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Help! Student Teaching Trouble

Dear Julia-

I am student teaching now. In college we learned many ways of designing lessons. The problem is the school I am student teaching at is very rigid in their lessons and utilize just a few books. These books come complete with LOTS of worksheets. Creativity is very limited as it is required that these text books are followed to the letter. Any suggestions? I want all the students to be engaged when I do begin doing lessons and I want to score well on my student teaching, but I am afraid that my university supervisor will be disappointed when she sees me only offering worksheets.

-MDC

Hi MDC,

Your situation is one faced by many student teachers. It is not always easy to reconcile the demands of education courses with the reality of the schools where student teachers are assigned to work. If you think about it, a conflict is probably inevitable. Colleges are often on the cutting edge of research and schools lag behind them because of the cumbersome process of implementation.

With that being said, I think you need to be open with your college supervisor. Share your concern and ask for advice. That supervisor will probably already have some idea of the issue that you describe and will be able to share ways for you to deal with it. I believe that as long as you are honest and open in your approach, you will have a good chance of at least making your awareness of the situation known.

In addition, I also think that you should tactfully discuss the issue with the school district personnel you are assigned to work with. While no one would appreciate you telling them what you believe they are doing wrong, most teachers are always on the lookout for new ideas and that may be the case for the teachers in your district. I would also advise you to be open-minded and respectful about the approach or philosophy that the school district has in place. Almost every approach in education has something good to offer if you look hard enough.

Keep in mind, too, that worksheets by themselves are not the problem. Skillfully presented and designed, a worksheet can encourage students to think critically and creatively. Look at the worksheets with an open-mind. What do they offer that is engaging? Appealing to multiple intelligences? Encouraging of deeper thinking? How can you capitalize on this?

You can still offer opportunities for creative lessons in addition to the ones that this school district already has slated for students. Start small with very brief lessons until you gain control and confidence. Maybe a quick mini-lesson at the end or start of class or as a review of the information learned through a worksheet or as an activity that activates prior knowledge.

You are not alone as a student teacher. I am sure that many Apple members have had a similar experience. Readers, please feel free to jump in and offer MDC some advice. Was your student teaching experience similar to hers? What do you think she should do?

Good luck with your student teaching, MDC!

Julia

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