The “What to Expect During Student Teaching and Practicum” took place Thursday evening in the Buzzard auditorium to help inform and comfort students about their student teaching experience.

The presentation was hosted by a panel of current student teachers, cooperating teachers and student teaching coordinators. This question-answer presentation was an opportunity for students to ask questions about their concerns for student teaching.

The panel expressed how important it is for a student and teacher to form a relationship with their cooperating teacher. This way the student can express their issues and concerns, and the cooperating teacher can give advice and suggestions to better their teaching skills. The panel advised students to find time to observe the classroom and meet with the teacher before they start student teaching. This way students can learn what the teacher will expect from them throughout the year. Students can also find out about other things such as dress code and curriculum for the classroom.

A recommendation the panel had for student teachers was to get involved in their placement school. An easy way to do this is for student teachers to get involved in something that interests them, such as coaching or theater. The panel said this will look great on students’ resume and is a great way to meet the children in the school. They explained that being involved can help student teachers get jobs.

With it being no secret that the job market is struggling, the panel expressed to students that they should keep an open mind to moving, and going out of state.

When asked what advice he would give for student teachers looking for jobs, Jim Kestner, Chair of student teaching, said substitute teaching is a good way to give a teacher a head start.

“This way the school gets to know the person as a teacher.”

Also Kestner also gave advice for student teachers.

“Take advantage of every opportunity to prepare yourself for student teaching,” Kestner said.

Advice and useful information was given at the presentation and helped to calm students’ nerves like Tracy Dudzik, a sophomore family consumer science major.

“The presentation helped to secure us on what we are getting ourselves into,” Dudzik said. “I’m most looking forward to the experience of being a student teacher, and I can’t wait to work with the kids.”

Amanda Walsh can be reached at 581-2812 or atwalsh@eiu.edu.