This week I was observed for the first time as a Teacher Candidate and I am so happy to say it went well. Not only on paper but my relationship with the class and the students has grown drastically in the past five days compared to the beginning of the week. For example, one of the students in my class who battles with authority has helped me quiet down the class and even cheered me on at the end of my observed lesson! That moment was my favorite moment of the entire week. Hearing “You got this Miss Ramsey!” after my lesson was complete and I was being observed, not only made me feel great but it made me feel proud of the students.

This week I feel confident that the school I am at is where I am supposed to be this year. My FA can back me up on this; I’ve had an extremely emotional week with my student’s home-life situations. Each day I learn something new and each day I go home and think about how I can provide them with strategies and tools to succeed not only at school but at home as well. One thing I’ve incorporated into our classroom is the Mood Traffic Light that allows students to self-check and self-report on their headspace for that particular day. Students are allowed to move their names on the traffic light throughout the day. It has been quite successful so far!

I’ve learned a lot about myself in these past five days and I think the most important thing I’ve learned is how to really listen. I seem to be this magnetic for students to open up and tell me things about their lives at home or about their past. I haven’t asked them to tell me those things; they just seem to want me to get to know them. On one hand, it is great because I know they feel comfortable with me and I know they want me to know about certain events that have now made them who they are. However, on the other hand, I still feel so new at this that I feel a little overwhelmed right now. I don’t exactly know how to explain in words how rewarding and challenging this week has been. I am really excited about gaining knowledge and learning from my classroom and developing my understanding of my student’s emotions and unique home situations. I feel extremely grateful and honored to be Miss Ramsey in their classroom.