So You Think You Can Teach ???????

I have completed my field experience in this school a year before this practicum, and recognized that the teacher I worked with had a lot of the qualities that I wanted to improve in myself. I knew I could learn a lot from her mentorship, so I requested, and was granted, a placement in her classroom.

My mentor teacher has been so accommodating and helpful throughout my entire student teaching experience. She’s given me invaluable advice on everything from effective lesson plans, extension activities, and student accommodations to planning field trips, filling out reporting cards, and working well with parents.

One pleasant surprise about my practicum experience is just how well I’ve been able to get to know the students. Like their “real” teacher, I’m with the students every day and have become familiar with their individual personalities and learning styles. I feel like I’m able to teach much more effectively than I could when implementing lessons during my field experience hours, when I was only in a classroom for a short period of time. The result has been a much more rewarding and meaningful experience. 

                                             

Observing her has helped me to feel more comfortable and has better prepared me to handle all the things that pop up in a regular day of teaching that you don’t get to experience in class sessions.

Overall, I couldn’t be happier with my practicum experience thus far. I was a little nervous that I’d feel like an intruder in another teacher’s classroom, but I was welcomed to her classroom and the school with open arms, and I really do feel like a member of staff. I’m learning a lot and am gaining the confidence I’ll need to manage my own class one day.

 I have learned so much in this experience as well; everything from the tricks to in chart making to how to effectively manage a class. Although I saw scared when my lecturers came to view me, I still use both negative and positive feedback. The lessons I have learned are endless and invaluable. The negative aspects of my field experience probably has to be frustration working the copy machine, getting sick from being around so many students all day long, and probably having to write a student a referral for inappropriate behavior. While these things were probably my least favorite parts of this experience, they are all necessary learning experiences.

There are several things I will need to do to be successful in my student teaching. First, I will have to be organized and prepared.  To do this I have to be diligent to prepare all of my lessons ahead of time, not procrastinate, and have several back up plans. Second, I need to ask questions and ask for help when I need it. I need to establish a good relationship with my collaborating teacher and other teaching mentors in order to be successful and be comfortable asking questions and asking for help. Finally, I need to establish a classroom environment where students feel comfortable to ask questions and participate but also listen to directions and actively participate. To do this I need to be enthusiastic about my teaching, be open to student comments and assist them when they need help. Overall, This has been an amazing experience and I hope my student teaching is just as exciting and rewarding.