Advice+For+Interns

//This is a space specifically designed for current and past interns to give advice to future interns. Mentor teachers, please feel free to post here as well.//


 * Classroom Management**
 * Don't talk over the students. Its so hard not to! I did this for a long time, and it is hard to become comfortable standing in front of a class waiting for them to settle down, but if you keep them after, (or make them earn back the time in silence at the end of class) just ONCE, it works WONDERS. Then, when you start to count the time, they start policing themselves, and your job is much easier. user:cartierm
 * Use wait time, I used to think I was a pro at this... And then I realized how uncomfortable those silences are. If you like to talk, this will be difficult, but try your hardest to give them at least a minute of think time. It is amazing how much you can get from them if you give them time to think. user:cartierm
 * My assistant principal Matt Wandrie gave me a few tips on how to capture attention and hold students accountable. One, for super important directions, grammar points, etc, have SEVERAL kids repeat what you have just said. Rapid fire, have many students do this. They will look at you funny at first (like didn't she just ask that question?) but they remember things well this way too. user:cartierm
 * The other, for a especially resistant class, tell them that you have time to wait, and that you need to see X numbers of hands in the air before continuing. They don't like to sit there, so volunteers miraculously show up. user:cartierm
 * One of the hardest things I learned this year was negotiating the relationship with my students. I had heard the "don't smile til Christmas" mantra and was determined NOT to be that teacher. I thought that I could be cool and friendly and still have my authority. I learned quickly that it doesn't really work that way. My advice is this: Be firm from the beginning and let them know that while you value their opinion and conrtibutions to class, you are the one "running the show" (for lack of better phrase). user:mllegibbs


 * General**


 * Get involved in your school community early on! Even though you will be a little stressed at the beginning of the year while you're adjusting to your new schedule, you will be doing the least work early in the fall in terms of placement responsibilities, so I would definitely recommend making something extra curricular part of your schedule before you get busier. This is probably my biggest regret... user:AmyBas
 * Get a principal, or assistant principal to come and observe you! It is stressful and nerve racking, but great later down the line when you are looking for jobs because they can truly attest to your teaching abilities. user:cartierm


 * Planning**
 * When checking papers or tests, always do it page by page... Dont check a test in it's entirety and then to another. Page by page is MUCH faster, because you start to memorize what you need, and so it is much faster! user:cartierm
 * [|Zotero] is a great tool to organize your resources online, or use [|Delicious] or [|Diigo]. These are great for having all your resources for a certain unit/project online. Zotero saves on your pc, but delicious and Diigo are accessible anywhere you have internet! user:cartierm


 * Portfolio**
 * Take a lot of pictures, when it comes time to put your portfolio together (which in August feels really far away, but we can tell you second semester FLIES by) you will really want A LOT of them. user:cartierm
 * MSU will probably introduce this assignment to you in January, which is not soon enough. Start thinking about how you can document your progress and your ideas about teaching, learning, lesson planning, student work and classroom management early, it will help you out a lot, because this assignment can be overwhelming. user:cartierm
 * KNOW your portfolio. That way during an interview you can easily refer to a page without searching (for what seems like hours) for that great example you want to show off.user:mllegibbs


 * MSU Classes**
 * Take pictures THROUGHOUT the entire 4 years of your classes at MSU. There are so many things that you have experiences in, that you can show without documentation and pictures. Take pictures in 250, 302, and 407 408. And GET PERMISSION TO USE THEM IN YOUR PORTFOLIO.user:cartierm
 * Get to know your professors and build relationships with them. I got so much great advice my last year- I wish I had asked sooner! Plus, they may be willing to write you a letter of recommendation when it comes time.user:mllegibbs