Each week, I feel like my CE's and I grow closer, and that is a wonderful thing experience! We work together professionally, but she can also be my friend. Our assistant was not at school Friday, so I had to help my CE with some things that I have never done before. Such as, check the students folders for notes from parents and help get the students AR points organized on their spreadsheet. Dr. Suttle had her meeting with my CE and I, and it went really well! Having this meeting with Dr. Suttle made the fact that I am student teaching in 2 months, so real! I learned a lot from our meeting, such as, ways to better prepare for student teaching while I am on Christmas break. The meeting with Dr. Suttle last almost an hour, so my CE did not get her usual planning period. My CE asked if I would take the students to lunch by myself Friday, so that she could stay in the room and work on lesson plans. I was a little nervous, but was super eager to take the kids to lunch for the first time by myself. We only had two little spills the whole time, which is pretty good considering my class! I had to make a little girl move her clip when we got back into the classroom, because she was acting up in the lunchroom. That was the first time I had to make a students move their clip, but they know the rules of the lunch room, so acting out is not acceptable. Other than that one discipline problem, my students were great! I really feel like my students are starting to see me more as their teacher, rather than just their friend. Which was a goal of mine at the beginning of the year. I had a student at the end of the day, come up to my desk and say, "Ms. Townsend, I just really love everything you do for me, and I love you." That made all the bad days before disappear, and brought back into view the reason that teaching is my passion and purpose in life.
This week I have been dealing with a lot of stress with a lot of different assignments and tests to to finish. At first, I honestly did not think I was going to make it out alive this week, but here I am and all the assignments were turned in on time and finished to the best of my ability! I have always been pretty great with time management throughout my entire college career, however, this semester seems to have tried to kick me when I’m down. I feel like I can never catch up, because of so many different assignments due. Now I can gladly say, that I see the light at the end of the tunnel. The semester is calming down a bit, and I can focus on my assignments more. What the little boy said to me Friday about how he loved me and appreciated me, really made me remember why I am doing what I am doing. I am so passionate about teaching, and I know that my purpose in life is to teach kids and love on them. I will push through the rest of this year with my head held high, and I know it will all be worth it. This week, I decided to research about how a bad day in the classroom will pass, even though I haven't had any bad days in the classroom so far! (knock on wood). I learned something important: don't concentrate on the lesson you planned to teach, but on the students. If you are determined to stick to you lesson plan, and it doesn't seem to be working—for whatever reason--you will become frustrated and, very likely, show that frustration in your tone of voice, facial expressions, and body language. You may very well end up blaming the students and punishing them. Unless they are completely cowed by your authority or a lot more mature than you are, they will react negatively, and that day's class session goes down the drain. It is far better to come into the classroom with a focus on the students: read their signals as you teach and react positively before thins get out of hand. For example, say, "It looks like we all need some music today" and play a tape, or, like Larry, break for a game. Then try again. As the students work, move slowly around the classroom to see how they are doing. If many seem to be off track, stop the class and explain or demonstrate in another way. This article was great for showing me that every teacher will have a bad day ever once in a while, but it is how we handle the situation after we get frustrated that matters the most.
This research ties to the NCPTS number two of teachers establish a respectful enviroment for a diverse population of students. We should all set a respectful enviroment for our students no matter the mood we are in that day. We should not take our frustrations out on our students, and should always always be respectful of each individual student. Below is the link to the article I researched.
http://blogs.edweek.org/teachers/classroom_qa_with_larry_ferlazzo/2013/11/response_the_first_step_is_admitting_our_frustration_is_real_and_valid.html
Amber,
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad your relationship with your CE is growing stronger. That can make or break your student teaching experience! I'm also glad you got to experience doing more "teacher" things, as my CE likes to call it. Lunchtime is always fun, and only 2 spills is not a bad record in my book! Keep up the good work, less than two months away!!
Amber,
ReplyDeleteI'm glad your tough week was brightened by the sweet words of a student. Thanks for sharing the article. Sometimes there are going to be bad days because well it's life, but how we handle bad days is what matters most. I really liked that you said our most important focus should be the students. Yes lessons are important, but making sure our students are comfortable and in an environment conducive for learning is most important.
Keep working! We're almost finished!
Amber,
ReplyDeleteI am excited to hear that your relationship is continuing to grow!! I think it is crucial when teaching to meet the students where they are at. The lesson plan can help prepare you for you instruction, but should not be the main focus of your attention. Always plan for the unexpected and have an open mindset when teaching. This is easier said than done, but is important to always remember. You are doing great this semester and are going to do awesome next semester!!!
It's awesome when you can form a trusting relationship with your CE. I feel really close to both my CE and her teacher's assistant. Like you, I had to spend a couple of days doing what the TA normally does, and you're right, the students start to see more of your authoritative role in the classroom when that happens. No worries, I think we all have been overwhelmed, but like you, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. We are almost done with our last semester of classes!! We can do this! :)
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