Field Placement Time!

[fireheart]

Oh holy crap, I have about 2 months and then my field placement officially begins.

Background: I am currently studying to gain my masters in Teaching for Special Education. So when I leave, I will be qualified to teach children in both a mainstream and a special education environment (K-7).

One of the areas where we get gypped slightly is in the number of days in schools.
Undergrads get 80 days spread out over 4 years. We get about 60 days required for registration, but we also spend 5 days in a school to plan, something the undergrads DON'T get. My 5 days in a school to plan are coming up soon. I have heard that this placement will be in a mainstream environment, while the second one will be in a special education environment, whether that be a special unit or special class.

So for anyone who's done a teaching placement, I need help! Mostly, in a few areas:

-I've been told to dress "conservatively" for placement, although I'm not 100% sure about what's conservative for little kids. I don't want to look too intimidating in front of them dressing in all black, so anything I should avoid? (for the record, I don't dress like a hooker anyway )

-I have requested that I don't be placed in a religious school as it's incompatible with my own beliefs. If I DO get placed in a school like this, how can I try and make the experience as smooth as possible? (they aren't obviously going to stick me in the Muslim school)

-Any other general tips to make the experience smooth?

I should find out in a few weeks where I'm going to be allocated and I'm hoping for an alternative education environment, because I would like to see how the needs of special education children are met in those environments (if they are met) as well as adapt them for my own usage.

[Chanlin]

About to go into my final round of student teaching for my Bachelor's myself

For dress: Business casual is always good for a good first impression. Once you know what school you will be at see if they have a handbook on their website or contact your mentor teacher and ask for one. Most schools have an employee dress code. Also, if they have a dress down day, don't. At least that is what my uni requires since it sets a good impression

That said: Find and read the student handbook -- This should help if you end up at a religious school. Find out where its ok to park.

The two people in the building (or groups of people) you want to be your best friends are the secretaries and the janitors. (advice from my dad who is just now retiring after 35 years teaching).

Ask you mentor teacher for any materials or advice as well. I can't tell you how much easier it made my lesson planning when my second mentor teacher handed me all of the materials he collected over the years while saying "This is the one thing I wish someone had done for me."

I have a folder (computer not paper) full of useful stuff for the English classroom.

I may post more as I think of it, right now my brain is mostly asleep

If you have a Student ID of some kind get one of those lanyard plastic card holder dealies to wear it around your neck. Find out from your school if it is an acceptable replacement for their visitors badge. Makes the sign in and sign out process much smoother if they will allow it.

[fireheart]

About to go into my final round of student teaching for my Bachelor's myself

For dress: Business casual is always good for a good first impression. Once you know what school you will be at see if they have a handbook on their website or contact your mentor teacher and ask for one. Most schools have an employee dress code. Also, if they have a dress down day, don't. At least that is what my uni requires since it sets a good impression

That said: Find and read the student handbook -- This should help if you end up at a religious school. Find out where its ok to park.

The two people in the building (or groups of people) you want to be your best friends are the secretaries and the janitors. (advice from my dad who is just now retiring after 35 years teaching).

Ask you mentor teacher for any materials or advice as well. I can't tell you how much easier it made my lesson planning when my second mentor teacher handed me all of the materials he collected over the years while saying "This is the one thing I wish someone had done for me."

I have a folder (computer not paper) full of useful stuff for the English classroom.

I may post more as I think of it, right now my brain is mostly asleep

If you have a Student ID of some kind get one of those lanyard plastic card holder dealies to wear it around your neck. Find out from your school if it is an acceptable replacement for their visitors badge. Makes the sign in and sign out process much smoother if they will allow it.

OK, define business casual. So maybe a black skirt and a nice top?

Public schools here are run by the education department, so I'll give them a buzz as far as clothing goes. I don't want to be too overdressed as far as primary school students go.

From my experience, the schools generally have their set parking for staff, but I'll find out if I fall into this category or if I am treated as a "visitor".

I will definitely try and make an effort with the SSO's (support services staff) and the groundskeepers (they aren't Scottish).

I'll see what my teacher can dig up for me in terms of supplies. I'm already starting to build a little library of my own and for Christmas, I am requesting teaching books .

In regards to the ID methods, we are required to actually get namebadges ourselves (I still have yet to do mine and I need to do it soon!) but I will take along my ID card anyway. It's always in my wallet.

Thanks for the advice though!

[Riesie]

If you're in a class that's likely to have 'carpet time', where you'll be sitting on a chair and the kids will be in front of you, don't where anything that falls above your knee. I volunteer in a Y1 classroom, that was recently used to interview prospective staff, and one of the women turned up in a knee length skirt that looked great when she was standing, but that all the kids could see up and that she kept fiddling with for carpet time. I'd go with comfy black trousers, that allow you to put yourself on a level with the kids without worrying.

[Chanlin]

Below the knees* skirt or slacks, nice blouse, button down shirt or sweater. -- I recall my mom who worked as a special education aide for a few years was told not to wear much in the way of jewelry more for her own protection than anything since some of the kids can be grabby.

http://smallbusiness.chron.com/diffe...ire-23682.html

And oh yeah, comfy shoes. Teachers are on their feet most of the day. And a water bottle helps a lot too since you tend to be talking all day.

*this one is not as important, but will be MUCH more important depending on if you end up at a religious school or not. I know some of the catholic schools in my area do not allow women teachers to wear slacks.

[houdini]

If you're worried about dress code, go over-dressed for the first day, and then you can always be more casual when you see what everyone else wears: if you wear a suit and shirt (and be able to take the jacket off) then you've made a good impression. Don't worry about being seen as stuffy or overdressed - it would be your attitude on your first day that would make your clothes fit (ie. don't worry about getting your knees dirty when kneeling to help a child!).

But call the place when you know where you're going - if someone can give you advice ahead of time, then that saves the worry.

[fireheart]

Thanks for the help guys.

I suspect that my planning days will allow me to get a better idea of what I should be wearing. I'll find out my Year Level and school soon. When I do, I'm going to arrange a tour with the principal and speak to him/her about a few things, so dress should be on the list.

The Waldorf and Montessori schools I've looked at both have parent handbooks, so I've been using those as a general guide to dress should I end up there (according to the placement co-ordinator at the uni, the Waldorf schools in my state do take on students, the Montessori schools not so much). Generally the rules there are no labels/licensed characters, no fluro and no black.

Guess it's a good excuse to go clothes shopping now! (I do already have a skirt and a few tops that should be suitable, as well as a dress, but I kinda want more long skirts)

[wolfie]

If you have a Student ID of some kind get one of those lanyard plastic card holder dealies to wear it around your neck.

If you get a lanyard card holder, bear in mind that there are 2 kinds: some (and I don't see how it's still legal to manufacture and distribute them) are a simple lanyard, while others have a breakaway device (i.e. if it gets caught on something or a bratty student grabs it and pulls, a fastener will separate so you don't get strangled). Be sure to get one with the breakaway.

[fireheart]

So I got allocated my placement. I am out at a Waldorf school.

So....what should I expect?

[Raveni]

Which grades? Waldorf elementary schools are a lot more... artistic at the younger grades.

[fireheart]

No idea at this stage. I'm going to email them and see if I can arrange to come in on a day well before I'm due out at the school to give me an idea of how long the drive will take, where to park and finding my way around the school.

[42_42_42]

Had never heard of Waldorf schooling before. Just scanned through the wikipedia article on it. Sounds very interesting. Wish we had one where I live as the theory behind them seems wonderful. Looks like you'll be doing a lot of moving around during the day. I'd wear slacks and a blouse and nice, but comfy shoes.

[fireheart]

OK, so here's the things that I was able to clarify today:

Dress Code: generally trying to model the students. So the student dress code applies to me as well (not an issue). Unlike most Steiner schools, where black=evil, this school understands that some items of clothing ONLY come in black for kids (i.e. tights) and just say a "miniimum" of black. The principal this morning had black pants on and the teacher of the class I'll be with had on a sweatshirt, jeans, a black apron and steel-caps

Parking: Again not a problem, they're quite happy for me to use the staff car park without needing a pass or permit or anything. The school is sort of "off the beaten track".

Classroom: I am with Class 3 (which is roughly Year 4). Although because said teacher is due to be a daddy , we may end up with me doing half my placement in Class 3 and half my placement in another class. I am going to bring this up with my co-ordinator. At least the students can read!

Other things I discovered:

-Teachers are addressed by their first name.
-The sick room is called the "Wellness" room.
-There is no canteen on site, but if I need food and forgot to bring my own, there's a bakery up the road.

[Chanlin]

4

-Teachers are addressed by their first name.

The elementary my dad teaches at does this. Kids address teachers/staff as Mr. Or Miss [first name]

[fireheart]

The elementary my dad teaches at does this. Kids address teachers/staff as Mr. Or Miss [first name]

They don't even use the "Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms" at this school.

I haven't noticed the respect for the kids drop one iota though around the teacher, although it could be because they stay with the same teacher from Class 1 to Class 7. Instead of the students switching around classrooms each year and the teacher mostly staying in the one spot, the students AND teacher move from room to room.

I should add as well, for the Kindy and Classes 1-4, the rooms are sort of built "Yurt" style, so each class has their own building, rather than being joined together.

The class I'll be with is doing Old Testament stories at the current moment, from the cultural perspective, so the teacher refers to God as "Yahweh" in their "main lesson" (which runs for around 2 hours every morning and covers a particular topic). On top of that, the school allows for a lot more risk-taking, so kids can climb trees and run around in the bushes

Now I'm going to get myself a wool dress for the prac later on in the year (chuck it on over some tights and I'm all set)