Advice from Former Student Teachers

• Research a classroom management style that works for you. Review the classroom rule system set up by your resident teacher before you take over the class.

• Manage your time so new things aren't so stressful.

• Take care of yourself physically, emotionally, and spiritually. If you're not together yourself, you won't be good for others.

• Spend as much time as possible observing different subjects and levels at different schools.

• Take initiative. Be sure you're learning what you need to know.

• Get, keep, and maintain a sense of humor.

• Be responsive to constructive criticism. Don't dwell on the bad, but be flexible and try to improve.

• Establish a comfortable, communicative environment with your supervisor and resident teacher.

• Understand and use the resources available: the Career Center, AIR Center, campus buddy system (mutual protection), Humboldt Education Resource Center (HERC, County Office of Education, Eureka), and the Financial Aid Office.

• Maintain your self-esteem with all your roles ­ student at HSU and both student and teacher at the local school site.

• Look forward to the rewards of teaching such as when students learn, when you're respected as a teacher, and when you reach inward for personal rewards.

• Be flexible in your expectations. Don't get impatient with yourself or students.

• Be confident, but realize this is a learning experience.

• Accentuate the positive things in students and don't just focus on the negative.

• Make copies for your own files of all the materials you develop and use.

Note: This is the last page of the Teacher Preparation Single Subjects Handbook

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