College students who are completing field work in real classroom need to be professional. This article offers tips on how to be successful during field placement assignments before and during student teacher and/or the teaching internship.
Tips for Education Majors Heading to the Classroom
College students must complete a certain amount of hours observing and teaching a few lessons before the all-important student teaching experience. This time in the classroom should not be hours to be logged. It should be a time to learn about the teaching profession and a chance to help students.
Act Professional During the Classroom Observation Time
Most college students are professional and respectful; however, every year it is shocking how some of the potential educators behave.
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Do not treat the classroom observation or field placement as a time to be lazy or as a “blow off” class. Observe teaching practices and learn about the students.
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Do not fall asleep. Act interested and try to gain from the experience. Students notice everything about a college student in the classroom.
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Do not come hung-over or smelling of alcohol to the classroom. This should go without saying; however, a few college students do come to the classroom in this condition.
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Dress Appropriately
Read the school dress code before arriving. Do not try to blend in with the student population; try to stand out as a future educator.
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Some schools do not allow students to have nose, tongue or facial piercings. If the students are not allowed to have these then a college student should not have them either.
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Clothing should be clean, neat and pressed.
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Skirts should be knee length and pants should not be extremely tight.
Show Respect to the Cooperating teacher
Classroom teachers do not receive a large amount of money to fill out the forms or to assess a college student’s time in the school classroom. They accept college students out of the goodness of their hearts.
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Email or call the teacher when one is sick, going to be late, or cannot come at the designated time.
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Always ask if anything needs done. Offer to grade papers or to put up a bulletin board.
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Send a card of thanks when the observation is complete.
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Every quarter I welcome two to five college students into my classroom. I feel that this is my way to give back to profession. These are just a few tips to help make a field placement expereince successful. The key is to always act professional!
