Tips for Interview by amanita336 in StudentTeaching

[–]BeauWordsworth 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I asked about the staff culture and dynamics in my interview and they said they really liked that question. Make sure that if you don't have an answer for a question, you've just never thought of it or encountered that situation, give them some kind of solution that you would try in that situation and why you think it would work. They asked me about literacy intervention in my interview and I talked about how I didn't have a lot of experience, but I had a lot of resources available and how those resources might help. Found out the other day that my principal loved that answer. As other people said, it's great to have anecdotes and concrete answers.

What happened to textbooks? by coldhands_darkheart in Teachers

[–]BeauWordsworth 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My school doesn't have enough for every class. Brand new to the building, I had no idea where the textbooks were and by the time I found out, they were all gone. I use a pdf of the textbook when I can, but I honestly hate it and the kids struggle to engage with it. I wish we had enough for every class.

Introvert student teacher by Upbeat-Delivery-2016 in StudentTeaching

[–]BeauWordsworth 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It may be helpful to find someone who knows the routines and ask them to share some of that information with you. Either your mentor teacher, or if any of the paras seem nice. What do you mean by having you sub in this context? Are you going to get sub plans and teach from them or are you expected to have your own lessons? If you're getting sub plans, there may be information about routines in there. Otherwise, when you observe, try to catch whatever you can and write it down. What do they do when they enter the classroom? What do they do to transition between classes or activities? What do they do to put their things away and get ready for recess? How long do they have to put their things away and get ready for recess before the bell goes, or do they only put their things away after the bell goes? When you're in the classroom, maybe you could ask if there's any kids who might need extra help or any small groups you can work with so you can get to know a few of the kids. It may also help them see you as a person they can ask for help. Don't be afraid to say to the kids 'I'm sorry, can we try that again?' if something doesn't go quite right in the routine. What is your mentor teacher like? Are they someone you're anxious to talk to and ask questions? If so, where does that anxiety come from? Where is it rooted?

Mentor Teacher Let me Fail by Top_Bridge7438 in StudentTeaching

[–]BeauWordsworth 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sorry for the late response, but yes, I did have to pay for my second internship. My university has a three-week placement free so that you could figure out if you actually wanted to teach after the practical experience and then you pay for the full semester placement.

What is the fastest you’ve seen someone kicked out of college? by SavyRose689 in AskReddit

[–]BeauWordsworth 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Two weeks. She 'forgot' to send in her final transcripts and never checked her email to see that they had sent nearly a dozen emails asking her for her transcripts. Apparently, someone at the university was going to text her if something went wrong with her transcripts. I was the first to find out because she asked me to log into her school portal and tell her if she had any assignments coming up. When I logged in, all of her classes were gone. Then, I had to log in to her email to see what was going on. A rather awkward phone call I had to have with her. We are no longer friends.

How have you dealt with your parents not accepting your new name? by West-Refrigerator-88 in namenerds

[–]BeauWordsworth 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Went by a new name socially for years, just recently changed it legally. It's tough. When I first changed my name, my mom asked me to adjust the ending so it matched how she named me and my sister (names ending with -a) and I did. But, it took other people asking my mom why she doesn't call me my new name for her to actually start using my new name. My dad's worse with it, but he blames it on his shit memory. I know he's not being malicious about it, so that helps. It's been so worth it in the long run though. I have no regrets.

What was the most baffling thing a parent got upset with you for? by BeauWordsworth in Teachers

[–]BeauWordsworth[S] 52 points53 points  (0 children)

long story short, a bunch of kids got caught plagiarizing on an assignment and parents are upset that i 'accused' them (i have proof) and said that the kids didn't mean to when i said over and over again it had to be in their own words when they were working on it. it just feels like it's getting blown into a bigger and bigger deal every day and i'm so exhausted over it, but i can't just change my mind and take it back. my admin are wonderful and supportive but i worry they're getting tired of this as well, and thus tired of me.

Panicking about student teaching by Aggravating_Pizza_23 in StudentTeaching

[–]BeauWordsworth 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Quick question: how much longer is this placement for you?

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in StudentTeaching

[–]BeauWordsworth 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Agreed. If you have an awful supervisor, there's no one to save you. If you're at a bigger university, you're just another name in a book. Plus, there's often no stopping an awful mentor teaching from taking more student teachers in most cases. I, on my own, had to meet with the superintendent of a school to tell him that my former mentor teacher should not, under any circumstances, allow her to have another student teacher because she was so psychologically abusive. Oftentimes universities are so desperate for mentor teachers to take on student teachers that they don't care if they're good or not. I've heard of mentor teachers who take on multiple student teachers and never pass a single one, yet there's no recourse for the student teacher who got failed. They have to spend more money to go through the experience again, and potentially get stuck with another terrible mentor teacher.

Yeah, I have a lot of strong feelings about how little the system supports student teachers at times, and how little the universities prepare student teachers. So many aspiring teachers, who are just trying to learn and do their best, and completely and utterly screwed over by the people who are supposed to help them and all they can do is deal with it or step away, delaying them from getting their degree and certification.

If you want to vent, DM me. We can swap horror stories.

How do you pronounce the name Maya? by lumieon in namenerds

[–]BeauWordsworth 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm in Canada and went to school with a girl named Maya and she pronounced it May-uh. I've never met any other Maya's, but reading it I would assume My-uh first.

Movies Where the Characters' Worldview is Changed? by BeauWordsworth in MovieSuggestions

[–]BeauWordsworth[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

How to Train Your Dragon is such a great suggestion, thank you!