6 answers
Campbell
Student
Four Oaks, North Carolina
1
Question
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What is the most important thing to look for/do in student teaching?
I am a college student going into my junior year and transferring from a community college to a 4 year university.
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6 answers
Mark Hamilton
Consultant
6
Answers
Camp Hill, Pennsylvania
Updated
Mark’s Answer
Take in everything around you. Learn from your cooperating teacher and reach out to other teachers for more insights. Be engaged and willing to try new approaches. Good habits in lesson planning, classroom management, and communication begin now!
Maya Parry
Special Educator
4
Answers
Greenbelt, Maryland
Updated
Maya’s Answer
Hi!
I finished my student teaching last year and have taught special education this year! Go into the classroom with an open mind and try to see as many teaching styles as possible. You will not teach exactly like the teacher who's classroom you're student teaching in and that's a good thing! Your teaching style should feel authentic to you! The more classrooms you are able to see, the more you will find your voice as a teacher. Believe in yourself, take every opportunity you can, watch videos of others teaching and film yourself teaching, and enjoy the process.
Good luck!
I finished my student teaching last year and have taught special education this year! Go into the classroom with an open mind and try to see as many teaching styles as possible. You will not teach exactly like the teacher who's classroom you're student teaching in and that's a good thing! Your teaching style should feel authentic to you! The more classrooms you are able to see, the more you will find your voice as a teacher. Believe in yourself, take every opportunity you can, watch videos of others teaching and film yourself teaching, and enjoy the process.
Good luck!
Kendra Unger
Learning & Development
6
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Kendra’s Answer
Hi Campbell,
I was a teacher for 11 years and it was a transformative experience! Good luck with your transfer and wishing you all the best for student teaching. Here is what I wish I knew going into student teaching:
- Go in without preconceived ideas or assumptions. I was so focused on trying to apply what I was learning in my education courses that I wasn't focused on observing what was going on in the classroom and what was working for them (even if it didn't always match what I was learning in the classroom).
- Be kind to yourself! You are just learning, you're not going to be a perfect teacher right away.
- Focus on learning from your experience. Ask yourself what went well each day and what could have gone better. Then take tiny steps the next day to apply what you are learning.
- Have fun! Enjoy the kids!
I was a teacher for 11 years and it was a transformative experience! Good luck with your transfer and wishing you all the best for student teaching. Here is what I wish I knew going into student teaching:
- Go in without preconceived ideas or assumptions. I was so focused on trying to apply what I was learning in my education courses that I wasn't focused on observing what was going on in the classroom and what was working for them (even if it didn't always match what I was learning in the classroom).
- Be kind to yourself! You are just learning, you're not going to be a perfect teacher right away.
- Focus on learning from your experience. Ask yourself what went well each day and what could have gone better. Then take tiny steps the next day to apply what you are learning.
- Have fun! Enjoy the kids!
Great rersponse! See how the teacher answers common problems.
Katie Schwartz, CCC-SLP
Jessica Lanham
Training/Instructional Design
13
Answers
Tampa, Florida
Updated
Jessica’s Answer
Student teaching is a crucial part of becoming a teacher, and success starts with being open to feedback and willing to grow. Your mentor teacher and supervisor will offer guidance—listen carefully, ask questions, and apply what you learn. Planning ahead is important, but flexibility is key since lessons don’t always go as expected. Building strong relationships with students and staff creates a supportive environment and helps you feel more confident. Take time to observe your mentor’s teaching style and reflect on what works for you. Staying organized with lesson plans, reflections, and deadlines will keep you on track, and don’t hesitate to ask for help when you need it. Most importantly, celebrate small wins—whether it’s a successful lesson or a breakthrough moment with a student—because those are the moments that remind you why you chose this path.
Whitney Allen
Billing Specialist
2
Answers
Moore, Oklahoma
Updated
Whitney’s Answer
Hi Campbell! I taught elementary school for 13 years, working with 3rd and 2nd grades, STEM, and students from various backgrounds. The key to student teaching is to remember that you are always learning too. While your classes teach you a lot, the most valuable lessons come from real classroom experiences. There are many teaching styles, so try to watch different teachers and visit various classrooms and schools. It's also crucial to get to know your students before they can learn well. Building relationships with them is very important, and I think this isn't emphasized enough in college!
Matthew O'Brien
IT Consultant
3
Answers
Centereach, New York
Updated
Matthew’s Answer
The fact that you are asking this at all is great step. I taught for 6 years before changing careers and two things I took from my time student teaching still benefit me today regardless of my title or job market.
Learning how to meet the students where they are was the most critical. It is one thing to know your field, it is an entirely different skill set to quickly assess the listener's knowledge and explain concepts in a way that will stick. Pay attention to your students' faces, they will tell you if they are getting it or not.
The second is finding your style of teaching. Student teaching may be your last opportunity to study how different teachers approach the same topics. Take note of what you like/don't like and what is effective/ineffective. Keep the good, throw the rest out and put your own spin on it.
Learning how to meet the students where they are was the most critical. It is one thing to know your field, it is an entirely different skill set to quickly assess the listener's knowledge and explain concepts in a way that will stick. Pay attention to your students' faces, they will tell you if they are getting it or not.
The second is finding your style of teaching. Student teaching may be your last opportunity to study how different teachers approach the same topics. Take note of what you like/don't like and what is effective/ineffective. Keep the good, throw the rest out and put your own spin on it.