Estimated time required to complete module: 20 h
Practice shock
Before we move on, let’s pause to reflect on taking care of teaching stress.
Literature supports the fact that practice shock is a major contributor to the number of young teachers leaving the profession. (A number of these articles are included in the Reading and Resources section for you.) As a mentor teacher, you are in the ideal position to mentor student teachers on how to approach challenges in the classroom and working environment.
The student teacher often begins with an ideal teaching scenario embedded in their vision. Once inside a classroom, the reality may shake their foundation and, if not carefully mentored, demotivation can set in. Sharing your own experiences as a young teacher struggling to keep your head above water will help your student teacher be better prepared for what to expect in their first year of teaching.
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Mentoring on how to manage problematic and stressful situations may be one of most important contributions you make to the development of a student teacher. |