Image of the reading Center in my Internship 1 Classroom
Teaching and Educational Experiences
Ever since I was younger, I have been babysitting and helping my younger siblings with their school work. I baby-sat for all ages from infant to 12 years old. It was a great experience to gain confidence in my teaching. This is so because I would help children with school work and create educational activities do with them when I am watching them. I have had various observations during my pre-education courses with 3rd grade gifted classroom, 4th grade classroom, and a 5th grade classroom. I also have been a tutor for two sixth grade boys at a local middle school here in Tampa. I think that each one of these have impacted my beliefs as a future teacher. I think that experiences helped me grow as an individual by showing my strengths and my weaknesses.
Internship Expectations
I expect to learn more about how to be a successful teacher and how to be more creative with creating activities and lessons that are engaging for all students. I want to be able to have students learn by getting them involved in hands-on ways. I also expect to be treated with respect by the USF supervisor and by the supervising teacher at Forest Hills Elementary. I plan on being respectful to all involved in this experience with me and to do my part to the full extent. My fear during this internship experience is that I will get a supervising teacher that is not willing to help me succeed and does not push me to become a better teacher than I am today. My hopes is to have a great experience in the classroom and get to know the students and provide instruction appropriate to their learning levels.
Teachers that Stand Out
The teachers that stand out to me are mainly in the elementary school and one or two from my high school years. Some qualities that made them excellent teachers are engaging, treated me like a real person, had high expectations, community classroom, and did not keep everything the same during lessons. These teachers made the lessons so that all students were able to achieve success and learn what was expected. These teachers made sure to show students that they cared to an appropriate level and did not over step any of the boundaries. The most memorable things I remember about these teachers is that they were always approachable about academic, social, and/or personal issues. It was easier to learn knowing that these teachers support you in any way.
"Teaching is the profession that teaches all the other professions." ~Author Unknown
I also put in my blog that my classroom management/level II internship were the classes that had the greatest impact on me as a future teacher. I learned a lot from working with my special education parter; I learned a lot of examples and non-examples of how a cooperative professional relationship works. I feel as though that course gave me extra preparation for working in a school. You are expected to work with various colleagues, from ESE specialist, to speech pathologist to your school's OT; that class helped me to see that. Having Dr.Parker teach that class was also a benefit for me. She mad me feel comfortable in the schools and helped me remember that I am just learning but at the same time that I do have a lot of knowledge already so no one should look down on me.
ReplyDeleteI think that your description of a good teacher was perfect. Every teacher that i have ever considered as "good" or even "great" has also been regarded as "approachable." Having an instructor that is intimidating makes you feel uncomfortable and not in anyway ready to learn. Having a teacher that is willing to talk to you further about academics, or able to assist you with a problem that you may be having with peers or even a problem that you may be having at home automatically creates a comfortable, safe environment.