After multiple weeks of teaching, you are now an insider in the teaching profession. Congratulations!
What are the most valuable things you have learned--about yourself, kids, pedagogy, teachers, systems, etc.? What was most surprising? As the title of this blog suggests, what is it that you discovered that you had no idea existed before? And how do these things impact the teaching identity you are cultivating? Parker Palmer talks about living an undivided life, in that your teaching identity and your social identity are "undivided" (pps. 173-178). In what ways does being a teacher now feel natural, and in what ways are you still learning to take on this new identity?
Back in August/September and even well into October, I was always afraid to "Step out of bounds". I did not want to make any HUGE decisions that I feared would drastically hinder student learning or the environment. It turned out, I was just a BIG worry-wart. I love my students and I love teaching. I constantly tell my folks at home and my friends that whenever I step in front of that classroom, I feel great and I love doing what I do! There are so many moments when I can comfortably converse with my students and even joke with them; they love hearing that I play video games and into Doctor Who. I, however, still take that role of teacher, someone who will tell a student when they're out of line and demonstrate the knowledge I gained over the years. They have told me to my face that they respect me and love having me as their teacher. I have been told I'm one of the best teacher/student teachers they've had in a while. Now, I'm sure they're saying a lot of it to flatter me, but there must be a little truth in what they say yes? I would like to hope so.
ReplyDeleteThere are some things I need to work on. For example, I always get nervous when another faculty member is in the room. I learn to block it out, but I still feel overly self-conscious about what I do and don't want to make a mistake in front of them. But, as we have seen, mistakes are OKAY and they happen. And I think I am doing better with that aspect than I was in September.
I am so grateful for this experience.
Also, I hope everyone had a safe and eventful holiday break!
I like how your comfort level has expanded, Danielle! Confidence comes in the doing and surviving, right? You have to earn it, and you have.
DeleteOne of the most valuable things I have learned over these last few months is that things don’t always go as planned and that’s okay. I am so used to planning, and over planning, but sometimes in a classroom you need to chuck your plans out the window and slow it down to tailor where your students are at. I have also noticed that sometimes your best classes happen when you are not following the plan. I still set the expectation as to what I want to accomplish within that class period, or several class periods, but the students know that as a class we can slow it down for further understanding.
ReplyDeleteAnother valuable thing I learned is that it is okay to be nervous. Like Danielle stated, I am very nervous when other teachers are within my classroom. I am nervous that maybe they are judging me or my teaching style. I have realized that all teachers, including veteran teachers, are nervous at times when being observed. I think it is okay to be nervous because it shows that you care. You care about your performance, and how that performance will help your students and their academic futures.
I had no idea that I would become so attached and protective of my students. I knew that I would build relationships with my students and miss them, but I did not think I would be this sad to see my time coming to an end. I am sad that I will not see how they will grow throughout their senior year. I have also noticed that I am very protective of my students. If I hear students, or faculty members, talking about one of my students I get upset. I know this sounds strange, well maybe not, but I take on a very motherly role with my students.
They are now "your" kids, Amanda. I felt the same way when I student-taught. Since they are seniors, you'll be able to go to their graduation, which will be very meaningful for you and for them. And I'm glad you're able to see the lesson plan as an essential framework, but that there are multiple ways to fill out that frame.
DeleteAs I'm sure we all have, I have learned a TON during these past few months. I think the most valuable lesson I have learned (and am continuing to learn) is that when teaching is fun for the teacher, learning is fun for the students. I had a class just earlier today that would not stop chatting -- this is a chronic issue they had. This led me to become essentially devoid of all emotion in an attempt for order. Though this mostly worked, it was no fun for me and the students did not respond well.
ReplyDeleteI am continuing to learn that a little humor goes a long way. I try to talk about myself once in a while in order to make a connection to students, and I also try to give the opportunities to talk about themselves and their experiences. Of course, there are a million reasons why that is valuable, but the way that I am constantly realizing is that it makes the classroom a much more comfortable -- and therefore, productive -- place.
I learned that I react to the systems around me, and sometimes to degrees that scare me and make me feel lost. I believe this will change (it has started to already) over time; especially as I gain experience.
DeleteI learned that the thing that gives me the strongest feeling of satisfaction is interactions with students; barring none. The interactions can be about a variety of issues; I can even be sharing difficult information with the student. I have learned to give frequent positive feedback to individual students and whole classes; it makes the difficult things easier to hear. Lately, being a teacher feels natural to me and I suspect it is because I have relaxed a bit with my students.
I have learned that kids do want to be challenged, and not just those students who traditionally find school rewarding.
Pedagogy is actually more interesting to study than I first thought. I find it most interesting when I am willing to overplan; it gives me a sense of empowerment because I see options for my time management
Jess, I too have found ways to humanize myself to my students, and felt the benefits. I love the idea that kids can be comfortable in my classroom, and I wonder what I have done when this magic happens. I agree that kids want to share something about themselves in this type of setting.
DeleteConnections are important to classroom management. Relationships are part of teaching, but somehow this very important fact gets glazed over in the emphasis on content, standards, etc. My CT always said, "You need to have more fun than the students" and I've tried to take that to heart.
DeleteCindy, it's fascinating that you are feeling the comfort of overplanning, whereas Amanda is at the point where she needs to back off. It shows how different teaching and personality styles can be, and still be wonderfully effective. I think it's great for teachers to have teachers with a variety of styles.
ReplyDeleteWell, we are approaching the final bend, the finish line, the zero in the countdown. The over-weight woman is standing ready in the wings for her aria to begin. In other words, the great journey that is student teaching is almost over.
ReplyDeleteIt has been a long road, one filled with a lot of learning. Back in August, there were a lot of things I did not know about teaching that I am aware of now. One big point is that I learned firsthand what goes into making a classroom function, not only on a day-by-day basis, but also overall. It is a combination of teacher, class, and school in general, that comes together through strenuous work.
I am a bit surprised by how “at home” I feel in my placement. When student teaching is over, there is a very significant chance that I will set off for school the following Monday at the same early hour, simply because it will feel like the “natural” thing to do. I like my students, I am comfortable with the faculty and staff – heck, I have had students who I have never taught talk to me in the hallways (both knowing my name, and not knowing it).
Like some previous posters have mentioned, there are definitely some nerves running around when other teachers are in the room. I have had a couple of school observations, with administrators observing me teach for part of a lesson (and once when outside delegates were brought in from the district). It is nerve-wracking. That being said, they were relatively painless, and the worst thing to come out of them was having to reassure my students that “no, I did not know they were coming. Yes, I would have told you beforehand. Yes, I will warn you if I get a heads-up next time.” They seemed as nervous as I was, which was another surprise for me. I guess that microscope feeling extends to everyone in the room.
Moving forward, there are definitely things I need to work on, to refine, and to become more fluid and fluent with. Mistakes happen, lessons are not always gold-medal worthy, and that is okay. Just try harder next time.
In summary, it has been quite the experience.