Sink or Swim

I'm disheartened about something.....I heard through the grapevine that a mentor teacher told her student teacher to "sink or swim." I am thankful that my mentor teacher did not say that to me because I think that would really weigh heavily on my heart.  Especially since, as a teacher, would you EVER tell one of your students to "sink or swim"?  I don't think any decent teacher would say that to a student and, isn't a student teacher a student, too? 

I hope I remember these things if I ever take on a student teacher.  These students (I guess I'm talking about myself here) need encouragement and mentorship, not more challenges.  Trust me when I say that we get enough challenges...please LEAD us and TEACH us.  Just my two cents.