It is your last semester at your school and it is time to take everything you have learned and "take over" a classroom. This is what they tell you:

"This will be your busiest semester. Don't plan on having a social life."
"You should not work during student teaching"
"You should only be focusing on your student teaching experience."
"Do whatever the teacher says."
"Learn as much as you can."

But how does any of this makes sense when you are not getting paid unless you are one of the few that get an internship. So how do you pay for bills (rent, food, etc.)? How are you supposed to remain sane if you do not have a social life? So much for friendships and significant others because they are not important and not a part of your teacher.

Student teaching is an important part of your college career. But how are we supposed to succeed when they do not give us the opportunity to? Student teaching should be just like an internship or co op for any other major--paid.

If everyone valued the work teachers put in and not having them be broke and have to drop out of school on their last semester because they cannot have a job AND student teach, the world would be a better place.

We need to rethink todays' value in education.

If you have the chance, make what you can out of the experience you get in student teaching. Learn what you can and do what you have to to make ends meet. Do not forget about yourself and taking time for you. Save up during the summer until it changes. You can do it--do not let them tell you what you can and cannot do.

Good luck future educator. You will do great!