TMATE - College of Education - Tarleton State University - Teaching, Internships, Certification, Curriculum and Instruction

Internship: Your First Year of Teaching

My mentor, Jana Weller, is the best mentor ever. She is supportive, encouraging, and passionate about teaching. I learned those strong attributes from her as well as some really good lessons.

Samantha Best, 2006-2007

What did I learn my first year? I think it should be more appropriately stated, "What did you NOT learn your first year of teaching?"

Heather Archer, 2007-2008

The first thing I did was to clean the floor because it was disgusting. Then I thought how can I make my class a positive environment where students feel welcome?

Rocky Fontaine, 2006-2007

I did not expect students who filled my classroom this year to have so many special needs. I now know that I have to reach within myself for insight and solutions I would never have imagined I possessed. I have learned strategies to get help to those students who simply cannot make it alone.

Cathy Carey, 2006-2007

My first year I learned that when students are excited about what they are doing, they really absorb knowledge.

Tess Fry, 2007-2008

intern year

The first year of teaching is a busy and challenging experience. During the year long internship, you will be

  • employed by the district
  • paid the same as any first year certified teacher
  •  eligible for benefits
  • reported as the teacher-of-record for retirement purposes
  • enrolled for 3 semester hours during both fall and spring semesters.

During your internship, you will teach your certification area for at least 60% of the day. You will be teaching using your content and classroom management knowledge, preparing for classes, grading papers, meeting many new people, dealing  with administrative responsibilities, and taking education courses.

Feeling overwhelmed is normal, but TMATE provides a support team whose members include a TMATE Supervisor and a mentor teacher. Your University appointed supervisor will regularly observe your teaching and provide constructive feedback. The district will appoint a mentor, a teacher recognized for his or her accomplishments, who will work with you every day, serve as a professional model and offer advice and guidance. Your school principal, will also supervise you and provide suggestions to enhance your development as a teacher.

You will be responsible for playing an active role in your development as a teacher. Working with your mentor, you will establish professional growth goals and evaluate your progress toward them during the school year. You will also keep a journal to record your thoughts and evaluations regarding teaching, student learning and classroom management. TMATE trained teachers become reflective professional educators who are able to build from their teaching experiences.