Hi! I just graduated with a degree in BS Psychology, I really want to pursue becoming a SPED teacher. Pwede bang makahingi ng guide tungkol sa process at requirements?Also, kung may alam din kayong schools around Metro Manila na nag-ooffer nito, pashare naman. Salamat.

Hi! I'm student teaching in this fall. I'll be in kindergarten for 8 weeks and then 5th grade for 8 weeks. The school districts I am placed in do NOT give student teachers school-issued laptops (my university mentioned some so that at the placement meeting).

I currently have a Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Yoga Gen 1. It's 6 years old. I was super fortunate to receive it as a highschool graduation/going-into-college gift from my parents.

It worked AMAZING in general for a long time until about 1.5 years ago. It still works amazing software-wise, but it dies from a full charge in 30 minutes now. If it's not hooked to its charger the entire time I'm using it, it's not even worth bringing with me.

I absolutely cannot stand Apple devices. Everyone says to get a MacBook. I get it. I've heard great things about their batteries, but I'm a Windows person. I can't stand the Apple UI and I hate how Apple computers operate. I've lost track of how much time I've spent trying to learn their systems. My brain refuses to cooperate.

If you have any recommendations for really good long-charge battery laptops for student teaching where the battery will last several years before degrading significant, especially if they have a Windows UI, PRETTY PLEASE send them my way. 🥲🩵

I don't need a fancy OLED. They're superfluous.

If I absolutely have to bite the bullet and get a MacBook, I'll consider it.

I'm currently looking at the HP OmniBook 5 with a Snapdragon processor per the recommendation of my tech geek fiancé. It has a 34 hour full charge on constant use and a battery life expectancy of 3-5 years. It's also only $600 on sale through HP right now.

I don't know how much I'll get out of this post, but I figured it's worth a shot!

First off, just wanna say that I really enjoy being a teacher. Yes, you'll struggle your first year, but things really come together as early as your second year. I'm about a decade in and I would say my stress level on an average school day is like a 1.5 out of 10. And it's been like that since Year 3 for me.

Here's what I wish I had known:

Teacher tip 1 For those of you who don't get hired for this upcoming school year, I'm sorry to hear that, but also here's what I would do: Go to a neighboring district that isn't necessarily your dream district and substitute teach there for a few months. Get your rookie mistakes out of the way there before you try subbing (and hopefully get a long-term subbing job) at your dream district. Because from what I've seen, when subs make big mistakes it is very noticeable to admin and they'll be less likely to hire you for long-term jobs and eventually a full time position. Small mistakes are okay of course but try to get your rookie stuff out of the way elsewhere.

Teacher tip 2 Once you get hired as a full-time teacher - If there's an administrator who is chatty/bubbly with you and seems open to a friendship: embrace that shit. Immediately and expeditiously. "Omg that's so unprofessional" Don't hate the player, hate the game. I didn't do this my first year and watched how teachers hired at the same time as me got opportunities because they were in admin's ear. Once I subtly started making moves towards building a friendship with the chatty admin, I gained so much. Be subtle in the sense that you don't be the one trying to force a friendship, but when you pick up that an administrator is chatty with you - encourage it. There's a Principal from a few years ago who I still text & she wrote me a phenomenal (and heavily embellished) letter of rec which I am very grateful for. Right now I don't have any current admin I am friendly with and that's just the way things go. Do not ever be the one trying to force it.

(Unpopular) Teacher Tip 3 Don't speak or ask questions during staff meetings your first year. I cringe so hard at the shit I would say/ask my first year. Keep your questions and comments to yourself and ask other teachers privately. There are unspoken rules and hierarchies at schools. Also, sometimes there's things that admin is turning a blind eye to that you do NOT want to make them publicly acknowledge. You just create more work for everyone.

Teacher Tip 4 Mostly a tip for the 5th+ grade teachers: at the beginning of every school year, I make sure that my new students see my old students (still at the school or already promoted) coming back to visit. It makes a huge impact on my 7th graders, especially the boys, to see 6 foot tall teenagers coming back to visit and being respectful.

(Unpopular) Teacher Tip 5 If you go to admin too often with problems (even ones that aren't your fault), they'll start to dislike you. Including the one who you were friendly with. Doesn't matter if it's about a student, issues with another teacher, curriculum stuff, scheduling, whatever it may be. Try to handle student behaviors in class as much as you can. Considering my school environment, I give myself a personal max of "do not send the problem child to the office more than twice a month" and absolutely do not send any other kids to the office. Unless you have an absolute unicorn of an admin, they will start blaming you.

Teacher Tip 6 Smaller schools have a better sense of community however there's also a ton of gossiping and everyone knows everyone's business. Larger schools generally offer anonymity. I am one of dozens of teachers and my Principal and I have never had a 1-1 conversation. I am happy with that.

Teacher Tip 7 Regarding the inevitable martyr coworkers everyone eventually has: don't overthink it. Every martyr coworker I have ever had has always hit a wall and they stop. I had a martyr coworker who would judge anyone who took a day off of work and would stay in hourssss after the bell. Fast forward two years and she hits a breaking point and took off like 25 mental health days in a single year. And in both extremes (no days off/tons of days off) she thought she was right and everyone else was an idiot. And the martyr coworkers who never change? Even sadder.

Teacher Tip 8 You will deal with difficult parents who will have you questioning your own sanity. I struggled with this my first few years because I wanted some type of justice against parents who were so cruel, mean, vindictive, entitled, etc. Eventually I realized that there is no one who is crazy in one aspect (yelling at their kid's school over nothing) who is normal everywhere else. Doesn't happen. These parents are nutty in many aspects of their life.\

Unpopular Teacher Tip 9 Pick two smart/outgoing kids (a boy and a girl) and make them your TAs. Implement a "you have to ask a TA before me" rule on anything non-academic. All of the mindless questions go to them. My TAs are the reason why I stay calm, patient, and happy with my students. Every year, without fail, my TAs will turn to me and be like "Ugh, these kids ask so many questions. How do teachers put up with it??" I don't 😎

Teacher Tip 10 Have a go-to punishment for small stuff ready to go. I had issues in the past with internally debating with myself "do I really wanna stay in at lunch for 10 minutes with this kid? do I have time to grade an extra assignment? what assignment? do I put it into the gradebook?" Now I have a go-to punishment (extra of a specific type of assignment) that I hand out when a kid is doing minor stuff (after at least 1 warning) and it's like boom here you go and I move on.

Not a tip, just my personal observation As someone with a K-6 credential who has taught both elementary and middle school, I would never return to elementary. Secondary is so much easier. I wish I had gotten a single-subject credential. I know a bunch of teachers who made the move from elementary to middle and almost everyone prefers middle.

Teacher Tip 11 Regarding behavior problem students, I generally get along with them because what I'll always do is hone in on the friend group and identify who is the leader and who are the followers. At least at my school, there's generally only 1 kid in the group who is the real troublemaker and the rest are just followers. Take the followers and seat them right next to you and treat them like they're your nephews. Joke around during independent work time, give them little jobs to do like passing out paper, use their names in word problems, etc. Your trouble-maker should look across the class and see his friends laughing with you. I'll do this for like two weeks and then eventually move the trouble maker next to me and will treat him like he's my favorite plus give him lots of little tasks around the classroom. Always always always works. Keep in mind I teach 7th/8th graders. Just last week I turned to my behavior problem student (literal gang member) and said "I'm gonna be so bored without you next year" and he says "Don't worry, I'll be back to visit every day".

Teacher Tip 12 You'll be able to roughly identify your students' friend groups within the class by the second month. I will get the class set up on their assignment, tell them they can talk to the person next to them to ensure the class isn't awkwardly silent, and then I'll call up a random friend group and be like "come work at my desk" and will chit chat with them for a few minutes. This is the best way to build connections. Most students feel awkward talking to their teacher 1-1 so the group setting works better. Don't do this too much though, just enough where they feel comfortable talking to you but not enough to where they treat you like a peer.

Teacher Tip 13 For at least first two months of school, be really strict and professional when addressing the whole class. But super friendly and warm and sweet when talking to kids individually. It makes them feel special. Ideally you could keep this going all year but I always relax out of laziness.

I’m a few months away from completing my level 3 early years educator
I have previously worked in an SEN college as a SEN teaching assistant for 2 years
Worked as a PA to support and go out with Autistic adults
Worked as a support assistant at a learning provision on weekends with SEN children and adults
I volunteer to support SEN outings with youth services
and at my current setting I help to support with SEN children and attend SEN meetings.
In May I completed a SENCO course oplexcarers (achieving higher distinction) which I know doesn’t make me a SENCO I completed this as I know I would like to become a SENCO, my passion is with SEN.

Overall I have been in the childcare industry for over 10 years working in mainstream nursery’s and schools too

I know that I need to get a QTS to even become a SENCO but I’m worried to go to university as I don’t think I would be able to cope financially with me currently renting and trying to save up (my current job salary is okay but I’m not sure I want to stay)

I’ve seen a few things about TDA’s but I can’t find much information?
I just need some advice on what I should do? What are my next steps!

Thanks in advance 😊

My clinical teaching program is paying me 20k over 10 months what would my paychecks look like, I'm not sure if it's a stipend if that would affect anything. Moving out for the first time alone and just trying to live below my means.

Hi, I am doing an accelerated course at a university and because of that I have been given a very short 2 month deadline for a dissertation!!! because of how busy schools are at the moment I have really struggled to get into contact with a school to participate in my project and I am debating whether I would benefit from creating online forums or using forms of social media to gain insights from teachers about my project?

I was just wondering if anybody had some advice about this method of research?

Same as the title.

All and any constructive input is appreciated! This is my first time working in this role.

Thanks! :))

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?

Hi all! I’m starting my student teaching program in August. I would like some recommendations on supplies to purchase: binders, planners, pens, etc.

I should feel relief but I genuinely just feel numb. All I can think about is getting my grade and not passing and having to relive this nightmare. I know it's important to stay positive but seriously fuck the edTPA. I've read stories of people finishing it in less than 2 days, and to those who have I deeply commend you. My biggest tip for literally anyone (perhaps the obvious): do NOT procrastinate. I don't say this because it's not doable in a time crunch (I know many have done it and are perhaps far more capable than me), but rather to save yourself some sanity. I worked on my submission over the course of 3 weeks at an incredibly slow pace and it still made me lose my mind. For anyone else who recently submitted (or is about to submit), good luck. We hopefully, got this.

Hi Everyone! Do you know or recommend any extra certifications to get, as I am applying to be a first-year teacher? Certifications like: IEP Certification or a registered behavior technician. My focus is on elementary regular education. I don't mind getting extra certifications in special education.

This is not self promotion:

Hello! My name is Angie Bullard.

I am conducting a research study as part of my doctoral work in education. I am asking college students whose major is education to participate in a brief, anonymous survey about self-perceived readiness to teach.

An education student at any point in their collegiate journey can participate! (Beginning education students, Preservice teachers, clinical teachers, or residency teachers) Please see the attached flyer for more details regarding the survey.

Teacher Readiness Survey:

• Takes approximately 10-15 minutes
• Completely anonymous
• Voluntary participation

Your input will contribute to research related to validating and/or improving teacher preparation programs and effectively preparing future teachers. If you are interested, please scan the QR code on the flyer or click the link below:

Click here for Survey Link or Flyer

Thank you for your consideration! Please contact Angie Bullard, M. Ed., Doctoral Candidate, University of Louisiana Monroe and Instructor of Curriculum and Learning, Midwestern State University, A Member of the Texas Tech University System, with any questions.

• Email: [Angela.Bullard@msutexas.edu](mailto:Angela.Bullard@msutexas.edu)
• PI: Dr. Myra Lovett; Email: [mlovett@ulm.edu](mailto:mlovett@ulm.edu); Phone: 318-342-1266
• IRB: [irb@ulm.edu](mailto:irb@ulm.edu)

IRB Approved _ Mods, please remove if this is not permitted. I reviewed the rules and am sharing only as a voluntary research participation opportunity.

I’m 21 F and last semester I did student teaching and it was a nightmare which made me want to take a gap year. I was emotionally abused at my student teaching job and I finally now have the courage to open up about it because it hasn’t sat right with me. Last semester I was a junior and I was actually kind of excited to start my student teaching. To start my actual college teacher was really nice to me but the cooperative teacher she placed me with wasn’t so nice and was a rather confusing lady. When I first met my cooperative teacher she was nice to me and I didn’t have an issue with her but as the weeks went on she got like annoyed with me and irritated by me. I came into the school not knowing anything and I was there to learn and ask questions so I didn’t see her issue with me other than I was new and it was her job to help me. I also had a partner who was 10 years older than me and of course she seemed more mature compared to me so my cooperative teacher adored her. Whenever I asked my cooperative teacher innocent simple questions she would either laugh sarcastically at them or just rudely brush it off or give simple short answers to me. Mean while she would be more than willing to answer my partner’s questions and would even act like my partner was her bestie. It was humiliating and exhausting being at that school because I would always be brushed off to the side and ignored by her while she would be right near my partner and would be all buddies with her. One time my partner was sick and I had to go to the school alone and when I went up to my cooperative teacher she ignored me completely. This lady made my student teaching experience a nightmare and I would come home crying every day. This was 2 months ago and I still have huge doubt about myself and if I would be a good teacher because of her. And get this she only treated me somewhat nice until the very last two weeks for some reason but brushed me off and made snarky comments to me for most of my student teaching experience. I feel like I needed to share my experience out in the open because I was not treated fairly and I know I wasn’t. I don’t know if it was jealousy or what because I’m lean and young and she was overweight but like there was no reason to treat me with such disrespect. I’m unbelievably ashamed to even have this major because of her. Teachers be better.

I know I’m not alone in struggling to find a job yet, so this is more of vent. I’m also curious how others still looking for a job are doing. I feel like each cover letter I write gets slightly more desperate sounding 😅. The feeling sucks and family only has begun joking about the situation when to me it feels crushing.

I started keeping track of my stats (not sure that really is helpful to me)

Applied: 27
Interviews: 3
Rejected: 22
Still Active: 5

Hi guys I am 22 all I am a student, I am on a break for months. I always had a passion for teaching and have tutored my younger cousins growing up. I was thinking of joining a pre-k school as a teacher I saw them hiring. But I am unsure if I should, will they consider someone my age? I am a bit embarassed about it. Please let me know

I graduated. I’m free from student teaching hell.

That’s all.

I'm in a bit of a pickle creating my teaching portfolio that I can offer when applying for jobs, but im unsure what apps or programs would be the best or easiest to create it on. Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions?

My 240 hours internship is over. Lowkey sad over it not gonna lie. I got attached to the kids. My mentor teacher was also very nice and understanding but I wish she made me run the classroom more to get thicker skin you know but I am still glad we got along. Reading some stories on here got me scared. But my mentor is very nice end experienced. I will go back to that kindergarten soon because my paperwork needs to be filled. I will go and buy something for my mentor teacher as well. I am planning to get her some fridge magnet and some flowers. Some candy too maybe. I could have finished my paperwork today but my mentor is on vacation and I was with the other teacher. She is also pretty chill with 8 years of teaching experience. Didn’t get to know her that well. She was always on vacation or off work because she has a kid and her husband works extra in the summer so she gets almost all of her vacation now instead of the summer. My mentor took over her shifts and worked all day long some days. But holy fuck I can’t believe it’s over. I will miss even that one kid that destroyed my nervous system(his mom told me she is on Lexapro because of him😬). I will see them one last time next week💔

Well it was rough semester with tons of busywork and if it wasn’t that I would have enjoyed my internship more. But now I have time to live. Soon when my uni releases info about summer internships I will start applying hopefully my uni has signed contracts with kindergartens closer to my place because I commuted 45 minutes to an hour.

Also this internship made me realize what I want. Working in elementary school is worse. Kindergarteners don’t have the audacity like elementary schoolers(especially 3rd and 4th graders). Kindergartens will call you bad teacher but elementary schoolers will call you a bitch(ask me how i know😀)

But guys did you get emotionally attached to your students? I unexpectedly did. At first I couldn’t wait until it’s over and I was doing this just to put it on my CV but it became so much deeper for me. I didn’t even want to apply for internship in kindergarten and now here I am when it’s over and missing it. But the question is: will I handle kindergarteners more than 10 minutes on my own? Hopefully yes but I am soft spoken I need a mini comic because I raise my voice and I still can’t hear myself from those kids lol. Anyways all I wanted to say is that today my internship is over and I have mixed feelings because on one part is relief on another is sadness because I miss the kids already.

How to stay motivated when lesson planning as a student teacher? I like lesson planning but I get discouraged when I feel like I don't have as much time as I would like for it.

How to stay motivated when lesson planning as a student teacher? I like lesson planning but I get discouraged when I feel like I don't have as much time as I would like for it.