As the semester comes to an end I am left feeling dismal about leaving my students. Every student has left his or her footprint on my heart and I know I will never be the same. This semester has taught me so much about my future as an educator.
For the last six weeks I have been in a 3rd grade classroom with extremely bright students. My SBTE taught me a lot about patience and the beauty of teaching. Although it is 3rd grade, and the students are nervous about the upcoming TAKS test, the class ran smoothly. One of the most important lessons I learned is that just because a classroom is somewhat noisy does not mean the students are not learning. Before, I was so consumed with keeping students quiet that I forgot how much students can learn even while talking amongst each other. My observed lesson also went well due to the students' cooperativeness. I realize that I can create an effective and creative lesson plan where students will be engaged.
The semester as a whole was more than I could have hoped for. I learned that all of the classes I took in Quest 1 did not prepare me for Quest 2. Experience is key in being a successful educator. I have also learned a lot about pedagogy this semester such as different classroom management techniques, how to integrate material, how to connect with the students, etc. One of the greatest classroom management tools is having the students "get their wiggles out" by playing random children's songs and having them dance around for a minute or two. By far, this is the teacher strategy that stands out the most in my mind.
When revisiting my professional attributes I notice that the attribute I previously said I struggle with, creativity, I now feel more confident in. After my observed lesson plan, and my Inquiry #3, I realized that I can create lesson plans that are fun, educational, and engaging. On the other hand, I still do not feel confident teaching technology. I did not have enough practice with technology this semester and I hope next semester will be a different story. I have made a promise to myself that I will make it a point to use more technology next semester, and in my future classrooms. Although I have this setback, I still believe I progressed so much this semester and I cannot wait for the rest of my teaching career.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Monday, October 13, 2008
Teaching Blog: Midterm Reflection
It is reflection week and I am exhausted. Quest 2 has been as stressful as I thought it would be and my mind is ready for a break. Even though there have been obstacles, such as a hurricane, I still look back at these last six weeks as monumental in my future as a teacher.
I have learned so much over the last six weeks that I do not even know where to start. First, I learned a lot about classroom management from my SBTE and how it begins from day one. This 1st grade classroom is so well behaved that one would not think they were in a 1st grade classroom. Some of the teacher’s tips are: having a “student teacher” every day that is in charge of classroom management including passing out papers, requiring the students to always push in their chairs and put away their backpacks, having the students raise their hands in either an “r” shape or “w” shape for restrooms and water, and many other great ideas. Next, I learned a lot about how to teach a lesson to different ability levels. Because this 1st grade classroom consists of 5 GT, 4 special needs, and 9 general education students, I was forced to learn how to teach to these different students. Some of my lessons had to be modified for the individual students such as adding activities for the GT students, or shortening the lesson for the students with special needs. Although challenging, I feel blessed to have been able to be a part of this classroom.
All classrooms have challenges and this experience is no different. The first obvious challenge is Hurricane Ike. Due to the hurricane, I missed a week of class and time became an issue. Instead of 6 weeks with the students I only had 5 weeks and lessons still had to be taught. The students themselves fell behind and yet testing had to be completed. I handled this situation the best I could by focusing and trying to help the students get back on track. In the end, it all worked out and I taught 6 lessons. Another challenge is teaching to a mixed ability classroom. Before this experience, I was a proponent for inclusion. Now, I realize that teaching to a mixed abilities classroom is too difficult and almost detrimental to the other students. For instance, a child in my classroom is emotionally disturbed and requires the majority of the teacher’s time. While she is helping said student, the other students are left to fend for themselves. Again, I feel blessed to have been able to work with these students although it is trying.
I am looking forward to the remainder of the semester with an upper grade. I am hoping to feel more comfortable teaching a lesson. I am also hoping to use technology in my lessons due to the fact that I did not use any this previous 6 weeks. The professional attributes I struggled with in the first reflection have not been accomplished so I am optimistic that I will reach these goals during the next 6 weeks.
I have learned so much over the last six weeks that I do not even know where to start. First, I learned a lot about classroom management from my SBTE and how it begins from day one. This 1st grade classroom is so well behaved that one would not think they were in a 1st grade classroom. Some of the teacher’s tips are: having a “student teacher” every day that is in charge of classroom management including passing out papers, requiring the students to always push in their chairs and put away their backpacks, having the students raise their hands in either an “r” shape or “w” shape for restrooms and water, and many other great ideas. Next, I learned a lot about how to teach a lesson to different ability levels. Because this 1st grade classroom consists of 5 GT, 4 special needs, and 9 general education students, I was forced to learn how to teach to these different students. Some of my lessons had to be modified for the individual students such as adding activities for the GT students, or shortening the lesson for the students with special needs. Although challenging, I feel blessed to have been able to be a part of this classroom.
All classrooms have challenges and this experience is no different. The first obvious challenge is Hurricane Ike. Due to the hurricane, I missed a week of class and time became an issue. Instead of 6 weeks with the students I only had 5 weeks and lessons still had to be taught. The students themselves fell behind and yet testing had to be completed. I handled this situation the best I could by focusing and trying to help the students get back on track. In the end, it all worked out and I taught 6 lessons. Another challenge is teaching to a mixed ability classroom. Before this experience, I was a proponent for inclusion. Now, I realize that teaching to a mixed abilities classroom is too difficult and almost detrimental to the other students. For instance, a child in my classroom is emotionally disturbed and requires the majority of the teacher’s time. While she is helping said student, the other students are left to fend for themselves. Again, I feel blessed to have been able to work with these students although it is trying.
I am looking forward to the remainder of the semester with an upper grade. I am hoping to feel more comfortable teaching a lesson. I am also hoping to use technology in my lessons due to the fact that I did not use any this previous 6 weeks. The professional attributes I struggled with in the first reflection have not been accomplished so I am optimistic that I will reach these goals during the next 6 weeks.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Hurricane Ike Aftermath
The devastation is felt citywide from this massive hurricane. Many friends and family members are without power, food, fuel, and hope. Learning to live without the security and comfort of running to the grocery store or gas station has been trying. Every day there is more semblance of normalcy as grocery stores and restaurants re-open and electricity comes on.
But what about the youth of Houston? How are they handling the devastation and the time off from school? The streets are filled with children who are trying to entertain themselves and who are trying to not focus on the disaster that struck their city. What they don't understand is they are living a piece of history right now as Ike aftermath is resolved. Hopefully, the schools will regenerate power and clean up the school grounds so that these children can feel secure again.
But what about the youth of Houston? How are they handling the devastation and the time off from school? The streets are filled with children who are trying to entertain themselves and who are trying to not focus on the disaster that struck their city. What they don't understand is they are living a piece of history right now as Ike aftermath is resolved. Hopefully, the schools will regenerate power and clean up the school grounds so that these children can feel secure again.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Teaching Blog: Beginning Reflection
Quest 2, the semester I have feared for months, is here and already my heart is pounding and my palms are sweaty. Luckily, I have a strong support team in the form of friends and professors to help get me through the semester. In reflecting upon professional attributes that I hold and some that need improvement I wonder, will I ever be able to become the teacher I strive to be?
First of all, I would like to discuss my strong points because I feel that those are the characteristics that keep me on the path to becoming an outstanding teacher. These attributes include demeanor, responsibility, maturity, cooperation, appearance, patience, with-it-ness, but most importantly, enthusiasm! My enthusiasm is what most people notice about me and I feel that this enthusiasm is what is going to keep my students interested in the topic I am presenting to them. The teachers I remember from elementary school were those teachers who were enthusiastic.
I also have a couple weaknesses such as I struggle with technology and the use of it in my lesson plans. Because I am slightly older, I did not grow up with a computer and I did not become computer savvy until I was in high school making the idea of using a computer daunting at times. This also leads me to my other weakness creativity. I know that most teachers have to possess some sort of creativity, but I feel that my ideas are short of being creative and I lack confidence in those ideas.
On the whole, I am comfortable with the attributes I possess and I hope to build on the ones I lack. Quest 2, although challenging, will be a great experience because it will open my eyes to what it really means to be a teacher.
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