Getting to know the class

I had a late start with student teaching. To top it off, I started at a new school with a new set of students and a different grade level. Once my first week jitters were calmed, I set upon learning the students. This is not easy. I had the classes create name tags so I could learn their names to faces. I also, made a point to speak to students as much and whenever possible so I could get to know them. I didn't want to waste any more time without teaching, so with my Co-ops approval I began teaching after 4 days of observation. Honestly this is the best things I could have done, there is no way to learn how to teach other than teaching!. Somethings require us to just jump in and learn, teaching is most definitely one of them. My first lesson I was shaking and though it went terribly. I am sure it wasn't as bad as I thought because the students responded well to me. My co-op is an older guy and has seen many teaching "fads" come and go. He is not the biggest fan of group work, but he lets me do it as much as  want. I immediately facilitated group learning and the students loved it. Watching them work with each other also helped me identify which students can simply work and remain unfazed by working with their peers, while some are not only distracted, but distracting as well. I immediately started thinking of ways to remedy the situation. I know in he future I will have to set clear parameters ,that if not followed will lead to assigned groups.
After teaching my first class, I immediately felt more comfortable in the classroom, the subsequent lessons went better and better, The students continue to respond well to my style and personality. I really like the classes, they are great kids. Even the problem children, try as they might, respond well.

First week jitters

Like anything else, starting student teaching provoked a ridiculous amount of anxiety in me. I slept a total of one broken up hour of sleep the night before. I was so nervous because, for me, student teaching would not be an extension of what I experiences last semester. For me, Student teaching was going into the unknown all over again. Last semester I was placed in a 10th grade High School class. This time around, I was walking into an 8th grade English Language Arts class. To some, the two grades may not seem like much of a difference. I would venture to say those that say that are probably not teachers or parent. When it comes to adolescence, two years are as distanced as the United States is from China. They are world apart in terms of maturity and from a pedagogy standpoint, the students have different requirements academically. I had to go in with the mindset of everything being new and different so my mind could remain open to the necessary change.
From the minute I walked into my new school I had the best vibe. Unlike my previous host school, the people are incredibly friendly and welcoming. My cooperating teacher calmed weeks worth of anxiety in ten minutes. He is an indescribably down to earth guy. He made me feel like a welcomed guest in his classroom, not a burden that was thrust upon him. He immediately introduced me to the classed, unlike me previous coop who didn't introduce me for 3 weeks. It was just a night and day experience. I immediately felt the dread of student teaching dissipate. Dread was replaced with hope and excitement.