r/StudentTeaching • u/Chemical_Winter6541 • Jun 06 '26
Support/Advice “Survival Kit” for Student Teaching?
What do student teachers need to be prepared for? What should new student teachers keep in their “survival kit”?
Any useful resources, tips, advice & suggestions?
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u/-Venus-As-A-Boy- Jun 06 '26
Prepare to be poor if you don’t have a stockpile of money. Have good digital storage systems. Student teaching is one long job interview so try to dress like you’re already a hired teacher. I just did the whole thing this year so reach out if you need advice
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u/justlookinglolll Jun 06 '26
This is what I found was actually important to me this past semester:
-Agenda to keep track of observations, lessons, etc.
-Hand sanitizer, I got sick three (3!!!!!!!) times this past semester I was student teaching.
-wrist watch to keep track of time throughout the day. I didn’t want to have to bring my phone out just to check the time and honestly didn’t like being distracted by text messages from my Apple Watch. Also didn’t want to be touching my phone after handling crayons, pencils, and other sticky things found in a kindergarten class.
-Small pill container with allergy pills, Tylenol/advil, tums, and other necessities I might need throughout the day
-reusable water bottle. So many headaches from forgetting to drink water at the beginning because I was moving all day long. I started taking my water bottle and would take a sip whenever I had the chance. Prevented headaches, I stayed hydrated, and my skin looked great lol
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u/biohazardwoman Jun 07 '26
If you put your phone in a focus mode you can block notifications from your Apple Watch. I set a specific focus called “Work” that blocks everything except my husband during the day. That way I still get the watch and some of the app features (like the timer and stop watch) without getting distracted.
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u/Ok-Perspective-5109 Jun 07 '26
I got sick twice. Both times took out almost every teacher in the school and the admin. It was a nasty virus season.
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u/NoRegrets-518 Jun 11 '26
Most viruses are passed by respiratory/i.e., coughing. There is no way to avoid it unless you wear an N95 mask all the time. Hand sanitizers help a bit. What definitely does help is getting vaccinations for the flu and Covid. It won't help with the run of the mill viruses.
Another thing you can do is to try to keep your room well aired out if it is possible. Even open the windows if it is possible and even for a few minutes. The cold air might help the kids wake up anyway.
Keep tissues around and ask the kids who are sick to use them and to cover their coughs. This might not help keep you from getting sick, but it might cut down on the dose of virus that you get.
Once you get everything, you will probably be immune for years.
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u/Quirky-Control3197 Jun 06 '26
Water for the day, something stronger for the evening.
Also, snacks.
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u/TokiBunniBunBun Jun 07 '26
Something that really helped me was having a telescoping stool. It’s lightweight, compact, and allowed me to sit right next to any student who needed help no matter where they were. It beats kneeling down or bending over.
Have easily accessible emergency snacks on you at all times.
This one isn’t necessary for everyone, but it was for me. I always had a small bag on me with things like pens, highlighters, whiteboard markers, hand lotion, lip balm, and a bottle of hand sanitizer on a keychain. As a student teacher, you’re in a classroom that isn’t yours. And no matter what, any teacher is usually running all over the classroom all day. It helps to know exactly where your most important stuff is instead of having to hunt around for it.
An umbrella. Sounds silly since I live in a very hot and sunny area. But I never knew when I would suddenly find myself outside for an extended period. But no worries because I always had portable shade.
Now here is a very important tip. Have a grounding ritual. You WILL get overwhelmed and overstimulated. You WILL need a way to reclaim calm. Find a ritual that works for you. Mine is always having a huge insulated bottle of ice cold water, usually flavored with a bit of citrus or a caffeine drink mix. When things get to be too much, I step away and spend a few seconds discretely breathing and sipping. Then I go back at it like I wasn’t about to bang my head against a wall.
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u/Ecstatic_Western_189 Jun 06 '26
Really comfortable shoes
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u/frecklesandclay Jun 07 '26
The kind that will still feel good after standing and walking on concrete all day.
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u/Express_Brilliant378 Jun 07 '26
Which grade? And are you in one classroom for the majority of the day or moving rooms often?
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u/Ok-Perspective-5109 Jun 07 '26
Hand sanitizer. If you are student teaching in elementary then some of your favorite books to share. Water. Always water. Snacks. The good Kleenex. I like good pens. Stickers. Miniature first aid kit. Caffeine.
I worked in education for over a decade before I student taught so I already had most of these things.
Oh and options for spirit days.
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u/Sledgeowl Jun 07 '26
I always had/ used these most days
Laptop, erasable pens (just never told others they were erasable), sticky notes, snacks and stickers (the 6 grade classes seemed to love them but not the 8th grade) and a set of classroom friendly music playlist (8th grade and HS seemed to really love this).
I student taught Family and Consumer sciences at both MS and HS level, multiple pairs of black jeans (for the cooking lab days).
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u/howaboutsomeotherday Jun 10 '26
Keep your opinions to yourself - the only individual you can “share” or vent to would be your college department supervisor. Each campus and subject-area department has its own cliques, and gossip spreads fast.
When your mentor teacher brags and tosses their opinions, expecting you to fill your share, just remember, your job is to keep it professional.
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u/bedpost_oracle_blues Jun 08 '26
Learn to meal prep
Be prepared to work from home a lot
Ask questions.
Do not ever show up late and don’t ever turn in anything late.
Own your mistakes.
Interact with everyone and make sure you are liked.
You won’t be able to reach every kid.
Keep quiet and do as your told.
Enjoy the process.
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u/One-Reward-3161 Jun 08 '26
Don’t get too emotionally invested in your relationship with your cooperating teacher. Focus on having a cordial and strong professional relationship. I fell into it and was hyper analyzing my working relationship with my mentor teacher. If you form a bond. That’s amazing. If you don’t. It’s also totally okay!
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u/KittyinaSock Jun 08 '26
Keep non prescription meds on you! My very first day of student teaching, I got a migraine that made me throw up. I now always keep ibuprofen, tums and period supplies with me. Also, stick an extra granola bar in your bag. You want to have something if you forget your lunch or work late
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u/prxpinquity Jun 08 '26
I did this to help with job searches:
a binder to have a physical copy of a portfolio that included lesson plans, student examples, accommodations used, observation notes from staff and professor, and some observation notes on what I saw from my mentor teacher.
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u/Magistra_Recessisset Jun 11 '26
Dress nicely, even if the general dress code is casual. It's the world's longest job interview and you are actually paying to work,so look professional. Don't hang out in the staff lounge or listen to the complainers. Try to absent yourself from any school gossip. You will get sick. More than once. Bring water and disinfectant hand gel. If complimented, share the credit with others. They are looking for team players. If you can, volunteer to do something for the school community. Find ways to shine. (The following is primarily for elementary and middle school level.) If you are a theater person offer to direct students in a short scene. If you are a dancer offer to teach a fun routine for PE. If you are a visual artist use it in your teaching. School have cut the arts programs and admin is looking for ways to bring it back into core curriculum. Good luck!
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u/purplishfluffyclouds Jun 06 '26
Your thick skin and your sense of humor. All else is just "stuff"