7 Top Tips and Advice for Teachers in College (from a Real Teacher)

[@monicaokungbowa4246]

I had a journal where I would write things I loved and things I disliked from various teacher’s classrooms. This helped me to design my classroom and remember the little things that make a difference!

[@monicarocha3263]

I am only in middle school. Michelle you have inspired me to be a teacher. Plus I love children.

[@rebekahspencer8622]

I am in my senior year of High School and I am going into teaching after I graduate. I am so excited to start college and get closer to my dream of becoming a teacher. Even though I am only in high school I already see the positive effects of tip #1, though my future educators class I am currently taking. This class allowed me to go to a local elementary school and help out for two hours twice a week, in the first year course. Now I am in my second year for the class and we are supposed to be at placement everyday, but because of COVID we can only go every other day. This class taught me classroom management, leadership, and helped me gain confidence. This experience is irreplaceable because of how much it taught me. I am so thankful for this class and the opportunity to be a teacher cadet. My passion for teaching has grown tremendously over the last two years and I can’t wait until I have my own classroom!!

[@mrsfed.4110]

Great advice as always Michelle. I am year 21, and I have often had student teachers. I encourage them to ask questions and go through my resources. Teaching in the beginning is a lot of begging, borrowing and stealing.

[@monchaletanderson7441]

I’ve been watch your videos since I was in high school and will be student teaching in the fall. Im so nervous, but your videos always ease my anxieties and make me so excited to get in the classroom!

[@rebeccanunemaker653]

YES!! I NEVER in a million years, wanted to teach 7th grade. I only wanted to teach the HS grades. Now I teach 7th grade (and 9th grade too!) and I LOVE IT! I couldn’t imagine anything different. Don’t limit yourself to what you think you want.

[@vanessac7390]

Nice! What is your concentration ?

[@Dora22tk]

This video was just in time. I start my observations at my field placement tomorrow. Thank you for reminding me to take pictures and start that classroom library. I start student teaching next Spring!!! I look forward to your next video.

[@madisonrhangauer8409]

I start my first student teaching placement next month so this is so helpful!!!

[@lillyrose4945]

When I did mine, I kind of observed the teacher saw her discipline tactics, and all that stuff. Then, I started taking over a bit (not over running the teacher of course)

[@lillyrose4945]

Good Luck!!!!! 👍😀

[@hannahlanell5024]

I’m student teaching right now and my mind is completely blown with all that I’m learning actually being in the classroom. Lesson planning and time management in particular are so different than what it feel like my college classes depicted.

[@lamw07]

I've been subbing for 3 years now, and it is amazing! I've leaned so much from being pk-5 grade classroom! I've also started a binder that has worksheets that I did with the kids.

[@jennavanderveen4476]

I cant wait to see next weeks video for student teachers! I've been watching your channel during my entire college career, you've helped encourage me and gave me great ideas! You are awesome :)

[@marysmemoriesinmotion8537]

I agree, it is really important to seek out opportunities to work with students. Real life experience is extremely important for this field 😊

[@marigangl8019]

Thank you so much for this video! I’m currently in college and am a dual special education/early childhood education major and could relate to this video more than I though! Thank you so much Michelle!

[@sarahpoe9503]

My cousin is in her senior year of college and is student teaching and has been reaching out to me about what to expect as a teacher, but I sent her this video because I think it’ll really help! She’s super nervous so thank you for making this!

[@rubycladdaugh]

As a veteran teacher, I echo everything that was shared in this video. The 7 tips were all spot on! I also ended up in an upper elementary classroom after having no desire to be teaching elementary. I thought I wanted to be a third grade teacher, but I taught sixth for a year and have been in fifth ever since then. I LOVE fifth graders.

[@carolinekelly3415]

Sweet!!! Thanks for the encouragement. I will put my positive pants on. Interesting tips about Teacher's College that I appreciate. I appreciate any guidance and mentoring.

[@walshdog61]

#8 Take a Chance and Buy Into Yourself. I’m from Michigan but am about to graduate this May - my dream is to teach in Central Florida and work at Disney part time as I teach. I’m taking that chance because I know that if it doesn’t work out, I can always move somewhere else and work with this teacher shortage.

[@naruxhinadesu2513]

I live in Central Florida! I’m also graduating this May and it is quite the trip being in my internship. What areas were you thinking of?

[@lillyrose4945]

Good luck!!!! Gkad you think of the community!!!! 👍👍😁😃

[@rachelloh173]

Thank you, Michelle. Am currently halfway through my teaching practical in my country (Singapore)! Your videos and podcast have been a great platform for me to remember to start this vocation well :’)

[@izzybizzy_____]

Despite living in another country this video was very helpful! :)

[@heidinicole1159]

Thank you for this!! I start student teaching for high school ELA on 2/16 (ahh!!), but I loved this video-- totally agree with quite a few points! I also think that asking any and all questions is SUPER important, especially since not knowing the answer impacts *someone else's* education. I definitely had to get over that, but I'm glad I did. There's also a lot of pressure sometimes to only do teacher-related things, but I think like you mentioned with your art class, it is important to spend time pre-student teaching also exploring your other passions. Chances are, it will make you a well-rounded candidate, and might even help you out in planning dynamic lessons! I know I've found that through doing theatre for the past 3.5 years. Looking forward to your student teaching advice! :)

[@jennydelise2871]

Ahhhh!! This video was SO helpful!! I loved it and am now going to work on starting my future classroom library as well!

[@SpringStargazer]

Omg you made a video for me. LOL Thank you! I am set to student teach next Spring. I'm doing the groundwork now classes you take leading up to it. Right now because of Covid we are REALLY restricted in the contact we have with students right now. They have us doing "alternative field experience" by watching YT videos of teachers teaching their lessons and writing reflections. I can't wait to have my own classroom. Thank you so much for the tips, especially how to build a classroom library.

[@russellpalatiere8852]

I’m sharing this video with my soon to be teacher friends who are in college right now!! I totally agree with all your tips! The one that stuck out most for me is investing in a classroom library!! I love reading. I feel like I have grown so much reading different books!! Reading for fun is so important and books that you have in your classroom library will entice your students to read more and evolve!! None of my teachers in elementary school had classroom libraries, so I was stuck with what our school library had (it got repetitive and boring very quickly let me tell you)!!

[@alexandrayoung8070]

Ditto on the read books. Take advantage of the research databases that your college has. After getting my first job I wanted to study up on a topic and I no longer had access to professional articles for free. I wish I had just printed a ton of articles or downloaded a bunch on different topics so I had something to pull from.

[@mersternguyen]

Good tips. I am doing student teaching in Fall 2021. Thank you, Michelle.

[@TheWaltonFamilyofThree]

Interesting to hear as a teacher from the UK!

[@debbiebissell6748]

Thank you so much for this video - I’m in my second to last semester (I start student teaching in the fall) and always looking for tips from those that have been through it 😊

[@bridgettehegarty7042]

Thank you for creating this! I am currently a junior elementary education major. I have already started saving books for a classroom library so I smiled when you shared that tip :)

[@alizesmama]

This is my first time watching any of your videos and you’re so helpful! I’m about halfway through college, and your tips were to the point, and also gave examples. Thanks a ton! Your new subscriber & future teacher-mate lol Steph

[@TheUniqueclassroom]

Yes this is real talk, I second you

[@CatherineAnnRoman707]

Even though I graduated in May I love this video and completely agree it’s some amazing advice! 👏🏼

[@kayagaffney5922]

Do you have any tips for students? I'm a middle school student and I love your videos, I find them super relaxing. I do full time virtual, so I basically teach myself and sometimes I find it hard to keep up with my work. I'm good at school, I just have trouble with motivation sometimes. Thanks so so much for the help and putting out amazing videos. ❤❤

[@abbyconway2242]

Hello! I have watched your video since 5th grade and I'm currently in 8th! I have ALWAYS wanted to be a teacher since I was in Kindergarten. I am currently part of a local group called "project 2025" to help young students work there way up to being a teacher, give us opportunity's to work with students and work in classrooms. I teach my younger sister that's in kindergarten, and I LOVE it. I love your videos and i am always writing down tips and tricks that you give. I am always picking up books just to have when i start teaching. I want to be a Kindergarten teacher. I go by the saying "Make the shy kid, talkative. Make the kid that hates school, love it. Show love and help as much as possible" You are my inspiration, Thank you!

[@amalialee4223]

I just started my student-teaching as well.

[@MsApallo]

Yes! I would also add see as MANY DIFFERENT teachers teach as possible. One of my top PD book recommendations is "Mindsets in the Classroom-Building a Growth Mindset Learning Community" by Mary Cay Ricci.

[@annwoodruff6383]

So many excellent tips! Thank you, Michelle.

[@KKANNET]

As a sophomore studying elementary education, thank you so much for making this video. I have already started a lot of these tips. Unfortunately, due to COVID, we are not allowed in schools for field observations. Those are being done through watching videos. I am thankful that I work at a daycare where my job is to work with the school age kids. These are great tips Michelle!

[@PetitChouPumpkin]

My undergrad isn’t in education! It’s in theater and media&com! I know that was super intriguing for a lot of places I applied to because it made me stand out, and schools were interested in what different perspective I offered! So just because you didn’t go to school for education, don’t let that stop you! After graduating I worked as an assistant teacher at a private school for two years, and during the day taught and at night got my masters. Plus my private school paid for a lot of my masters which was really nice.

[@kyleedinterman5887]

I am so happy you made this video. I am in high school and I have wanted to be a teacher my whole life. This video is so helpful.

[@angingxavier6741]

thank you. I enjoy your tips and tricks video so much especially your "favorites" video.

[@sanchezclaudia8620]

I’m already a veteran teacher but I wish someone had done a video when I was going to college!! FYI I will be a mentor next fall, any advice? Thanks

[@khanhfident]

So helpful, even for a non-education major in her final semester! 🎉

[@kaylaharden6593]

For your next video about student teaching, can you address how to avoid burning out as a student teacher? My friends and I who are student teaching this year already feel burnt out. We did 2 days a week in the fall and full time this semester (same class for the whole time). We have been 100% virtual but are starting an extended classroom this week. We are all wondering how we are going to make it until the end of March.

[@amandagracew]

I'm so excited for your next video! I'm in my student teaching right now :)

[@graciec8904]

This is so helpful! I’m in my second years of college and will have my associates of arts this May. Only two more years and I’ll have my bachelors in elementary education!♥️

[@esthern6320]

Thank you! Super helpful!!!

[@jadynostrowski2289]

When I was in eight grade I helped a first grade teacher with her students durning my study hall

[@AnaRuiz-cj4uq]

I loved the tips! Thank you Michelle!

[@daphneloustalet9792]

Honestly I would never become a school teacher (I don’t have the right traits for the job) but it’s nice to see where they are coming from. I always found it nice when I had a teacher that put their heart, soul, mind, and so much effort into the classroom. As a girl with a “disability” growing up (I was a straight A student with autism) I often faced teachers that did not understand the unique challenges that I faced growing up and was often overlooked in favor of more extroverted students because of my shy nature.

[@lexibiagi1739]

Hello! I am in my last semester student teaching (woohoo) in a third grade classroom and I will definitely watch next weeks video. I recently discovered your page because I LOVED the digital planner for the iPad but unfortunately, the digital planner no longer exists... is there something else you can recommend for iPad users? I have been trying to find a way to plan lessons and I always forget to bring my planner, but I never forget my iPad so I figured that would be best for me. Let me know if you have any recommendations - thank you!! Love your channel

[@emmaa.2157]

Can we possibly get a video on different teaching opportunities?? (Online, in-person, etc.?) I hadn’t realized there were so many opportunities until recently and I was wondering if you had any knowledge to share on that subject 🥰 thanks for your amazing videos!

[@BrielLu]

Can you make a video regarding how teaching is in USA? I'm a Spanish teacher but my lifelong dream is working in California. I'm seriously considering take the leap, but I'm afraid I won't be able because of teaching requirement. If you can do it, I'd really appreciate it!🤩😍🥰😘

[@abbiebruyere8738]

I am one of the founding members of my school's education liaison!! **Little note: If you would be interested in being a guest speak we would be so over the moon! We love you so much!

[@CuppiecakesxD]

Love this video!! Do you have any tips on challenging the Eurocentric education in America through a social justice lens/curriculum?

[@cassandraellis5806]

I’m in High School and I’ve wanted to be a teacher since I was in elementary school

[@ScottSullivanTV]

Just to let you know, since you plan on becoming a teacher, 'high school' is not a proper noun. It should not be capitalized.

[@cassandraellis5806]

@@ScottSullivanTV I know that I’m not sure why I did that 😅

[@stephaniearevalo7104]

When will there be a wedding video?

[@SocialStudies401]

I JUST posted my own video with Tips and Advice for Student Teachers! Here are some more ideas to add to your list! Advice #8-> I wish I knew that you have to have thick skin when dealing with parents. Advice #9--> In my first classroom I taught in, I cement walls and NOTHING would stick. The teachers in that building taught me to use a hot glue gun! It does amazing on cement!

[@up2dateSkills]

Hi, Michelle! This is great and I've been teaching for over a decade! Only 2 of my tutorials might be considered relevant, but I think they might both be useful for other fellow teachers creating digital resources: (1) how to create fillable PDFs for free; and (2) creating documents with free legally binding eSignatures 🎁. Wish you all the best and once again thank you for sharing!

[@mcsquared28]

I’m going to be student teaching next January and I’m terrified 😳

[@bobp1016]

Become a substitute teacher for at least a year. You get to experience every grade level and it will help you to learn what grade you will really enjoy teaching. I quickly learned that I love teaching first grade or kindergarten. Also, working as a substitute teacher will allow you to see how different teachers set up their classrooms. This can help you when it comes to setting up your own classroom. You can take photos of something a teacher did that you like or photos of books you like.

[@neeeeeeeeena]

I start my student teaching this fall! All classroom observation and volunteer opportunities got cancelled this year where I live due to COVID, so I’m just jumping right into student teaching and I’m so so so nervous

[@juliamoyer9]

Good luck!

[@neeeeeeeeena]

@@juliamoyer9 thank you! I’ll need it :)

[@delanahaney683]

Matt Miller does a ton of free pd over on Ditch that Textbook

[@paragonofplaypodcast6208]

Great tips- definitely hold on to the resources you make!! Even if you don't use the actual resource you might be able to draw inspiration from it. :)

[@adrian.agostinoactor770]

random question but did you ever watch One Tree Hill - haha I love your videos xx

[@amalialee4223]

My major is English but I am on my student teaching for elementary students.

[@kylielewis7543]

I am glad you made this video! I am planning on going to college in the near future! Do you know any popular colleges that I can attend? (I live in Florida) 💓

[@samanthag9450]

Just use some education in the colleges. That's what I would say.

[@marinettedupancheng8273]

I love your videos

[@SarahSquarah]

Do you know any youtubers who do similar content to you in the school counseling field??

[@marinettedupancheng8273]

I have teachers in my family and live with teachers! I am going to be a dog trainer/dog groomer.. when I was little, I wanted to be a teacher but now I older, I want to be a dog trainer

[@marinettedupancheng8273]

Somebody ; ) because I want too.. I live with teachers

[@marinettedupancheng8273]

Somebody ; ) I'm an all animal whisperer, natural dog trainer, natural equestrian, etc so that's why

[@marinettedupancheng8273]

Somebody ; ) I have autism, ADHD, anxiety, learning disabilities, etc so that's my job after I graduate high school in 2 years

[@meghanarena3704]

Hi Michelle! I am starting my teacher portfolio and resume, can I put professional development certifications on my resume?

[@BeckaStuff]

We are real teachers too.

[@delaneypdkearns]

I’m currently a senior in high school, and I’m taking college classes for credits in advance! I’m so excited for this fall. Thank you so much!😁

[@marinettedupancheng8273]

Early!!!!