"Mirror Mirror on the Wall"

After being observed on Thursday I took some time to reflect on the comments by Dr. Johnson and the comments that my cooperating teacher, Ms. Ricci has given me all week. While I thought the lesson went well over all there were aspects that I immediately knew had to be corrected for this specific lesson and then aspects of logistics that I need to work on for every lesson here on out-

I will start with the specifics of the lesson that I know need to be changed- these include hand written directions for the “column-note-taking strategy.” This would have ensured that the class was on the same page instead of Rachel and I having to go to each group and clarify what we wanted them to be doing. The grouping for the activity should have been pre-done. So either having the desks already in groups or making sure the layout for the groups provided the class with adequate workspace for their desks- many of the groups were squished on one side of the room, while the other half of the room had plenty of space. That having been said we also should have consulted with Ms. Ricci to find out how she implements grouping. The journal prompt, or as Dr. Johnson put it- “the thesis I wrote on the board” at the start of the class, should have either been cut down in length or provided as a handout.

Then there are the particulars of being a teacher that transcend the lesson and should be used every day in the classroom- always having a purpose and providing students with the scaffolding to make connections to make it meaningful both to the lesson and the student. I should always make sure I know how to accurately pronounce certain spellings of words, which is a form of misinformation that is simply negligent-  Making sure my voice is clear and concise when speaking is important not only for students to understand me, but also should include a tone of authority.

All In all it was an experience I greatly enjoyed, and look forward to doing again… only with less mistakes J

Where the Rubber Meets the Road

I have often wondered if this is something I am going to be good at- this whole teaching thing- I can be flighty, and my eagerness can often seem childish, my thoughts often looking like a cluster and not very linear- teacher material?  No I don't think so.

But then I take a step back for a moment and I remember all of the reasons why I chose to pursue teaching-
My love for language, for literature, and the endless knowledge to be explored. The endless worlds still unread, still undiscovered.
The way it feels when I know I have made a difference, made a connection with one student. or better yet, all of the students in the classroom.
That slightly bubbly feeling when I realize I have contributed to something bigger, greater than myself- The hope that my students will be, in essence, smarter than me, than all of their teachers.
They say those who can't do, teach. So why then, do we employ such an education system at all? if not for students to be taught, to be guided?

I have come to recognize my limitations, my short-comings shall you say. My weakness is my inexperience. I know I do not know everything- nor will I ever. I accept these things as calmly as I accept my severe klutziness, or as my sister Abi terms it, that I am "spatially challenged."

So- I am klutzy, and sometimes a goof, but I also know I am smart, and there's nothing more exhilarating than the opportunity than comes with nurturing young minds to discover who they are, what they believe, seeing a new viewpoint on the world around us.

While a job in some cases is simply that- a job to be undertaken and completed fitting neatly and tidily into a 9 to 5 slot, A teacher's job is never finished, or "off" at five, or weekends, or summers. It is a way of life that asks each teacher to be better- to do better-

It is the path I choose, and choose to be good at, because I will be.

Still Burning

The moon is still up when I leave my house and the sky black- The drive to Burrillville a long one, as the unraveling highways bring me farther and farther through the changing leaves of Rhode Island.

My cooperating teacher has started working at Burrillville High School in 1994- Here, in 2012, she is still there. She states matter of factly that this is because she is loyal.

I am acutely aware of her easy energy and relationship with her students that both gives and receives respect- she is calming to be near, and gives off good vibes to all of those around her-

She is inspired by her peers, by her students, and get this- by teacher candidates such as myself and Rachel. After getting the opportunity to observe and assist in her classroom she relates that she loves having us, and that she looks forward to being inspired by us- but here, at this moment, I am the one inspired. Inspired by her focus and drive to challenge a system set in place by those who have no place doing so.

She is enraged; enraged by legislation that is mandating her to put state testing and scores above her students, and their needs. Forcing her to change the way she teaches, the ways, in which she knows through her years of her 18 years of experience, that her students learn best. But instead of fuming and doing nothing about it; she realizes that the system in place is a faulty one, and she finds ways to incorporate testing and standards into her classroom, while remaining a student driven /focused environment.

I look forward to my remaining time here at Burrillville High School- Look forward to learning from someone I both respect and admire, and one day hope to emulate in my own future classroom.