Points of advice … continued

16. Resources and materials

These support lessons but do not become ‘the’ lesson. Smart boards support teachers but don’t replace the teaching effort that needs to be applied. It can be easy to think that resource materials occupy a more important place than they should.

Make sure what you use is appropriate to the age level of students. If using a smart board or whiteboard text, make sure it is legible and not written in a small and hard-to-decipher script.

17. Owning lessons and deference to the classroom teacher when you are in charge

Although it can be difficult to understand, please know that you are the teacher in charge, particularly when doing your last practice when you are responsible for the lessons being taught in their entirety. Don’t feel you have to check lessons step-by-step with your mentor while lessons are underway. Ask at the end for feedback but try and carry the lesson without breaking to check how things are going. In part, this will give you increased self-confidence. It will also give children or students greater confidence and belief in your sr ‘Thierry’ teacher.

18. Satisfying competencies

Remember that competencies are cumulative and build on each other. As you satisfy each competency, you need to keep that competency as part of what you are doing, while adding the next to your skills. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that once you demonstrate competency, you can tick it off, forget it and move on to the next skill area. Each competency adds to those that have gone before and they are applied altogether.

19. Conclusion

I wanted to share these thoughts with you. As a person who was once a student teacher, I remember with appreciation the work down with me and helped me develop. It is up to those who are teachers, to make sure we continue help to those who are our upcoming and developing generation of teachers.

Should you wish, feel free to contact me at henry.gray7@icloud.com