I Should Have Blogged About It: Student Teacher Gifts

Do you happen to take pictures of things around your classroom,  thinking you'd like to share on your blog, but do not get around to it?

I take pictures all the time, and by the time I am ready to post...  I do not think is good enough for a post, something else comes up, or I am terribly tired to do anything. 

For right now, I have decided that since I took lots of pictures, I will begin a series of things I wanted to share with you.  I am hoping you see something cool.

Let's begin with part one:

As you may remember, I was lucky enough to have (my first) a fantabulous student teacher.  Saying good bye was hard!  I am happy to report that we have become BFFs. I need friends, you guys!

I'd like to share with you how we said good bye to our student teacher.  

I purchased a plastic bin at Michael's.  I have a container like this one, which I use to carry my guided reading books from the book room to my classroom.  I wanted to get her something she could later use.  

I then created two cute covers to spice it up.

Fun paper, a box of blank cards, color pens, stickers, notepads, apple note pad, PTA goodies with our school mascot, and of course, a jar for some chocolate.

I did all the shopping and wrapped everything with tulle (bought her favorite color).  I wanted the kids to share their wisdom, so we created a book with advice on how to be the best teacher.  

As you can see crafts are a big deal in our classroom... and learning from me was truly the best advice :) 

I purchased a mini scrapbooking album and filled it up with goodies as well.

For the first page, I took a class picture. Then I took pictures of my student teacher with the kids. We did it by table, so we had 6 pictures at the end. 

I glued the pictures and then glued a small thank you note matching the kids pictures, so she'd remember them years from now.

The last for pages were filled with gift cards. 

We had cake (can't find the picture) and juice. I am pretty sure I ate about 3 slices of the cake.

I miss her. I miss her. I miss her. #maybeiwillgetluckyagain  #ilovemynewbff #studentteachertaughtmealot 

My First!

You read it right. She is my first. My first student teacher is here! I am beyond excited.

Two weeks ago I had the chance to visit her college, meet some of her wonderful professors, and listen to what is expected of my as her mentor teacher. Ms. M is wonderful. She was born to be a teacher.

While driving to her campus, memories of my student teaching experience began to come back to me. Back in the day, I was asked to pick three schools. I happened to be lucky enough to get my top choice.
I remember the nerves of the first day, meeting my mentor teachers and then the kids! I was placed in a first grade classroom for the first half of my placement. My teacher made me feel at home from day one. She let me create my own things and show her how much I wanted to be like her :)
My second placement was in a third grade classroom. It was honestly a bit more challenging, my cursive handwriting was not the greatest :) But my mentor teacher was top notch.
Both of my mentor teachers guided me and helped me with everything. I observed throughout the school. I attended all the meetings. I tried to be the modeled student teacher. I wanted nothing more, than to say thank you for allowing me to be in their classrooms.
I am still in touch with both of my mentor teachers. I love them and respect them...many years later.

This time is my time to pay it forward, so I began thinking about...

And this is how I tried to make her feel at home...

I made her a cute binder, wrote her a welcome note, got some goodies for her, and decorated her desk. Everyone in my building has two desks. I have always hated having an extra piece of furniture, but I am not allowed to get rid of it. It finally has a purpose!

She also received some desk supplies and other goodies are coming her way :)

Knowing that my babies will be taken care of is the best part of this progress. Now I just need to make sure I do my best to guide her through the process of my regular day to day adventures. I am also hoping to be the friend she turns to ten years from now.

Any advice? I want to make sure Ms. M. has an amazing experience with us. What is on your must list for student teachers?

Her binder turned out super cute. I included everything I thought could be helpful. I ended up creating this...

Find it HERE.

Find it HERE.

I'd love send two of you a copy of my binder. Leave me a comment with any suggestions/advice.  How can I be the best mentor teacher?  :)