Today’s post is a question I received via email this week from a student teacher feeling “ill-prepared” for her first teaching job this fall:
Hey, Laura!
I am a 23-year-old student teacher wrapping up my ST semester. Much to my dismay, I have not had the best experience due to my cooperating teacher being very gossipy, harshly critical, and a micromanager. I have managed to finish strong, but I feel a bit of imposter syndrome since my CT has not given me any control or left the classroom much at all during the semester. I feel ill-prepared to take on a classroom of my own in the fall. Do you have any advice for how to go into my first year of teaching with confidence despite the disadvantages I have dealt with?
– Jackie*
*Not her real name. Email used with permission.
My answer (cozy up because I had a LOT to say about this one):
Resources mentioned in the video
• Neil Gaiman’s “Make Good Art” speech:
https://youtu.be/plWexCID-kA
• Free 20Time project-based learning materials:
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/FREE-Project-Based-Learning-Materials-for-the-English-Classroom-20Time-Project-1918986
• Free calendars for English 9-10:
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Full-Year-Calendar-for-High-School-English-9-10-180-Days-of-CCSS-Calendar-FREE-3735711
• Free calendar for English 11/American Literature:
https://laurarandazzo.com/2016/07/23/grade-11-calendars-have-arrived/
• Quarter Trios (classroom community builder + sponge games) explainer video:
https://youtu.be/Xj-EvXAFIh4
• My shop on TeachersPayTeachers.com:
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Laura-Randazzo
Connect with me!
• Comment on the video.
• Like the video and subscribe to my YouTube channel. Tedious, I know, but this really does help other folks find me and gives me a little jolt of happiness.
• Grab a free download or buy something: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Laura-Randazzo
• On Instagram: @randazzo_laura
• On Facebook: @randazzled
• On TikTok: @randazzled
Okay, blog family, what have I forgotten? What’s your advice to Jackie and all of the other soon-to-be first-year teachers feeling that same lack of confidence? Let’s fill up those teachers’ toolboxes!