Alisha Reeve MUSE 376 Choral Methods Citation Directing the Choral Music Program Chapter 21: Planning

g for Success Kenneth H. Phillips 2004 This final chapter delves into the final step that a music educator student takes: student teaching. Phillips discusses the five basic issues that affect the quality of the student teaching experience. These issues are, the student teacher, the school site, the cooperating teacher, interpersonal relationships, and the process of student teaching. All of these can greatly impact whether or not a student teaching experience will be positive and beneficial to all involved. First, the student teacher must be open to new experiences, and be aware that this is not their classroom and not everything is going to be run as they might wish. Second, the school site might not have all of the resources a student teacher might hope for and is used to. This means they will have to adapt and teach within the means provided. Likely this will involve getting creative. Third, the student teacher must be aware that the cooperating teacher may not have the best attitude towards student teachers or even teaching in general. Fourth, interpersonal relationships and communication are very important. Student teachers must keep in contact with not only the cooperating teacher, but also their university contact, and other music educators at their school. Finally, student teachers must be aware that the process doesnt always go as planned and they must be flexible. To me all of these things are very important to remember as we begin to think about student teaching. Of course we all have our own ideas of what a music

education classroom should look like and often that differs from others. We need to be open and positive going into this experience so that we can be successful. We also need to be open to many jobs as we complete the process. It is very likely we might have to move to make the job hunt successful.