Reflecting on this past semester

Woo Hoo I am so happy that this semester is almost over! I am very happy that my classes are over, but I am really sad that I have to switch from my Pre-K placement. I truthfully feel like most of what I learned this semester I learned from my mentor teacher. Katie Berry is amazing and she really took the time to observe me, discuss what I could have done differently, described why she behaved in various situations, and really let me take the reigns in the classroom. Usually I would feel like I was just a guest in my mentor teacher's classroom, but this semester I really feel like I am a part of the classroom and a true teacher. I consider the students to me "mine" rather than just my mentor teachers. I connected so much with the students and I really feel like I learned about their personalities, behavioral norms, and interests. This placement was especially close to my heart because I want to be a Pre-K teacher. I see that it is A LOT of work, but the best part of my week is when I get to spend time with my students. Isn't that what teaching is all about? I am so ready to just graduate, move away, and start my life as a teacher. I hope I can make it these next three semesters without losing my mind. It will be a challenge, but it is a challenge I really want to just get through, succeed at, and move on to bigger and better things in my life. Is it Christmas break yet?

p.s.- I still don't like the practicum plan, but I see that it does have some uses for students. I can see that it could keep people on track with their assignments and that your mentor teacher can also know when all of your assignments are due.

Practicum Plan

Well, the truth finally comes out..... I do not use my Practium Plan. I put it in my folder weeks ago and have not looked at it since. Last year I felt that the Practicum Plan (PP) was just basically extra work for us to do and I feel the same this year. I will admit that the formatting was less rigid this year, but I still do not like doing it. I keep a list of homework assignments on the home screen of my computer and that is how I stay on track with my school work. I can't even remember what my learning goals were, but I feel in general that I am most definitely growing as a teacher. I am so confident teaching and my behavioral management skills have gotten so much better. I absolutely love teaching and I especially love being a pre-school teacher. I mentally know what I have to work on and I feel like I didn't need to write it down and have the paper signed to choose those goals. I hope that I am not being too harsh!!! This year has shown me what I will most likely be choosing to focus on for the big research project Intern year. Benefits of art integration in the classroom.... this is what I am most passionate about and I struggle to create lessons that are not in some way arts related or involve some aspect of hands on learning. I hope that you aren't mad at me for disliking the PP, Michelle!!!

Wiki

I can't believe that November 11 is so soon! I feel that my group of North Elementary participants has really worked well together to get all of the information together, but I will admit that it is difficult to work around five peoples schedules! All of the teachers at North have been really willing to work with us and have provided us with a lot of valuable information for our wiki. The two main ideas that we chose to focus on were diversity and commmunity. North elementary has such a diverse background and we wanted to know how this diversity helped North be a better PDS. With community, we also discussed the North elementary garden. We felt that the garden helped bring the students, staff, and parents together! On Monday, we will be taking our Wiki ( which is still a work in progress) to our coordinator, Laura VanHorn, and getting her input on what we need to add or change. Hopefully there isn't too much work left to do! How has your Wiki gone so far Jason??