Blog Post 7

Since having Spring Break this past week and preparing to return to the classroom for four more weeks of student teaching, I’ve planned some short social studies and science units for the class. Next week we are going to discuss the life cycle of a butterfly and grow a live butterfly garden. The following week we are going to explore the regions of the United States and the students are going to write an essay about the state of their choice. I also asked the students about what they’d be interested in studying and a few of the mentioned Mythology. So I’m planning on teaching a short unit on some mythological characters as well.  I’m also hoping to spend more attention on what the other students in the class are working on with their aides and not just the older kids in front. Managing this classroom is a huge exercise in multi-tasking that is challenging to try to undertake in a short 7 weeks. 

I have grown in many ways while student teaching, but my greatest progress has been made personally. Transitioning from an adult student to an everyday classroom teaching situation was very daunting to me. Despite the changes and challenges it has brought to my family life, I have enjoyed and learned so much through both placement experiences. I’ve met some great educators in both placements that are great examples of dedication to their students and their achievement. Plus, it has been a lot of fun. I definitely am looking forward to what a career in teaching will bring to my future. 

I am excited to meet with the alumni panel in the upcoming weeks. Most of my questions are regarding their job search post student teaching. I would also like to know if they felt prepared for their first job experience and what were some of their challenges along the way. My biggest support through student teaching has been talking with my classmates through our anxiety, and our ups and downs. To be honest, I mostly hope to hear some success stories from the alumni panel about coming out on the other side of going back to college as an adult and finding out that all the time, energy, and money spend on going back was all worth it. 

The students I’ve met have been my favorite part of student teaching. I love that whatever home or life situation a student is coming from, that they can come to school and be treated with respect and care as they grow and learn. I also appreciate that the students are so welcoming to a student teacher in their classroom. Although I am sure as a teacher I will get to experience student excitement again, I will miss their enthusiasm for trying new interactive activities in class. For example, in my last placement, when we played jeopardy or other games, the students were so engaged and motivated. I hope I am able to remember to always try to create these types of moments for students in between all the expectations and requirements that we must accomplish.

I am excited for these last few weeks of student teaching. Now that I have pretty much completed my edTPA project and passed my APT test, I look forward to concentrating on planning some fun lessons and getting the most out of this placement experience. My cooperating teacher has planned a few activities for the students, including going to see a play at the high school, as well as an IEP meeting, so I am looking forward to those things. I also need to focus some time on job searching, so any advice I can obtain on that would be beneficial.