Student teaching has taught me a lot, most of all, it's taught me
how to try and stay balanced. Between my own personal life and events, student
teaching, being a student, working a part time job, I've had to learn how to
manage my time by the minute.
In January, I realized, planning minute by
minute was especially important when managing a class period of 45 minutes. The
secret I found: routines. I consistently now know I will spend 5 minutes on
bell work, 5 minutes on fluency, 30 minutes on my lesson, and 5 minutes on
closing/clean up time.
Quickly, it became essential to learn
how to more efficiently manage my time outside of the classroom. I have no
choice.
I have the occasional slip up where things
don't always go as planned (so life goes), but if there's one thing I would
like to learn to do better is to: accomplish my goals, have a life, and be the
best professional I can be.
It's about that time of year where the end
is so near, I can almost see the finish line. I'm scared, I'm nervous, I'm afraid
of falling off of this thin-line that's taken up all of my time, efforts, and
sacrifice. I've been having a reoccurring dream that I somehow end up
substituting, the same class, over and over again. I'm not sure where the fear
stems from.
I'm lucky to have a cooperating teacher
that is encouraging, supportive, understanding, and provides me feedback daily.
She pushes me to become better, suggests different techniques, and praises me
for best practices.
I feel as if I have gone through the “growing pains” of
improvement in my professional aspect, but I still have a long way to go.
My passion for teaching and reaching students is my main drive. I
think the most rewarding part of my student teaching experience are the
students that excitingly share stories that they’re writing with me and ask me
if I can teach 7th grade at their school next year. A student just
recently asked me two days ago to edit her “book” she’s been writing. There’s
nothing more rewarding than to see your students passion ignited for reading
and writing outside of the classroom.
I have students that confide, trust, and believe in me as a
teacher. When a problem arises, they look towards me for the solution. When my
cooperating teacher leaves the room, they no longer question my authority in
the classroom. I am their teacher.
The most important part is to believe in yourself. It’s something
I struggle with, but I’ve become more confident as time has passed. I thank the
supportive friends and teachers I’ve had around me.
I’ve learned the importance to
keep honest and open communications consistently with the professionals,
families, and students you are working with. Be open to receiving feedback, and
appreciate it, above all. Take advice, reflect on yourself honestly, and be
ready to apply it to who you want to become.
