So, you’re about to start your student teaching semester, the culmination of your four years of college. Now you have to actually teach! We asked collegiate students what makes them most nervous about student teaching.
Lack of Subject Knowledge
This theme came up repeatedly. “I'm most nervous about curriculum planning for music theory courses,” says Krysta Mirsik. “I’m very removed from the days of basic theory, and I don't always feel confident in teaching something to others that I don't necessarily have a strong grasp of myself. I'm hoping that with the assistance of my student teaching mentor, I’ll be able to feel more secure in my curriculum planning skills.”
Christina Hardman says, “I’ve become nervous about teaching things I never gained experience for, like world drumming, or even ironing shirts for a concert.” Abby Shocik worries that “some of my students are more musically advanced than I will know how to help.”
Mentor/Student Teacher Relationship
One of the most important relationships in student teaching is with your mentor teacher. Christina Hardman says, “If my relationship with my mentor teacher doesn’t go well on the first day, it will be a rough semester.”
Student/Student Teacher Relationship
Abby Shocik says, “I'm only four years older than some of my students.”
Christie Scott says, “I worry about explaining concepts to my students in ways they can understand, because how much we know means nothing unless we can explain it in many different ways to someone else! I also worry about striking a good balance between respect and friendship with the students. We all want to be liked, but I don’t want to struggle with classroom management, either.”
Doubts About Wanting to Teach
“Once I actually start teaching I might not want to teach for a career,” says Abby Shocik.
Read the entire Student Teaching Series:
Student Teaching: Answers to Your Anxieties
Student Teaching: What I Learned
Student Teaching: Tips From Veteran Teachers
For help and support, visit the Future Teachers Forum.
Read other weekly articles about Student Teaching.
How to Make the Most of Your Student Teaching (Part 1)
How to Make the Most of Your Student Teaching (Part 2)
How to Make the Most of Your Student Teaching (Part 3)
Trouble in Paradise
Bee Ready For Student Teaching
MENC Collegiate members quoted:
Krysta Mirsik is in her final year at Montclair State University, New Jersey. She is also serving as the 2009-2010 State Secretary for NJCMENC.
Christina Hardman is a senior music education major at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. She is currently student teaching and plans to graduate in May of this year.
Abby Shocik is a University of Vermont senior, music education student, and member of the honor's college. She is currently student teaching at Mount Mansfield Union High School in Jericho, Vermont.
Christie Scott is a music education major at Rutgers University, New Jersey, class of 2012.
--Jen Reed, January 27, 2010 © MENC: The National Association for Music Education.