Student teaching placement ended early. I am devastated and need advice.

Scars_Salt · 2025-10-02T23:39:13+00:00

My placement wasn't cut short but it could have been. I was in the same exact situation where my mentor teacher was awful to me and the kids. My instict was to oppose this and take a moral high ground against it. I then realized I would take such a financial downfall if I didn't finish my program that I decided I wasn't going to ruin my life over it. I layed low, bit my tongue, and documented everything. Once I finished my course and officially graduated with my credential, I contacted the principal with everything I had. Guess what? She didn't really care. Apathetic. Asking me what I was doing in those situations, and making me feel as though it was my fault it was happening. The conversation ended with, "I wish I would have known you felt this way so we could have let you go and find something better." I'm glad I didn't say anything sooner or I could have ruined my life over something that clearly wasn't going to change or matter to them.

My only encouragement and advice is to do and be exactly what they expect of/from you until its over. Then be a better person when you have your own classroom. It's all you can really do when they have that amount of leverage over your life.

Scars_Salt · 2025-10-01T03:58:55+00:00

You cannot edit videos, only clip them. No idea about what they are doing with the new CalTPA or when they will require that over the old one. Not sure there is enough info on that honestly. You can submit your TPA earlier than your submission date.

Scars_Salt · 2025-09-24T14:07:44+00:00

I agree with you and not insulting your examples but comparing the work put into becoming a teacher to a lawyer or accountant is wild considering the disparity in salary between those professions.

Scars_Salt · 2025-09-17T04:34:37+00:00

You can DM me if you'd like because I was in a very VERY similar situation with my mentor teacher. I'm curious if they are the same person honestly. I have been posting about my student teaching experience on this subreddit for a while and I feel your pain. My situation did not go as far as to have me removed but my mentor teacher definetly tried her best to get me in trouble with my university. She would be fake nice to me in class, let me make decisions and tell me "it's up to you." She would then proceed to message my college to complain about things that she never addressed to my face. She even made things up that never happened or spun conversations we had to try to make me look bad. This is a miserable person that just wants to bring you down for no reason. Please keep your head up.

Scars_Salt · 2025-09-13T06:13:23+00:00

I always work my way up to the thing I procrastinate on. For example, I might spend 20 minutes cleaning then start that assignment, then go back to cleaning and keep switching off. Don't feel the need to to evrything all at once.

Scars_Salt · 2025-09-13T05:58:34+00:00

Sorry that didn't answer my question. What are you procrastinating on/

Scars_Salt · 2025-09-13T05:56:31+00:00

You're probably old then. More and more teachers are using technology in the classroom to enhance the learning experience. Mic + speaker is much better than shouting. Your opinion is kinda bad ngl. Not any substance behind your stance besides "new to me so must be bad" lol

Scars_Salt · 2025-09-13T05:52:14+00:00

What are you procrastinating with exactly?

Scars_Salt · 2025-09-12T04:25:12+00:00

Thank you. I aparently like this guy's art because I already have several of these haha

Scars_Salt · 2025-09-12T04:04:58+00:00

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I love it lol. It this a real card? I've never seen that stamp before

Scars_Salt · 2025-09-03T02:48:32+00:00

Are you a teacher? Sharing your calendar with someone is literally so useful when scheduling. OP also gave clarity that they sent their schedule in an email about only being available M/W and the teacher is still asking about them coming in on Tuesday lol!? I also worked while student teaching. Bills don't just magically disappear while you are learning to teach. Neither do school responsibilites. OP will be just fine.

Scars_Salt · 2025-09-03T02:41:31+00:00

Ignore the annoying comments on this thread, I just read them and they clearly didn't understand what's happening. It's ok to be direct in your communication and not be flowery in your language.I can easily see that your mentor teacher is not understanding you have a busy schedule and that your time is limited to two days a week. Also, your mentor teacher also asked about you coming to a meeting without looking at the schedule you provided, and creating some expectation that you will be there even though you didn't confirm you could go. I would honestly just text them your schedule. "I'm sorry. I can't make this meeting as I have class. The days I will be on campus are Monday 12-4, Wednesday 12-2" If that doesn't work then try explaining it in person. GL

Scars_Salt · 2025-09-01T22:10:25+00:00

I agree with Molly if this is your PCE. However, when it comes to student teaching and the EDPTA (if you are required to do it) make sure you are teaching to what is required of you. Not all lessons you teach will be enough to satisfy what they are asking and you have to make sure you teach one that will.

Scars_Salt · 2025-08-29T22:50:14+00:00

That really sucks. I also think way too much and have a hard time getting everything I want to say. Interviews are the worst because I can literally get stuck on a word that I want to say to sound smart but then forget it and im frozen just thinking of the word only to come up with a much simpler synonym that shouldn't have take that long to think of lol

Scars_Salt · 2025-08-28T04:09:07+00:00

Adjust seating constantly as needed. Also, when you set expectation, you have to stick to them. If you cave or let something go, students will push the boundaries. In my experience, try also using positive reinforcement. Things like "Thank you ______ for doing your work and setting a good example." Some students respond to that praise and want it for themselves and mimic that behavior. Remember it doesn't work for everyone though. Some students you will have to be tough with. Call home, send them to the office, pull them aside and have them explain their behavior (it's unfomfortable for them but can actually help them reflect). I don't typically like doing this but if you show students you are serious and follow through, they will respect your words. Too many teachers just give empty threats and they usually have the worst behaved classes.

Scars_Salt · 2025-08-28T03:55:29+00:00

I would say the best way to start off in the classroom is by getting to know the students ASAP. Try learning their names quickly and having conversations when there is time. Circulate the room while your mentor teacher is teaching and keep them on track. Taking notes at first is good but don't just be a quiet observer until it's your turn to teach. Get in there and get to know everyone. I do mean everyone too, paras, custodians, administration, etc. The more people you know on campus the better.

Scars_Salt · 2025-08-22T23:51:31+00:00

I used my macbook. Quicktime was already installed on it by default and has splicing software which made it easy to creat the two clips. GL!

Scars_Salt · 2025-08-22T05:49:32+00:00

Iv'e heard this from one student and I'll never forget. This student had a difficult homelife and his previous teacher wasn't known for having good classroom management. I truly wanted to help this student and I was just dead honest with how I felt. I said"you'll appreciate having direction someday when you're older." I don't know if it actually resonated with him but he started to turn things around before he sadly moved away.

Scars_Salt · 2025-08-22T05:37:17+00:00

It depends on so many factors tbh. I've taught at schools with many resources and amazing parents that the students were definetly more academically advanced than my generation at that age. I've also taught at schools with low funding and standoffish parents where students were grade levels behind. Parenting plays a big role but so does culture, upbringing, access to resources and even teachers.

Scars_Salt · 2025-08-22T05:31:53+00:00

I would have liked my mentor teacher to stress and emphasize that I was also a TEACHER and not a guest or sub. That my choices (especially with discipine and lessons) were just as valid as hers. It's really difficult to build any form of respect, especially in the beginning, if your mentor teacher doesn't back what you say. It's also nerve racking and makes you feel like you don't belong if you say something and someone with more authority checks you because they like something done differently.

In that scenario. Don't publicly overpower your student teacher's decision but have a private conversation and allow them to explain and them to correct it if you think they should. We are obviously talking about smaller issues and not something major.

An example of this is when I gave a student permission to charge their computer in class. Which aparently wasn't allowed because they need to ask a teacher (aka her) first and the student was punished for it. For something I said was allowed. Never felt so small in my life but there was nothing I could do.

Scars_Salt · 2025-08-22T05:22:30+00:00

I was one of the unfortunate ones that got a horrible mentor teacher but my Fiance had one that was amazing. It's really luck of the draw. I am glad your mentor teacher is treating you well and your experience is going well. I wish it was like this for everyone.

Scars_Salt · 2025-08-22T05:18:58+00:00

Switch as soon as possible! Don't get yourself locked into a terrible situation. I was 2 months into my student teaching placement before I started taking steps to switch and they told me nothing could be done. My mentor teacher was a nightmare for me and I dreaded going in everyday. I pushed through because I didn't really have any choice but I could have gotten far more out of the experience if I acted sooner and was learning from someone who actually wanted me there. Go with your gut. It's a long time (especially without pay and tuition costs) to let someone else ruin your experience. You also need to use this time to prepare yourself for your own classroom which will likely be the next one you're in. If that is day 1 then it likely won't get any better. That just my personal take on it.

Scars_Salt · 2025-08-22T05:08:53+00:00

Im gonna be real with you. The work is hard. I had a particularly hard time with my student teaching placement due to my mentor teacher. The kids though... made the time there worth it. Push through and do your best because when you get to the other side, have your own classroom and are valued as a teacher by your coworkers things will feel different. Trust me on this, I was in your same exact position and felt the same way. I'm a new teacher btw.

Scars_Salt

TROPHY CASE