests do you have that can be shared with
students?
- Do you prefer working in an urban or suburban setting? Parochial,
public, or independent?
Look for a school and administration that reflects the educational issues important to you; for example, if you tend to be a creative teacher,
look for schools that have a PTA and administration who support the arts. If you prefer science and technology, work with the coordinator of
student teaching to place you in a magnet school with these areas of specializtion. If you prefer direct instruction and teaching from a script,
do a bit of research to find out what schools implement this kind of program.
Be sure to speak clearly with the director of student teaching to inquire about which teachers might be most ideal for you to work with.
Just as the quality of a classroom is determined by the teacher, so to is the quality of your student teaching experience. Remember, there
is no perfect placement, but if you do your homework in advance it is likely you will end up with a good match.
Most important, take time and make efforts to complete a one-day-week placement if possible at a school of choice before going for
the full-time practicum. By doing this you may get a sense of what will work best for you based on your abilities and skills.
2) What can you do if you feel you don't have a good match?
Oh, no! You're in a classroom that may not be a good match. First, work with your teacher to help him or her in whatever way you can;
but be sure to let your practicum coordinator know a.s.a.p. that you may have some troubles in the coming year. Identify the problems clearly,
ask the coordinating teacher if you could have some time to do one or two special projects with the students. Often teachers who recognize a
student teacher has a different style from theirs will make efforts to give you a bit of time and space for your project, provided it doesn't
interfere with the curriculum. Also, get to know the other teachers in your grade level during lunch. Try to find a bit of time to talk and
learn from them as well. Remember, they have many pressures and are often quite busy, so work to balance your need with theirs. Keep in mind
that the months ahead of you are a learning experience. While some student teachers are offered positions in the district in which they do their
practicum, most often a job in the school or grade in which you do your student teaching is rare.
3) Interview Skills
Brush up on your interview skills. There are a number of good books you can review for help. Here are a few you may want to look into:
Teachers, Schools and Society
by Myra P. Sadker
www.amazon.com
The Interview Rehearsal Book : 7 Steps to Job-Winning Interviews Using Acting Skills You Never Knew You Had
by Deb Gottesman, Buzz Mauro
www.amazon.com
