Impressions of the beginning chemistry teacher

1. Impressions of the beginning chemistry teacher Vilnius Sholom Aleichem Secondary School Roman Voronovich Vilnius 2009

2. About the speaker Bachelor’s degree and chemistry teacher’s qualification were gained in Vilnius Pedagogical University in 2006; Master’s degree in chemistry was gained in VPU in 2008; Pedagogical career was started in Vilnius Sholom Aleichem Secondary School in 2008; It’s second year of being a chemistry teacher for me.

3. Training of chemistry teachers in VPU until 2008 • Bachelor: • 4 years of studies - different chemistry and social sciences courses • 2 months of teaching practice on the fourth year: • 10 Evaluative lessons • Psychological characteristics of two pupils • Evaluate pupils in your class and a chemistry classroom • Master: • 2 years of studies - deeper chemistry courses • 2 weeks of teaching practice on the second year: • Read one science popularizing lecture • Make a research 3

4. Main difficulties met in my work

5. The image of me as a teacher The image of a trainee does not correspond to image of a teacher

6. Too much social theories, too little social practice Studying pedagogical and psychological theories and methods was not useful, until I have seen when and where should I use them

7. Low knowledge of school’s chemistry course Learning for myself is not similar to learning for others

8. What should be done • Period of teaching practice should be vastly prolonged • The amount of social sciences courses should be reduced • Main aspects of school’s chemistry course should be stressed during studies at university

9. What is already changing From the year 2008 the pedagogical practice starts at the first year of studies in VPU

10. Thank you