A Preparation Guide for Student Teachers

A Complete Preparation Guide for Student Teaching Success 

Getting ready to student teach? Whether you're just starting your teaching degree program or you've lined up your first student teaching position, proper preparation will help you stand confidently in front of a classroom full of eager students. 

What Is Student Teaching? 

Student teaching is a practical, hands-on component of teacher education programs. It allows future teachers to apply their learning in real classroom settings under the supervision of experienced mentor teachers. Student teaching typically spans 14 to 16 weeks, giving you ample time to experience the full rhythm of the school year. Think of it as the bridge between your education coursework and full-time teaching—it’s the opportunity to test theories, hone skills, and build classroom confidence.

Now that you understand what student teaching entails, keep reading to learn four strategies to help prepare you for a successful student teaching experience.

1. Plan for a Full-Time Job 

Student teaching—also referred to as “demonstration teaching”—is a full-time job. Your placement may last 8 to 16 weeks, depending on your specific program requirements. This experience usually occurs during the normal school calendar. 

To meet this time commitment, you'll likely need to plan so that you can student teach full-time. This might mean quitting or taking a leave of absence from your job, arranging daycare, or planning a commute each weekday. 

Your days will be filled with lesson planning, classroom instruction, and meetings. Here's what to expect:

• Daily schedule: Expect to mirror the schedule of a full-time teacher. This could mean early starts, after-school meetings, and staying after hours to prepare for the next day.
• Gradual responsibility: At first, you'll observe your mentor teacher closely. Over time, responsibilities will increase, and you'll lead lessons, manage the classroom, and handle administrative tasks.
• Observation: Many schools require student teachers to observe different grade levels or subjects beyond their direct classroom experience.
• Assessment: Your performance will be evaluated through observations, lesson plans, and reflective journals, ensuring you’re on the right path. The Educative Teacher Performance Assessment (edTPA) is a widely recognized tool designed to assess the readiness and effectiveness of aspiring educators.

2. Research the Role 

Ask your cooperating or mentor teacher, clinical supervisor, or fellow student teachers about what the experience is like and which lessons you might glean from it. Read about what student teaching entails and learn more about how to prepare for the day-to-day responsibilities. 

If you don't have previous experience working with children, look into relevant positions like becoming a camp counselor or volunteer tutor. These roles can help prepare you for student teaching by exposing you to the dynamics between an educator and a student.  

When you receive your student teaching placement, learn as much as you can about the school, its culture, and its community to understand how you'll fit in and to help inform your lesson plan development. Don't be afraid to engage with your cooperating teacher or administrators and ask questions—they should be receptive to teachers-in-training who want to learn and become team players. 

Working with Your Mentor Teacher 

Your mentor teacher will be your guide during this process, offering invaluable advice and mentorship. Here's how to make the most of this partnership:

• Build a strong relationship: Approach your mentor with respect and openness. Set clear expectations and communication norms early on. 
• Effective communication: Regular, open discussions about lesson plan templates, classroom management strategies, and teaching challenges will enhance your experience.
• Observe whenever possible: Use observation time to learn classroom management techniques, teaching styles, and methods for engaging students.
• Be open to feedback: Constructive feedback is a gift. Reflect on your mentor's insights and use them to improve.

3. Consider Your Instructional Approach 

What kind of teacher do you want to be? How will you help students engage in active and collaborative learning? How will you ensure that your students meet learning objectives? And how will you meet student needs? Answering these types of questions can be helpful as you decide which methods of instruction will benefit both you and your students. 

Day one of your demonstration teaching may feel overwhelming. You might think you don't have time to develop new lesson plans for each day. The more you reflect on your teaching strategies and resources, the more prepared you'll be when the time comes to create lessons. Discuss what works and what doesn’t work with your mentor teacher—even first-year teachers can have valuable insights to share with you. 

Student teaching is your chance to develop and refine your teaching style. By incorporating modern methods, you'll be well equipped for today’s classrooms.

Modern Teaching Methods 

Education today goes beyond traditional direct instruction techniques. Understanding current strategies will help you stand out as a teacher in the following areas: 

• Technological integration: Use tools like smartboards, online learning platforms, and educational apps to engage students and enhance learning. 
• Differentiated instruction: Address diverse student needs by tailoring your methods for various learning styles and abilities. 
• Assessment strategies: Combine formative and summative assessments to monitor student progress and identify areas for improvement. 

Education programs, like those at WGU, emphasize training future teachers in these modern approaches, ensuring they are classroom ready.

4. Prepare Yourself for Classroom Challenges 

Student teachers need to learn how to confront and overcome challenges. No matter how ready you feel, things won't always go as planned. When you begin your student teaching, you are bound to have days when you struggle. A lesson might go wrong. Teaching technology may not function as intended. Backup plans help, but the most important thing is to not let classroom setbacks bother you. 

Know that it's OK to fail in front of your students—in fact, failure can be an opportunity to model how to respond when things don’t go the way you hope. If something happens and you make a mistake, fix it and then learn from it. Try to keep your composure. Find ways to relieve tension. Maintaining a sense of humor, for example, can serve you well. 

Preparing for the Future with WGU 

WGU's School of Education programs prepare future teachers with modern classroom skills, technological competency, and evidence-based teaching methods through comprehensive student teaching experiences. By combining academic rigor with real-world practice, these programs empower aspiring educators to confidently face the challenges of tomorrow’s classrooms. 

Learn more about how WGU's innovative, competency-based approach to education can set you on a path to success in your teaching career.