I have been putting this off because I have wanted to write
about my complete experience in college, but it still has not sunk in yet. I still cannot believe that I am a college
graduate! Who knew that I was going to
make it to this point? There were some
moments where I did not think I was going to make it to the end, but I stuck
with it and pushed on and now I am done and I just don’t feel it yet. I think it is because I have been teaching
for 18 weeks and not on campus. I have
been in the field and not at school and the shock just is not there. Well, in this blog post, I want to hit on the
four lessons that I was observed on throughout my student teaching.
When I was
first observed, it was my first day of teaching overall. I was so nervous that day that I prepped all
night before and all morning of. My
first lesson was an introduction to autobiographies and the characteristics
autobiographies possess. To start this
whole lesson out, I had a video clip. Of
course, this video clip did not work for me!
But, I moved on and explained how this clip related to what we were
talking about in class. As I think back,
I was very specific on my instruction and it was not at a level the 12th
grade class needed. I could have moved
through that lesson a lot faster, but I did not. Looking at my entire time at my first
placement, I could have moved a lot faster through everything. I think my biggest challenge was the constant
push back from the students. It was
exhausting. Back to the lesson, I also
gave the students guided notes. Senior
students do not need them no matter what level they are at. This was a waste of time for me and I feel
like it did not help the students in any way.
From then on, I made the students write down everything on his or her
own. I can see a major change from
beginning to end now.
In my second
observation, I got a double hit. I was
observed by both my advisor and a school administrator. Also, to add to my nerves, I had no idea it
was going to happen. Well, in this
lesson, I related the plot elements to Michael Jackson’s Thriller. I showed the Lego version of the music video
and then the students worked together throughout class to label the different
parts of the movie with plot elements. I
thought this lesson went over really well.
But, the building administrator was not on the same page. I was happy that I got the students engaged
and wanting to do the project, but the administrator did not see the point of
this. I was crushed. I was so happy and then my bubble was burst
when I went in for my meeting! I will
never forget this meeting nor this lesson because of the good and the bad. Reflecting on this lesson, I do not think I
would change that much. I thought it
went over really well, and the students did too. They actually learned a lot that day and that
is why I am there…to help them learn!
My third
observation was in my second placement.
This lesson was on poetry. Well,
after realizing I was talking about the WRONG poet, I was so embarrassed. I then went back through and corrected myself
in every class. This was the best lesson
to learn for me because I am sure I will make that mistake again at some point
in my career. I thought the lesson went
well, but I also realized that I suck at modeling. I forgot that my students are not always on
the same page as me. Sometimes I think
they are with me and they say they are, but they are not. This modeling is something I still need to
work on and I realize this. Now, every
single lesson I do, I think about times I can model and do!
My last
lesson was with drama. I thought this
unit would be the easiest to do for me, but I was wrong. I found that because I have a strong theater
background, I was expecting a lot from my students. Most of them stepped up and stayed with me,
but some did not. Now, I am dealing with
unruly parents because the students did not follow directions. Talk about high stress levels. Anyway, my lesson for my observation went
well, but I found that my discussion was not deep nor did it connect to
anything. Sometimes, I struggle with in
depth discussion leading. It is great in
my head, but does not come out as planned.
I am hoping that this is something that will come over time. I think it will, but I do know that it needs
work!
Well,
again, I am so happy that I have graduated!
I cannot believe how fast time has gone by. It seems like yesterday I was sitting in the
old CUB at orientation. Now, it is all
over and I need to find myself a big boy job!
I hope somewhere will find me as a valuable resource and a great
addition to their team! Well, I hope to
keep adding to this blog as time goes on, but for right now, the blog goes on
hold. Once I start my first job, I will
start this back up. I hope that Dr.
Shannon uses it as an example in her method classes! J Last, I would like to thank my amazing
advisor and mentor Dr. Shannon for everything she has done! Without her
wonderful guidance, I would not be where I am today! You have showed me some amazing techniques
and I will never forget any of it! Thank
you so much!
