The Lincoln Log

Photo by Alexandra Tesoro

Students teaching students, that’s not fair! Or is it? The process of learning, namely that the experienced teach the inexperienced, has successfully created the world that we live in today. But does student teaching challenge this status quo? A student teacher is a student who is still in school studying to receive their degree to become an official teacher. They are simultaneously observing and teaching at schools to gain experience. The purpose of student teaching is to give potential teachers experience. Though this is not new, it carries controversy. The question of whether student teachers are qualified to do a “real” teachers’ job.

Choosing which student teachers are placed at Abraham Lincoln High School is not a decision that is taken lightly. Student teachers go through a rigorous selective process before being able to officially teach. The process begins with the department heads putting out notices about whether they would like a student teacher. These master teachers host the student teachers whose profiles they’ve approved. If they seem to be qualified and can get along with the master teacher, they will be chosen to teach a whole semester. The semester includes the development of a lesson plan between the master and student teacher, constant critiquing and conferencing between the two, and a final conference and discussion about grades.

Although the master and student teacher tend to work very closely, there are some disadvantages, on the student end, to having a student teacher. “Inexperience” is what Caitlin Morris, a current English student teacher said. “A master teacher usually has a lot more experience than a student teacher. Master teachers are more likely to be able to control the class, demand attention, and have stronger speaking skills.”

Typically, it is easier for a master teacher to gain respect and control over their classes than student teachers. Also, student teachers don’t know how to control thirty kids on their own. Secondly, master teachers are typically better prepared in their lesson plans. They have had time to improve and expand them. Master teachers have more solid-based lesson plans and a notion of how to schedule the year academically than a student teacher.

In contrast to their disadvantages, student teachers also bring a lot to the classroom. Many student teachers are usually very excited and open minded when coming in and teaching classes.

“They are able to connect more with the younger generation,” said freshman Carli Sperison, a student in Morris’ class. “We’re also learning the same thing and it’s not like she’s unprepared or not trying.”

“Veterans may be stuck in their ways,” said English Department head, Beverly Buchanan. “Student teachers bring ‘sincerity’ to the classroom.”

Having student teachers teach and give grades may seem a bit unfair. Some think that students are getting the short end of the stick. When asked whether she thought it was fair, Morris replied, “I know my students better than the master teachers because I spend so much time with them; it wouldn’t be fair for me to teach and grade their work without being able to give grades.”