Things to Do to Get Off to a Great Start!
D. Brasher, Student Teacher Coordinator
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THINGS TO REMEMBER
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First impressions are lasting. Dress professionally. Behave professionally.
Be on time every day, and be prepared for the day.
Follow the code of ethics.
Avoid gossip or negative conversation.
Remember about confidentiality with regard to students and school business.
Turn off your cell phone during school hours and meetings, or set it to silent mode.
If you must be absent, call your Cooperating Teacher and your University Supervisor before 7:00
AM.
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THINGS TO DO BEFORE THE FIRST DAY
1. Call your cooperating teacher this week (for sure before the first day)! Introduce yourself and tell
him/her that you are excited about being in their classroom. Ask what time you are supposed to
be there in the mornings, dress code, etc.
2. Take a practice drive to your new school, to be sure you know where it is, and how long it takes
to get there.
3. Tell your cooperating teacher that your supervisor will be visiting (just a pop-in) sometime during
the first week.
4. Be positive and enthusiastic on the phone – Remember, first impressions are lasting ones.
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THINGS TO DO ON THE FIRST DAY
1. Introduce yourself to the cooperating teacher, staff, faculty, etc.
2. Get your cooperating teacher’s home phone number, e-mail address, and the school phone
number.
3. Get a copy of the daily class schedule. Make a copy for your supervisor and give it to him/her
according to instructions.
4. Make a seating chart. (If changes are made later, please give me an updated copy.) This will
really help you to remember student names.
5. Observe the rules and how they are enforced.
6. Observe daily routines: attendance, assignments, organization of classroom materials.
7. Observe instructional strategies: What methods does the teacher use? Does the format vary with
respect to learning style or student grouping/seating?
8. Keep a list of questions that you want to ask.
9. Find out when your cooperating teacher has duty. You are expected to participate in this.
10. Find out when grade-level team meetings are scheduled. You are expected to participate in them.
11. Find out when faculty meetings are held. You are expected to attend them.
12. Learn the emergency procedures (for example, fire escape routes and procedures, tornado alert
procedures, injured/ill children, etc.)
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THINGS TO DO ON THE SECOND DAY
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Start learning student’s names.
Engage yourself in the lesson. Listen to the presentation and be prepared to offer help.
Your facial expressions will show how you feel about the lesson. Be careful.
Define your role as a teacher. You are not a student, a helper, or a buddy; You are a
professional.
5. Get up. Move around the room and answer questions. Do not wait for the cooperating teacher to
ask you. Help students. Be a contributing member of the class.
6. Take notes as your teacher gives instruction. What discipline techniques does he/she use? What
does he/she expect from students? How does he/she monitor the room? What instruction
techniques is he/she using?
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CLASSROOM DISCIPLINE
When you begin teaching lessons, you might be completely focused on lesson content. Teaching and
managing behavior at the same time will get easier with practice. Here are a few hints:
1. Move about the classroom when you are teaching.
2. If you are using an overhead projector, smart board, tablet, etc., do not stay parked beside it.
Walk around, all the way to the back of the classroom, to each student seating area.
3. Scan the classroom visually. Make eye contact with every student. Stand near problems.
(Remember proximity control.)
4. Be alert to the first signs of a problem. Talk them over with the cooperating teacher before they
become a real problem.
5. Be proactive!
6. Show the same respect to students as you expect them to show to you. Remember to praise
them in public and correct them in private. Allow students to maintain their dignity in front of
peers.
7. Be watchful for signs of bullying, name-calling, or other hurtful actions. Stop everything, talk about
it. Use it as a teachable moment regarding how we treat each other.
8. Avoid a power struggle with students. They always win, directly or indirectly.
9. You can make rules, but you cannot make students follow the rules. Instead, make following the
rules more appealing than not following them.
10. Talk to your cooperating teacher about how he/she would handle a fight between students.
11. If students use inappropriate language, don’t over-react. Respond calmly. Follow the procedures
set up in the classroom.
12. Honor the discipline system set up by the cooperating teacher. You might want to do things
differently, but remember: This is HIS/HER classroom, not yours. Take notes on things you would
do differently and save them for future reference. You can also include these thoughts in your
weekly reflections.
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PROMOTE A POSITIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT
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Provide a safe and secure learning environment for ALL students.
Remember, what you expect, you will probably get.
Be sure to make positive contact with every student, every day.
Remember that parents are sending you the best student they have.
Ask the cooperating teacher to make notes as you teach and then reflect with you daily one area
that is great and one area that needs to improve. Talk to you teacher about ideas for improving
that skill. Google it at night to learn more. Practice on your friends and family.
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TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF
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Stay healthy: Exercise, eat well, wash your hands often, drink plenty of water.
Laugh often.
Do something to manage stress. (Try yoga!)
Call me if you get discouraged or experience difficulties. I’m a good listener!
Use your Capstone class as a support group. Share your feelings, but remember confidentiality.
Keep a positive focus. Stay out of the teacher’s lounge if negative conversation is going on or
negative feelings are present.
7. Keep your life in balance: Work….Play…. Enjoy relationships…Have Fun!