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How does student teaching work? Are you randomly placed at a school or do you get to choose which school? #Spring25
How does student teaching work? Are you randomly placed at a school or do you get to choose which school? #Spring25
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Melody’s Answer
Hi, Makayla! Student teaching can vary based on your program. In many traditional schools, they assign you a school so they know where you'll be. As more teachers are needed and new programs pop up, sometimes you might get to choose your school. If you're already working at a school, you might even do your student teaching there.
You'll spend most of your time observing teachers, and one teacher will be your mentor. You'll watch and talk with this teacher a lot. Eventually, you'll get to teach the class yourself, with your mentor helping you plan lessons and giving advice. This is your chance to try teaching and see how classroom management works in different settings. It's all about gaining real experience.
I recommend visiting other schools and classrooms when you can. Ask if you can take a day off from your class to fully work with another teacher, even if it's in your own school. It helps give you more insight.
You'll spend most of your time observing teachers, and one teacher will be your mentor. You'll watch and talk with this teacher a lot. Eventually, you'll get to teach the class yourself, with your mentor helping you plan lessons and giving advice. This is your chance to try teaching and see how classroom management works in different settings. It's all about gaining real experience.
I recommend visiting other schools and classrooms when you can. Ask if you can take a day off from your class to fully work with another teacher, even if it's in your own school. It helps give you more insight.
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Wesly’s Answer
Student teaching is usually arranged by your teacher training program in partnership with local schools. While you may not get to choose the exact school, you can often express preferences for grade level or location. In my case, I was placed in a diverse, inclusive school that aligned with my values, and the experience deeply shaped my teaching style and strengthened my classroom skills.