Has anyone needed to re-do student teaching or switch placements?

Yes. Unbeknownst to me my mentor had taken another job around the time she had taken me on, knowing she would be gone in September when I was to be finishing. After I left for the summer, a few days earlier than school ended (because I started a new job, and told her about well in advance), she blew up on my over email and I think tried to bait me to quit to solve her problem of having to tell me she wasn't coming back. She got her wish because I figure it is a bad idea to have a mentor that doesn't want you there. She must have talked shit about me or something because the principal didn't want to talk to me about a replacement either.

I've been working for 10+ years and would like to think of myself as pretty self aware. . . I did nothing to warrant this treatment. I often taught her class without supervision as she ran errands and did whatever else. I showed up on time and was professional. I had been an uncertified teacher prior and have always gotten solid feedback on my performance.

Anyway I only needed like 40 more hours so got placed in another classroom for 3 weeks. The mentor had nothing but praise for me at the end for how I handled it, getting the respect of the kids in such a short time etc, gives me a gift, says I am going to be a great teacher. Then flakes out on filling out my assessment and ends up holding up my certification for two months. Just goes completely AWOL until I call him and he is all friendly on the phone. Gives me the highest marks when he eventually submits the grade. Then goes AWOL again when it comes time to write LOR, despite saying he would. Honestly really turned me off to the profession, two awful people. I mean this dude can't even answer an email. Prima donna type stuff, I don't know what his problem is it is the biggest mystery of my professional career.

After that luckily I still got my first job - both of these people really screwed me over because a lot of places want your mentor's reference. My career has worked out great without them.

My advice is just to grin and bear it and get your cert. Try not to feel embarrassed, you just have to look forward and not carry any of that with you into your new classroom. Soon enough the requirements will be met and you will have your own classroom!

/r/Teachers Thread