I am an 8th grade student teacher in a middle school setting and I have 2 classes throughout the day that are labeled inclusion classrooms. I have a Math classroom that has not had a “real” teacher all year and my cooperating teacher has been that for them for quite sometime. Now after my first week here the school hires a regular math teacher to be in the classroom the rest of the year. This teacher is very controlling and has taken over the classroom to the way she thinks it should be. The most that my cooperating teacher does is read to them and walk around and help all of the students, kind of like a teaching assistant. I am supposed to take over the duties of my cooperating teacher. But what do I do when my cooperating teacher doesn’t do anything. I need help with how I should approach the subject with the new controlling teacher and what should my duties in this classroom be so that I can tell her that these should be my duties. Please help I don’t know what to do.
Student Teacher in need of help!!
Definitely have a meeting with the general ed. teacher to discuss any ideas that you might have. Exhibit self confidence, but try not to come across as too head strong. Show that you want to work with her, and offer suggestions for how you believe that all students will be able to learn in the classroom environment. She may be trying to establish herself and gain classroom management. My guess is that her “controlling” nature will ease up a bit once the students get to know her and begin to have respect for her if they see that she is fair and consistent. It is hard coming into a classroom in the middle of the year. But definitely have the meeting with her and let her know you really want to work WITH her, offering your suggestions.
All you have to do is approach the teacher respectfully. Let her know that you have a job to perform and would like to do so with her permission and blessings.
Do not try to turn over her apple cart!