Today, I entered a classroom for
the first time. When I say this, I don’t mean that I’ve never physically been
in a class before (I wouldn’t be here if that was the case). I have been in
plenty of my own classes as well as those that I tutored throughout my high
school and freshman year of college career. I mean that this was my first
experience in a classroom as an official future teacher. As nerve wracking as it
was to enter a classroom knowing I too was being observed, I was extremely excited
to see what was in store.
This excitement only increased when
I discovered that over a third of the students in the 2nd grade
class I was observing were from the 1st grade classroom I tutored in
just last year. Seeing their smiling faces as they recognized me on their way
in cured all anxieties I was feeling towards being in a new room. It was an
instant reminder that I wasn’t coming to the classroom for myself but for them.
As much as teaching is something I am pursuing because I enjoy it, it should
more so be about making it a meaningful and enjoyable experience for my
students. A teacher’s job is to selflessly give so that his or her children are
successful.
Other than the simple joy of seeing
familiar faces and being able to assist at two math stations (Yes, I nerded out
a little bit), my main take away from today’s observation is how impressed I am
with my clinical educator’s class management. Some of her students were separated
into two primary learning groups for reading and vocabulary where the two teachers
could give personalized attention to each student. The other students were
split amongst four, smaller stations for individualized practice. While those
at the smaller stations were not with the teacher directly, they followed
instructions without disrespect. Even students that I knew struggled to pay
attention last year were doing as they were told without complaint. For me,
this was a shock.
Watching my more energetic students
follow instructions seamlessly showed me just how important it is to establish expectations
for what is and isn’t acceptable in the classroom. It was evident that the atmosphere
my clinical educator had created was both understanding and demanding of respect.
This was also shown in how she monitored the group sharing an iPad for any
conduct issues (i.e. not sharing, on the wrong game, etc). As I look ahead,
having an aura similar to this is one of my goals. So many students I know zone
out or goof off in their math classes because they are either lost or
hopelessly bored. When I have my own classroom, I hope to engage my students in
such a way that they can enjoy their growing process.
Fantastic post Sydney! I was very happy that we were in the same classroom for this. I just want to say thank you for being the first one to jump in and interact with the kids. I felt the same way at first, felt like I too was being observed, but when you went over and you were interacting with the kids it gave me the little boost I need to go over to another group and interact with them. I also agree that teacher did a great job with how she managed the room. Classroom management is important for us to learn and it was great seeing it in action.
ReplyDeleteSydney,
ReplyDeleteYou have done an excellent job of observing your classroom! I am very impressed with how much you have learned in just one visit. How she monitored the students and seemed to demand respect from them is incredible, and certainly no easy task! Personalizing a students learning experience is so much more important than learning as a whole in a classroom, you have really captured this.
I find this your experience in observing very comforting because it shows that the student like and respect their teacher and also the class subject. When the teacher makes learning and relevant the students have fun and thrive.
ReplyDeleteSydney,
ReplyDeleteI am glad you had a great visit! I am glad you are already able to see great classroom management skills - and, more importantly, know why those classroom management skills are effective! How could you build upon what you observed and integrate those skills into your future classroom?