Student Teaching Experience Reflection
Here is the presentation of learning and exhibition.
Reflection and Thoughts for the Future
Crystal Hinds
Student Teacher Experience Reflection
August 2017 to December 2017
Silver Creek High School
Niwot Elementary
Entering into this pre-service experience I had no idea how much I was going to learn, about people, teaching and learning, time management and myself. My disposition has been, throughout my pre-service career, that I would teach high school and none other would fit well with me. I came into these placements not knowing what a modified choice classroom looked like or felt like, feeling less than confident in front of students and worried about remembering so many names with faces. I struggled with ideas for lessons and connecting them to the standards. I am growing as an educator and learner.
Growth is inherent to teaching, it is something that we do even when we are not looking. It does not happen overnight or in an instant but over time and with experience. Embracing this concept, is an opportunity to improve at every moment.
Thinking about some of the opportunities that I have created for my students, through choice, I have learned how I can incorporate choice in my classroom in many ways. Through materials, concepts, disciplines, collaboration, assessments and so much more. Learning to make decisions and solution finding are key skills in today’s world, choice in the classroom assists in developing critical thinkers and planners.
Working with students on a daily basis and for extended periods of time has really given me the opportunity to experience relationship building with my students and how that affects classroom management. Compared to entering the semester with a fresh group, setting up expectations at mid-semester was challenging; however, in my last week I could really see the results of my efforts. I have come to realize that while it is important to build those relationships right away, you cannot expect immediate and consistent results for some weeks. Learning to not lower your expectations, but being consistent and fair will yield the behaviors you require.
Thinking about all of the support that I received during the semester, through district and university professional development seminars, mentor collaborations, college coach conversations, and staff at each school I see that there is an inclusive and supportive community within education. I am excited to be part of this community of educators and learners and look forward to the journey ahead.
Thinking back on my management strategies and experiences of the semester I pause on a situation with a learner that makes me question what else I could have done to make that learner’s experience a much better one. This learner struggled with outside issues that carried over into many parts of their life. Their presence in the classroom was one of disruption and rebellion, though my mentor and I executed engagement strategies, social justice, and relationship building strategies. This learner refused. Ultimately this learner was moved to another school due to family issues, but I feel like I could have done better in making their time there more enjoyable, rewarding and valuable. I look forward to learning more effective strategies for difficult learners and situations.
My three goals for my first year is to hone my skills as an educator in the areas of relationships/management, timing and ideation. I hope that I will inherit an organized classroom, but I also look forward to organizing in a way that makes sense to my learners.
Student Teacher Experience Reflection
August 2017 to December 2017
Silver Creek High School
Niwot Elementary
Entering into this pre-service experience I had no idea how much I was going to learn, about people, teaching and learning, time management and myself. My disposition has been, throughout my pre-service career, that I would teach high school and none other would fit well with me. I came into these placements not knowing what a modified choice classroom looked like or felt like, feeling less than confident in front of students and worried about remembering so many names with faces. I struggled with ideas for lessons and connecting them to the standards. I am growing as an educator and learner.
Growth is inherent to teaching, it is something that we do even when we are not looking. It does not happen overnight or in an instant but over time and with experience. Embracing this concept, is an opportunity to improve at every moment.
Thinking about some of the opportunities that I have created for my students, through choice, I have learned how I can incorporate choice in my classroom in many ways. Through materials, concepts, disciplines, collaboration, assessments and so much more. Learning to make decisions and solution finding are key skills in today’s world, choice in the classroom assists in developing critical thinkers and planners.
Working with students on a daily basis and for extended periods of time has really given me the opportunity to experience relationship building with my students and how that affects classroom management. Compared to entering the semester with a fresh group, setting up expectations at mid-semester was challenging; however, in my last week I could really see the results of my efforts. I have come to realize that while it is important to build those relationships right away, you cannot expect immediate and consistent results for some weeks. Learning to not lower your expectations, but being consistent and fair will yield the behaviors you require.
Thinking about all of the support that I received during the semester, through district and university professional development seminars, mentor collaborations, college coach conversations, and staff at each school I see that there is an inclusive and supportive community within education. I am excited to be part of this community of educators and learners and look forward to the journey ahead.
Thinking back on my management strategies and experiences of the semester I pause on a situation with a learner that makes me question what else I could have done to make that learner’s experience a much better one. This learner struggled with outside issues that carried over into many parts of their life. Their presence in the classroom was one of disruption and rebellion, though my mentor and I executed engagement strategies, social justice, and relationship building strategies. This learner refused. Ultimately this learner was moved to another school due to family issues, but I feel like I could have done better in making their time there more enjoyable, rewarding and valuable. I look forward to learning more effective strategies for difficult learners and situations.
My three goals for my first year is to hone my skills as an educator in the areas of relationships/management, timing and ideation. I hope that I will inherit an organized classroom, but I also look forward to organizing in a way that makes sense to my learners.
