Student teacher - left the classroom today in tears

[KarenB]

Milk and cookies work well! I have surprised my students with a 15 minute milk and cookie break after a day of good behavior! They loved it and never knew it was coming.

 

[donaldbuzz&minnie]

Just re-read Lord of the Flies and be glad you're not on a deserted island with them. Then pop some popcorn, watch "Lost" on tv tonight, and go in tomorrow for a fresh start. Kids can be monsters, but you'll sort it out.

 

[SDFgirl]

Thanks to all for your encouragement and reassurance. I'm still a nervous wreck, but now slightly less so - thanks to you guys.

I'm so used to being GOOD at things. I know that sounds snotty, but I'm usually really good at my job. It's humbling and challenging when you try your hardest and still flop.

I'm off to take a bubble bath with a glass of wine. Tomorrow will be a new day!

Thanks again. I know we don't know each other, but your support and kind words mean so much.

 

[bengalbelle]

First of all, hang in there! It will get better.

There are several things I would do. First of all, has your supervising teacher made it clear to the students that you carry the same authority she does? When I did my student teaching (in two different schools - middle and elementary) both of my supervising teachers made it clear to the students that I had the same authority and would follow the established discipline plan.

Try to cut off the behavior before it gets out of hand. Make sure your lessons are interesting and engaging. If a student begins to misbehave, casually walk over to him/her and just stand next to them without stopping what you're doing. If that cue doesn't work, gently put your hand on their shoulder or desk without saying anything directly to them...just continuing what you're doing with the whole class. If that doesn't work give a warning then follow through with the discipline plan. Be consistent. I know it's hard sometimes, just try not to let them see they're getting to you.
This worked well with my younger students - sometimes with my 5th graders. Say you've given them an assignment and Susie has gone right to work but Jane is in la la land. Instead of saying "Jane, get to work" try "I like the way Susie has....(insert whatever here). Usually my third graders would whip around and look at Susie and then do what they were supposed to be doing in the first place. Just don't overuse it and when you see the "offender" doing the right thing - notice it!

Above all remember this. Sometimes you can do everything right and things will still go straight to you know where. It happens in every profession. Just keep at it! Good luck!

 

[daisyduck123]

Oh my goodness I have so totally been there!

It was the late 1980's & I was the long-term sub in a 6th grade elementary class. I had just graduated college with my elem. degree. The class was so horrible that there were several days I had to call the principal to my room to come "talk" with the class. I couldn't get them under control. They had never met their teacher because I was starting the school year for her.

Anyway, I vowed never to teach 6th grade again after those horrible 6 weeks. First grade is super!!!

 

[Texan Mouseketeer]

Hang in there!! It does get better, but even after 8 years of doing this, I still have bad days, too!
Another poster mentioned Harry Wong. Make that your Bible of Teaching until those procedures just come naturally. Most people say it takes a teacher 3 years to 'get it right'. I know everyone is different, but it's a good thing to tell yourself to put it all in perspective!
Also, until you get your own room, those kids do not hold you in the same light as their real teacher. There's just no other way around it. So use every trick in the book you can get away with to get them to 'perform' for you when the principal comes.
I did a special year long student teaching program my last year of college and my overall grade was a B. I was so discouraged! The next year, my first year of teaching, I received the New Teacher of the Year award for the entire district. To me, the differences between being in someone's class and having your own was just night and day.

 

[solferino]

5th graders are tough! I run an afterschool program and it's that agegroup of kids that gives me the greatest run for my money. And when things are challenging, I simply ask them if their regular classroom teacher would get the same treatment, and if so, what would his reaction be? That gives them something to ponder and usually reminds them that we all deserve the same respect as their teacher.

And when things are very good, I make a point of letting them know that as well as telling their parents at pickup. It really seems to help the kids realise how proud of them I am when mom or dad hears it, too.

 

[minniecarousel]

I'm not a teacher but I was the sole X-ray technician in a clinic straight out of school. I cried after work many of those early days! Just hang in there - it will get better!

 

[Feralpeg]

I'm sorry your day went so badly. I remember a similar experience while student teaching. I was trying to teach a lesson to an advanced sixth grade class. They were doing everything but paying attention. I tried talking to them and telling them that they would have to skip recess. They just ignored me and kept on talking. So, I stopped talking. I just stood there silent. After a couple of minutes one of the kids noticed me and said something to one of the others. Pretty soon, I heard things like "look at her". After a couple of minutes, you could have heard a pin drop in the classroom. We then, had a talk about respect in the classroom. After that, I had no more problems. Give yourself a chance. We've all been there.

 

[paigevz]

I'm in my 11th year of teaching, and I cry sometime each year! It happens to everybody, and everybody has moments when the class seems hopelessly out of control.

You can keep some high-interest papers held back for such times.....some of those very complicated drawings and colored pencils to color them in with would be great..........just to pull out to get them seated and quiet. Afterwards, let them know that the way they are right now is how you need them in order to teach them. Tell them they can have these "special" things from time to time if you can have their attention when needed.

Also, be sure you are doing lots of positive feedback during the day. There will usually be SOMEONE you can point out as doing SOMETHING well. A simple, "I like the way June is ..........." works. Be sure not to choose the "scapegoat" of the class for that. They need it too, but more privately would work better for them. Also, more private for the "tough guy", who is usually hiding huge insecurities. You should aim for 3-5 times more positives than negatives during any period. You can tally them for yourself and see what you're doing.

Don't worry about the principal if you can help it. They know how it is, and are looking for what you do well. There's plenty of good stuff going on too.

5th is a tough age. I have them in after school science. You can appeal to their humanity, though, and they will usually deliver. Everyone gathering in an intimate little group to talk things over can really help. Point out what you need from them and why, the consequences when they don't deliver, and include how you feel..........most do listen. If there is a ringleader or two, send them on a special errand and talk to the rest about the particular challenges that child is facing with behavior, and how they can help you. At my level, I ask the kids to try to look another way, get up to sharpen a pencil, or get a new book.........whatever they need to do to pull themselves away from being an audience when a particular child is being inappropriate or disruptive.

Anyway, not meaning to sound preachy, just some advice and I hope it helps!

 

[princess pooh]

Don't be so hard on yourself, it happens to everyone. I was so frustrated today that I wanted to cry on the way home, and I've been teaching the same group of students for the past three years! Those bad days suck but you get to start over fresh tomorrow

 

[castleview]

Oh, you poor thing. Hang in there. My DH has been a teacher for ten years. If you saw how stressed out he was during his first year, you wouldn't believe that he's kept at it.

 

[staci]

I have been there, it is actually very reassuring for me to read through this whole thread!

I hope you have a cooperating teacher that is willing to help you work it all out. I taught full time for 6 weeks before my actual 'head teaching' and the kids were great, not perfect, but totally under control. The day before my head teaching 'officially' started, my CT told the class she was leaving for two weeks. And after that, all #*%! broke loose Really, it was mostly two or three students, but omg I was so stressed out, especially since it was so close to the end, I didnt see it coming at all, and I had to turn it around FAST. Talk to your CT and maybe come up with some contingency management ideas for the rest of your time there; could you do a jar that you put things in for good behavior, or a paper chain you add to hanging from the ceiling that gets added to for good behavior, with a prize once it touches the floor?

Tomorrow will be a better day

 

[SpecialK]

Don't worry about it - every student teacher goes through it. It could be worse. There was a student teacher from my college who was student teaching in a very tough school. A fight broke out between two very big guys. She called for help but no one showed up, so the only thing she could think to do was to swing her purse at them. Unfortunately, she forgot about the can of Diet Coke she had thrown in her purse to have at lunch. Knocked one out cold. Luckily, no charges were pressed...

 

[escape]

Don't worry about it - every student teacher goes through it. It could be worse. There was a student teacher from my college who was student teaching in a very tough school. A fight broke out between two very big guys. She called for help but no one showed up, so the only thing she could think to do was to swing her purse at them. Unfortunately, she forgot about the can of Diet Coke she had thrown in her purse to have at lunch. Knocked one out cold. Luckily, no charges were pressed...

It's funny now but I'm sure at the time it was a scary situation.

For the OP....your story brought back memories of when I was in the 5th grade - many, many years ago. I remember having a student teacher that we brought to tears on the first day. I also remember feeling so sorry for her. After that first day, we straightened up somewhat and she turned out to be one of the best teachers I've ever had. I vaguely remember other student teachers but I'll never forget her.

 

[nhrenee]

Don't worry about it - every student teacher goes through it. It could be worse. There was a student teacher from my college who was student teaching in a very tough school. A fight broke out between two very big guys. She called for help but no one showed up, so the only thing she could think to do was to swing her purse at them. Unfortunately, she forgot about the can of Diet Coke she had thrown in her purse to have at lunch. Knocked one out cold. Luckily, no charges were pressed...

I bet a few teachers wish they could do that!

 

[SDFgirl]

Thanks to everyone! I'm home from my second day, and it went much, much better!

The kids have a pizza party tomorrow, it's been planned for a week or two. So, I wrote PIZZA on the board and told them that I would erase a letter when things got out of control. If the word gets entirely erased, then no pizza tomorrow! This worked pretty well. We ended up with "zza" and I was glad I didn't have to cancel it. (Hey, I like pizza too!) As my mom said, "They're not going to hand good behavior to you on a silver platter!"

I had a meeting with the principal too. She was actually quite complimentary and said she can tell that I've got what it takes! She just said that I, like any other teacher, need to reflect on every experience I have - good and bad - and learn from it. That was very nice to hear.

I appreciate everyone's stories and kind words. They really helped me to feel better last night...

 

[Swimnoid]

Good for you on the PIZZA idea! It's amazing what they will do for food!

 

[DisneyJen0504]

Hang in there!!
You can do it!