Student Teacher from Hell

[marigot]

So I'm dreading going back to work tomorrow. I have the Student Teacher from Hell (STFH) in my room for the next two weeks. I've always been such a good sport about student teachers... For the last five years, I've taken in 3 a year, mentored them, wrote their reviews, coaxed them through that initial "Yikes, do I really want to do this?" panic

Comments

[lambourngb]

They are kids, not puppies. Kids who can be really cute, but also can chase one another with crayons, with screaming, with the usual chaos as you're well aware. If she wants cute, she should go into making balloon animals for parties, or writing Hallmark cards.

My condolences.

[marigot]

Thank you... that's EXACTLY it! They are not puppies or kittens or fuzzy little bunnies. They're KIDS. Who are in my classroom because they need additional help and support from adults, not ditzy idiots who squeal over how cuuuuute they are.

[greenmtnboy18]

This post makes me think of something I discuss with my coworker on a somewhat regular basis (which is to say, we both say the same thing whenever the topic arises even tangentially).

And that is: "Have you ever noticed that all interns do is make MORE work for us?"

Seriously. I mean I know... part of having an intern or student IS that you're mentoring, which is work. But at the same time, the kind generally-approved "line" is that it's supposed to be HELPFUL as well. As in extra hands doing the work, extra expertise, etc.

Except... not so much. Really, all I've ever found is that interns generate more work for us.

(Volunteers, too, more often than not. But that's another topic entirely.)

[marigot]

YES!! And can I add YES!! *grin* All my co-workers are always saying "Gosh, you're so lucky, everyone wants to student teach with you. What a help that must be be!"

Um... no. In that situation, I end up teaching ten kids, my two instructional assistants AND a student teacher! Pretty much the opposite of helpful.