Student reflecting
I started my practicum with the goal of successful completion, different learning opportunities and a positive experience. Each week I was faced with different challenges, and obstacles.
Each week, I overcame them which resulted in my growing as an individual, and as an educator.
I grow by learning that having everything planned does not mean everything goes according to the plan. I learned how to be adaptive, an how to embrace each challenge with a positive attitude. It soon became apparent that planning for an hour lesson, may result in a three day lesson. The Middle School interruptions were ones where it required adaptive teachers. One of the biggest growths I had was being flexible and going with the flow of the day. My day planners always looked different at the end of the week, then what I had originally planned.
I learned that no matter how bad a day has gone, the smiles on the students faces makes it all worth it, and you know that you are doing something right. Even if the lesson wasn’t as great in my mind, the reactions of my students meant that they enjoyed it, and to me that was what the most important factor.
I learned that the more effort you put into planning the lesson, the more engaged and excited students are. The extra effort put in by a teacher is defiantly noted by students. When it was a lab or demo day, students left with vibrant smiles and discussions that would carry throughout the bus ride home. In addition, they noticed the little things. Every time a new display board went up, or images were added to our photo wall, students enjoyed looking at them and would take pride in their classroom.
I learned that giving students responsibility for their learnings allows them to grow as individuals. Sometimes we do need to let go and trust that students can be successful on their own.
I learned that collaborating with other teachers will not only be beneficial for the students but also the teacher. Throughout the practicum I worked as a part of a team. I grow as a team player.
Reflecting
I learned that inclusion and building of a community takes time, effort and energy, however the end results are the best reward. It allows the class to function as a whole. I went into my practicum with the aim of having an inclusive classroom community to foster creativity and self regulation. Looking back at the ten weeks, I would have to say I did create a small community in my classroom, and I can only take the skills and improve them for my future classroom.
In addition, outside of my classroom, with the staff at Moody Middle School, I felt apart of their community. A staff that has a great relationship with one another results in a school that is one big community.
Overall, looking back on the ten weeks at Moody Middle School, I’d have to say I went in and was successful at completion, gaining lots of knowledge and having a positive experience. In addition, I was able to carry out what I had set to do, plus much more. If I had to narrow it down to one thing that I will always cherish from my practicum will be the gratitude from my students for my smile and positive attitude, which allowed them to smile and feel welcomed in the classroom each and everyday.
In the future I will continue to work as a part of a collaborative team, no matter what school or setting I am in. The collaboration allows for a community build in the school, which then can transfer to the classroom.
I will continue to foster a community and create units that are engaging and hands on for students. My aim is to do this with the students of my classroom. Asking for student input I found is the best way to make lessons engaging.
Lastly, I will continue to engage in Professional Development not only to collaborate with other teachers, but continue learning to enhance education. This will help me while I am on my continuos learning journey.