and I have a lot to write about. I have been '"lead teaching" or teaching and taking on the entire classroom responsibilities for the past 4 weeks. This 4 weeks has been challenging in and outside the classroom. On top of taking on the teaching responsibilities I have also been in search mode for a job.
Where I have been over the past 4 weeks...I traveled to Denver and Colorado Springs, Colorado last weekend to test the waters and see if there were any job opportunities out there. It seems there job market is as flourishing as Michigan's and jobs are far and few between. I did however, come in contact with some great people and had a chance to test out my interviewing skills a few times. I think getting in front of principals and school districts is important to landing a teaching job and by getting out to job fairs early, I think you can improve your chances of getting a job. Michigan State does a excellent job preparing you to be a great teacher, but they don't do the best job in preparing you to get a job so that you can be a great teacher.
What I am happy about...I finally feel as though I am on top of my planning and am starting to feel comfortable managing what little time I have to get things done. Being prepared is one of the things a teacher needs to be. It is so important to be prepared a week or two ahead just in case something doesn't work.
What I am disappointed about...I arranged my kids in groups in anticipation for exciting and engaging lessons, instead I ended up with clashing personalities and hurt feelings. It seems the students in my class cannot get along regardless of where I put them in the room. I am disappointed that I had to move the seating arrangement back to rows and I am even more disappointed that my kids couldn't get along. Over the next few weeks I am going to incorporate more team building activities to try and build relationships.
What I am excited about...lead teaching is winding down and I am finally getting a grasp on how I like to teach and I feel that students are enjoying me more as a teacher.
What I still need to work on...Talking!!!! Students continuously jabber and it can be really draining on my lessons and my day. I need to hold students accountable for their behavior, regardless of which student it is and when the behavior took place. I have missed the passed couple Fridays and students that weren't finished with their work for the week were getting off the hook instead of staying in for recess. This past week I was a stickler and made sure everyone that had missing work stayed in.
I will try to continue to post more and more as my responsibilities in the classroom lessen. I have learned a lot this year and am continuing to learn things everyday!
Stay tuned....
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5 comments:
Hi, I'm also in Cheryl's TE 402 class and will be where you are in one short year! I find it interesting how many ups and downs your internship year has taken, as I'm sure mine will too. Also, it's exciting to see that you feel as though you are finding your own teaching style. I'm not sure what "type" of teacher I will be, but I think that just comes with experience, which it sounds like you're getting a lot of! Do you think that your CT has influenced your teaching style at all?
This blog is a really neat idea and will help you remember your student teaching year! Good luck finishing up lead teaching!
Catherine Bartz
Mr. Kay,
Hi, I'm Cheryl's TE 402 class. I have read most of your posts and I think they are great. This post specifically speaks to a lot of the anxiety I have about the upcoming internship year. It's really good to hear that you feel like you are getting more and more comfortable being the lead teacher and that the students are responding to you. That's one fear I have for the next year, students not responding to me or seeing me as a "teacher." It's too bad the students aren't able to get along. I see a lot of that in the classroom I am in right now for field. I'll be interested to see if you implemented team building activities like you mentioned and if they worked. I know that at this point you are almost done with your internship year. Do you feel like you are prepared to start teaching your own classroom in the fall? One of my biggest fears is that I won't feel prepared and will have a tough time starting out. Especially with starting from scratch with an empty classroom. I just feel like it's going to be very overwhelming. If you get around to respond to this that's great, otherwise, I understand that you are probably very busy! Good luck!
Zach Brennan
Hi, Another student from Cheryl's class (402). It have to tell you that it is nice to be able to read your blog and have an idea of where I might be during my internship. It is very reassuring to hear that although it is challenging it is still a very valuable experience.
I am curious about how much you think that your CT's classroom environment she set up has effected your teaching style. I know you mentioned that your class has trouble working with others who are not in their friend group and you want to work on team building. Do you feel that since the "team" aspect wasn't established earlier in the year that you are not set behind?
In general, how has your CT's classroom norms effected your teaching style (positive or negative)?
Thank you for taking the time to write your thinking in your blog and sharing it with us and for reading all of our responses. Good luck with the rest of the year!
-Abby
Hello, I am yet another student from TE 402. First, I just wanted to say that all of your posts were very enlightening, even though some of them scared me a bit. I have just gotten my placement for next year so the reality of your obstacles does not seem so far off. I can only imagine what a blog of my own may look like next year and I have a lot of respect for your positive attitude in each post. You are always looking forward and reflecting on your experiences rather than being critical of things beyond your control.
I am not sure what grade level I want to teach after my internship. I was wondering if your internship helped you to determine where, or what grade level you want to teach? I am also looking forward to reading more about your experiences as you wrap up your teaching and continue job hunting. Do you plan to continue blogging about the job searching process? I am very interested in some more advice about how to find a job and how the interview process goes. Thanks so much for sharing your experiences!
Bri Hagist
Catherine,
The intern year is meant for you to try new things and a lot of times you will fail and make mistakes. I learned that teaching has a lot to do with how you react or make up your mistakes. You will undoubtedly make mistakes during your intern year, but don't let that get you down. There will be some great days and some days you ask yourself "way the heck am I doing this?" At the end of all of it the experience is so worth it and you take so much from it that is positive.
Abigail,
Wow, great questions! They sound liek interview questions I had at the job fair! It is so important to establish a community within your classroom from day one. I think that aspect of my class this year was lacking and is definitely something I will be working on in my room in the future. Have clear expectations for your students, be consistent with procedures and such and your students will get a long much better. Everything has to be established from day one!
Bri,
I have always wanted to teach upper elementary since tutoring students my sophomore year. It is okay to be unsure of which grade you want to teach and some people think they want to teach one grade and find out that once placed they love another. I plan on keeping my blog throughout my teaching career because it is such a great way to communicate my thoughts to not only myself, but my parents, friends and colleagues. Don't be nervous to make mistakes, I have made plenty, it is what you do with those mistakes is what makes you a good teacher!
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