Thinking of Placement

As I round the corner and see the end in sight, I wanted to share some advice I have learned along the way.

A few of my peers have come to visit my placement and we talk about their observations and the comparisons they make between their placement and mine. There has been one theme that reoccurs in our conversation: the collaborative community among teachers.

One of the first things I noticed was the pleasant atmosphere of the staff. Of course, you have your moments and those few folks who are the exception but for the most part, the teachers at my placement are support of each other. It makes a tremendous difference, and I presume an even bigger difference as a first year teacher.

Thus, I think it is very important, if possible, to be aware of the working culture. I have heard stories from my peers who describe their schools as private classrooms with little to no communication among teachers. And as I have quickly learned on this journey, it is critical to have supportive peers/teachers that could help you struggle with the manifold of situations that arise in an urban classroom.

Along those same lines, if you ever feel uncomfortable in your student teaching placement do not hesitate to change. The program is only 10 months and everyone needs to make the most of it!