The Ten Commandments of Student Teaching

I am in the process of creating a syllabus for student teaching. Here is the draft version of The Ten Commandments of Student Teaching. 

What do you think?

1. THOU SHALT DEMONSTRATE YOUR DEDICATION

Be present and on time to your placement every day. Go in early, stay late, attend after-hours school functions. Make a good impression. Leave your house in the morning 10 minutes earlier than you think you should. 

2. THOU SHALT LOOK AND ACT LIKE A PROFESSIONAL

Dress professionally and modestly. Think before you speak. Maintain open communication with your supervisor and your cooperating teacher. Respect your students.

3. THOU SHALT CREATE MEANINGFUL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

Always be prepared to answer the following questions about any of your lesson plans: Where did you get lesson idea? What have you observed in these students that leads you to believe they need this lesson? What is the purpose? How do you think students will be able to apply knowledge gained here?

4. THOU SHALT BE A GRACIOUS GUEST

Remember that you are a guest in your cooperating teachers’ classroom. Ask permission to make adjustments/rearrangements if needed. Clean up after yourself. Leave things better than you found them.

5. THOU SHALT DOCUMENT YOUR EXPERIENCE

You have a portfolio to put together that should included examples of lessons and of your teaching. No one will do this for you; take advantage of the opportunity to construct this as you go.

6. THOU SHALT NOT EXHAUST YOUR COOPERATING TEACHER

Cooperating teachers are in place as a professional coach and not your parent, best friend, or lover. Treat your cooperating teacher like a mentor for whom you have the utmost respect. Also, see commandment #4.

7. THOU SHALT NOT EXHAUST YOUR UNIVERSITY SUPERVISOR

You are responsible for getting and maintaining your own certification. This responsibility includes sending your weekly teaching schedule to your supervisor, completing the PDE 430 Attachment for each placement, and working with your supervisor to schedule one initial visit and three formal observations in each placement. Communicate clearly, promptly, and often.

8. THOU SHALT NOT MAKE TOO MANY OUTSIDE COMMITMENTS

Your social life and job are secondary to your student teaching responsibilities.

9. THOU SHALT FOLLOW THE RECOMMENDATIONS AND REGULATIONS IN THE MILLERSVILLE UNIVERSITY STUDENT TEACHING HANDBOOK

Read it; you are held to these standards even if you are not aware they exist. Don’t sacrifice your certification because of your own ignorance.

10. THOU SHALT NOT FORESAKE LEARNING FOR TEACHING

Good teaching is learning alongside your students. Create opportunities for students to learn and have a reflective, humble spirit so that you don’t miss the lessons that your students will teach you.

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