Navigating the journey… from student teaching through your first years in the classroom

Synopsis: You have made it through your undergraduate education!  Now what?  This session will provide important pre-service information and highlight some “do’s” and “do not’s” that will help you not only survive student teaching, but thrive as you begin your new career.

Student Teaching

• Personal Space
• Responsibility: Too much?  Too little?
• Communication: Ask questions!
• Structure:  Change or keep the same?
• Your own teaching style – how can you fit in?
• Observe other teachers
• Be firm with students, yet kind
• Market yourself: Promotion, networking, etc.
• Resources: Take advantage of the situation!
• Embrace the positive and critical feedback

What are the impressions you want others to have of you during and after student teaching?

Getting a Job!

• Student teaching experience
• Planning ahead!!
• References: Communicate
• Social Media
• Interview Questions
• Applications completed during student teaching
• Cover letter & Résumé
• Thank you cards

First Year & Beyond

• Make friends: secretaries, custodians, bookkeeper
• Mentor:  Assigned or find one
• Traditions: good or bad?  You get to change one in the first year
• Managing the daily schedule & work load
• Scheduling classes: tips and tricks
• Balance personal & professional lives
• Attend regular professional development clinics, conferences, and workshops
• Become active in professional organizations
• Classroom procedures & setting expectations
• Staying Healthy – Sleep, eat well, exercise
• Don’t compare yourself or your program to your HS experiences
• Experiment and get out of your comfort zone
• Listen to your students (within reason)
• Regularly bring guests into your classroom

Don’t place limits on yourself – you never know where you will end up or what you will do!!

Presented by Music Education Faculty at Kennesaw State University

• Charles Laux, Assistant Professor of String Music Education at Kennesaw State University
• Alison Mann, Associate Professor of Choral Music Education at Kennesaw State University