Observations and Suggestions from Former Student Teachers

1. Come with a good attitude and ready to learn. Most people are willing to help and are very supportive.
2. Believe in yourself.
3. Know how to accept and react to constructive criticism.
4. Don’t worry about two experiences both will be very different and unique.
5. You will be busy! Expect a drop in your social life (sorry).
6. IT’S ONLY 16 WEEKS — YOU CAN MAKE IT! WE DID!
7. Be prepared for different lifestyles — you may encounter situations you aren’t familiar with. Examples: abuse, money, no responsibilities of families, etc.
8. PLEASE SAVE MONEY — student teaching costs a lot of money and you won’t have an income during the experience. BE PREPARED!!
9. Night life- Go to the Old Market in Omaha-Creighton and UNO students (people your own age)
10. Housing-Try to live in Council Bluffs. Get a roommate.
11. Expect to take time to build a relationship with your cooperating teacher.
12. Get placement stuff and resumes done as soon as possible. It takes a lot of your time.
13. Get involved in the extracurricular activities of your school if you have time.
14. Get to know your principal. Some schools (when applying for a job) ask for a reference from him/her.
15. Eat lunch in the teacher’s lounge.
16. Bring children’s books if you have them.
17. Find the Malls! Crossroads, Westroad, Mall of the Bluffs.
18. Spend a lot of time planning.
19. Go to the Dog Track, Horse Track, Baseball games, Concerts in Omaha, do non-school things on the weekends.
20. Good restaurants — The Great Wall.
21. Keep an open mind.
22. Always keep up a good relationship with your cooperating teacher.
23. BE FLEXIBLE.
24. Enjoy your students.
25. Do your Human Relations project EARLY.
26. BE CONFIDENT.
27. Get all the resources (files, etc.) as soon as possible.
28. Be enthusiastic and aggressive.
29. There are always rides to Cedar Falls — Don’t worry.
30. ENJOY YOURSELF!