Student Teacher Pitfalls
Let me start by saying, “Congratulations”. You have worked so hard to get to this point in the teacher certification process. Student teaching is a special time in a future teacher’s life. Enjoy every minute of it as you are preparing yourself for the rewarding career of a teacher. Try to keep in mind all of the hard work and many hours that you have put into your courses of study while you are student teaching. Don’t throw all of that hard work and effort away on reckless decision making.
What do I mean by reckless decision making? I am talking about the many pitfalls that a student teacher faces every day while performing their duties at a school. Listed are some of the pitfalls and the best advice that I can give to you to help you stay clear of becoming a negative statistic and headline news story.
Before you read any more on this page, it would be wise to click the button and read the AL Code Educator Ethics.
The Alabama Code of Educator Ethics is a must read. Not only read, but it must be adhered to every day that you are an Alabama teacher .
- Teacher/Student relationship: Simply put, DO NOT have one. You are not there to be the students friend. You are trying to complete the requirements set forth by the state of Alabama to become a teacher. Simple as that.
- Social Media: Do not have students as “friends” on any of your social media pages. Doing so can lead to many negative actions. You may have the best of intentions, but remember, the student may not. Young people have a totally different outlook and understanding of life than an adult has.
- Faculty members, including student teachers, who friend, follow or even text students is putting their career and reputation in a very risky position. Believe it or not, many school system administrators visit your social media pages to see what kind of character you have. And if they don’t, be sure that parents will and will bring anything of “interest” to the administration’s attention.
- Follow the school’s policy on cell phone use while in the building.
- Every school should have a policy concerning social media use, taking photos of students and communicating with students outside the realm of the classroom. Be sure to read it and follow it.
- Even if the faculty dresses in a casual manner, make every effort to dress professionally every day. The eyes of the principal are on you as well as the parents who happen to be in the building. Professional attire says a lot about you and you desire to be a successful teacher.