I actually just finished my student teaching program! The experience was one of the most overwhelming and wonderful things I have ever done, and I don't ever think I have grown so much before within a years time! All student teaching programs are different so I'm not exactly sure what your experience will be like, but I went through one of the most intense teaching programs within my state, so I'm coming from a bit of a "tough program" perspective.

I would say my greatest piece of advice is to take everything one day at a time, or one task at a time. I would often get extremely overwhelmed by all that I had to accomplish, but during the day you have to push everything else aside and give all of your attention to the kids (even if you have a ton to do). If working with kids is your passion, you will do great! You just have to remain focused on them- remember why you are doing all this work, and make sure to laugh at all the silly things they have to say each day, don't let the pressure ruin your time with them. I think talking with your peers whom are also going through the program with you can be a great stress relief, no one else can understand all you are going through quite as well as them!

Feel free to message me with any teacher questions, or if you need to vent at all, I've been there! :P

You will do wonderful! :)

I'm not a certified teacher but I have done some substitute teaching and I've been teaching informal art classes for the past year or so. I've taught high school students, adults, and children. I get less nervous about young kids because I guess I feel like they will just go along with whatever you have to say and they haven't learned to hate school yet.

I did teach a class through a university about a month ago and I was stressed out about it for months. I ended up using some cognitive behavioral therapy techniques to get me through it. Basically, I trained myself to accept that the worst case scenario was unlikely. In fact, in writing down my worst-case fear, I realized how ridiculous it was. I imagined that I was tongue-tied, and nobody could understand me, that all the students were hostile and that they eventually revolt and want their money back. You might want to try doing that exercise.

In the end, the more you face your fears, the less power they have over you. If you just get through the first couple of student teaching sessions, it will get much easier from there. Good luck!

Thank you both for your responses!

Howlovely23, taking it one thing at a time is great advice and that is something I will definitely need to remember to do. I tend to look at all of my work together as one big picture and that never ends up putting me in a good place. I actually spent a lot of time over the last semester working on focusing on one thing at a time and it definitely did help to reduce the stress when I did that. I appreciate you being willing to help, I'll definitely take you up on that if I ever need to :)

JudyFZ, thank you, that is another good suggestion. Although I'm not completely.sure what specifically I'm afraid of, I guess figuring that out could be very beneficial. I know that I'm afraid of making a mistake. I also know that it's ok to make mistakes, but it really stresses me out when I'm wrong or don't know something. I think part of what is tied to making a mistake is that I'm afraid if judgement from the cooperating teacher if I do something wrong. I guess that shouldn't really be a fear, because I know she is there to help me and teach me. That fear of being judged has been a problem for me especially in relation to answering questions and participating in classes which kind of ties along with student teaching. I guess this is something I'm going to need to work on getting past.

Thanks for your advice, you have me great things to think about!

Just a quick point that I learned when I was student teaching: Some of the mistakes turn into great lessons. I think the kids learn too when let's say a science experiment or project you plan doesn't turn out right. It is fun to figure out why sometimes with them. I am going back into teaching after staying home to raise my children for a few years, so I am getting a very general anxiety about that. Just remember that you have been trained for this and that it is something that you want to do. I hope your experience will be a great one, and even if it is not, just remember this is just a step or moment in your time.

Mae, as to your point about fearing judgement by the student teacher, just remember they were in your shoes once. I haven't met a teacher who wasn't nervous when they first started.

I'm sure you will do just fine. If you make a mistake, just roll with it. Try to learn from the experience and then let it go. The whole reason for student teaching is to learn and get some practice and guidance before you get thrown into it. If everyone was perfectly ready right out of school, we wouldn't need student teaching.

Hi! I retired from teaching in 2010--was an art teacher for 34 years. During that time I was diagnosed with anxiety/panic disorder. I can sooo relate to everything that has been posted here. To condense this: don't take it all so seriously, take time to enjoy your students, accept that you are not perfect and no one but you expects you to be! The most poignant thing that happened to me in my career....I broke out in laughter about something that happened, and a student looked at me and said, "You look so much better when you are smiling." It dawned on me that I did not spend much time smiling at all! That really shook me up, and I tried every day to find a reason to smile. Some days it did not happen that way...a couple of times I had to leave suddenly with panic attacks. But my principal and staff were very understanding. I learned to use breathing, take time outs, and focus on having fun. I hope you have as wonderful a career as I did. You can get through this and still be able to touch others and do what you love to do. I wish you all the best!!!!!!

Thanks everyone. You are all giving me such great things to consider. I am going to do my best to take everything that happens, whether I see it as good or bad, and make it into a learning experience. I guess because this is something I really love I just want to do well and for it to be a fun experience. I really am looking forward to student teaching because I know that I am going to learn so much.
I'm definitely still nervous and I'm sure I will continue to be nervous about it. One of the biggest things I think I need to remember is to have confidence in myself. I'm not always the best at that, but I'm realizing recently that my confidence in the area of teaching has actually improved a lot of this past school year. I used to really question my abilities to be a good teacher and I didn't feel like I could do it, but when I think about teaching now there is way more excitement than there is nervousness. Once it gets closer to student teaching time in the fall I'm definitely going to remind myself of all of the advice that I have received here and I'm going to do my best to have fun, learn, and be confident and accept that everything probably won't go as planned and to do my best to be okay with that and just learn from every experience.