There’s this metaphor that keeps popping into my mind when I sit and reflect on my time in the classroom, and it encompasses and can be applied to pretty much everything I’ve encountered so far in my journey as a teacher candidate. Whenever I observe a situation, a student interaction (with work or with others), or consider my place in this wide world of education, the metaphor’s there in my mind, tugging at me and reminding me to be open and ready for anything. As I reflect on my first week of my two week practicum, the metaphor still rings true.
Throw a stone into a calm, still lake and watch the ripples flow forth, in all directions, predictable and totally random simultaneously. Cause and effect. Every action has a reaction. The thing is, we can predict that the ripples will appear, but where those ripples take us is where the unknown can throw us for a loop.
This week I watched this metaphor manifest in several ways.
First, by being present in the classroom every day rather than once a week, I can really see the dynamics of the class shift based on which students are present. I watch the kiddos swarm the Lego table one day and then, when one single student is away the next day, the Lego table is left to stand alone in the corner. Only once has there been a day when the entire class is present, and boy was that an eye opener! I’m beginning to predict the ripples of certain students and that’s making me feel less like I’m lost in the woods and more like I’m exactly where I need to be.
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Second, I’ve been able to more keenly observe the actions and subsequent reactions of my students when it comes to how they handle change, ambiguity, and not getting their way. For example, I watched a student react destructively (kicking down toys others were playing with) with a smile on his face, but I knew the smile was a mask for his anger and frustration over not getting his way. The ripples he sends through the room are felt by everybody around him, and he’s beginning to notice that his peers are not impressed with the behaviour. I’m proud of them for being able to recognize behaviour that is not okay and to tailor their reactions to him accordingly, and also proud of that particular student because of the progress he’s made since I first met him six weeks ago. A month ago he would have been a runner, and I’d have to go find him. Now he’s at least showing us that he needs some guidance to get him where he needs to be. I know he’s capable, and it’s my job to help him get there.
https://instagram.com/p/9uJWDZPQvU/?taken-by=ms.bayne
Finally, I’m noticing the ripples of kindness and welcoming as we’ve had two additional students join the Savvy Shark Squad in the last two weeks. Starting at a new school is tough enough without having to do it in the middle of November, and the caring the rest of the Sharks have shown to these new students has filled my heart with hope and warmth. What a great bunch of kids I get to hang with every day!
Mostly, though, I’m excited about the ripples I’m making in my relationships with the students and staff at my school. Seeing me more regularly has helped them really understand that I am their teacher, and I’ve been granted more authority and respect by them because of that. I’ll still get down on the carpet and build a rad Marble Works tower, of course, and I have no qualms rocking their minds with my Rainbow Loom prowess. As I head into my second week and take more of a teaching role, I hope those ripples keep showing me the way.
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Go for it Lindsay. You show every day that you were meant to do this!