Apples, Pumpkins, and Leaves
Fall is finally here! Though, it may not quite feel like it in the air, we are definitely welcoming it with open arms into our classrooms! We have studied apples and how to cross breed them to make them the yummiest. We have made apple pizzas and apple sauce. We have learned about pumpkins and how their life cycle works. And now, we are in the process of transforming our classroom into a bat cave for the next two weeks! It is crazy how quickly this semester has flown by! I feel like we just began school yesterday, and somehow it is already October!
This month, I have seen the importance of collaboration among teachers in the school. Between the five teachers in first grade, there are five times as many resources as there would be if they simply kept to themselves! I am fortunate to be able to spend my student teaching placement with teachers who really are happy to share with one another and put their ideas and resources together to give every student in the grade the best experience possible. I have also learned the importance of still remaining the advocate of your students while collaborating. This ties in perfectly with two professional teaching standards. The one that states that teachers contribute to the success of their students and the one that states how teachers demonstrate leadership.
Speaking of leadership, this entire semester has been one that has thrown me into several roles of leadership. I have has to take over my class for hours at a time while my CE performs assessments for our students and for the students next door, because their teacher is on leave. I have learned what to say and what not to say to intrigue and engage students. I have learned the kind of encouragement that works with certain students but not with others. It has been an incredible learning experience to have such varying needs and personalities in my classroom. I have learned how to motivate, cheer up, educate, reteach, and help so many different types of students. These experiences are ones that I will carry with me into my future classroom to meet the needs of my students.
This month, I have seen the importance of collaboration among teachers in the school. Between the five teachers in first grade, there are five times as many resources as there would be if they simply kept to themselves! I am fortunate to be able to spend my student teaching placement with teachers who really are happy to share with one another and put their ideas and resources together to give every student in the grade the best experience possible. I have also learned the importance of still remaining the advocate of your students while collaborating. This ties in perfectly with two professional teaching standards. The one that states that teachers contribute to the success of their students and the one that states how teachers demonstrate leadership.
Speaking of leadership, this entire semester has been one that has thrown me into several roles of leadership. I have has to take over my class for hours at a time while my CE performs assessments for our students and for the students next door, because their teacher is on leave. I have learned what to say and what not to say to intrigue and engage students. I have learned the kind of encouragement that works with certain students but not with others. It has been an incredible learning experience to have such varying needs and personalities in my classroom. I have learned how to motivate, cheer up, educate, reteach, and help so many different types of students. These experiences are ones that I will carry with me into my future classroom to meet the needs of my students.
Grace, I am thrilled to see that you have been able to grow your leadership skills. This "on demand" leadership really helps you to gain perspective and will help you as you move into student teaching!
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