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What Were My Expectations And Were They Met?

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What Were My Expectations And Were They Met?

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As I walked into Cowern on the first day of my placement, I didn't know what to expect nor did I have actual "expectations." They are third graders for crying out loud. If anything, I expected some rowdy kids that didn't want to listen and weren't fabulously behaved. To my surprise they were actually truly outstanding. They listened well for the most part and they did as told almost instantly. Of course it wasn't perfect but I was absolutely amazed by these young individuals and I couldn't wait to continue my days there. It has been this way for most of my time but of course the class does have it's difficult days.

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Factors That Were Facilitating and Impending

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Factors That Were Facilitating and Impending

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My time in the classroom with the third graders was very interesting to say the least. Some of my students were extremely brainy for their young age and then I had the ones that struggled. I paid very close attention. I helped students in math, spelling, and reading. I got to grade tests and see improvements and note areas that needed more attention. I evaluated each and every student. This all helped make things a lot easier and run more smoothly for me in the classroom. I got to know information about my students lives outside of school. I came across a student in the glass with fetal alcohol syndrome, and three others who had been evaluated and diagnosed with special education needs. Some days things went easy, others there were major outbursts.. usually on substitute days! Overall my students were a joy to be around.

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I have been volunteering at Cowern Elementary. I have been placed in a class full of third graders who are extremely sweet and fun to be around. I've grown an attachment to them. Here the students learn a bit of everything like math, reading, writing, spelling, and so on and so forth.

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Throughout this course I got to learn about how politics play into teaching, the different kinds of schools, pathways to teaching, and all other programs that play into teaching. I also got to see different styles of teaching and approaches. I observed that not all students learn the same and it can be difficult because sometimes it can be really inconvenient. I learned all about the testing we go through and why we really do it and why it is necessary. I would really like to know what would happen if we abandoned that system though.. tried something new. Through blog posts and the power points, articles, and the discussions I've learned all of this. Doing those activities were extremely helpful and eye opening.

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Over this course I have noticed and come to realize that a lot more then I could have ever imagined goes into teaching. It's probably one of the hardest and most stressful jobs. Teachers are under a lot of pressure. Politics even play into it a lot more then I really ever knew. When you're a teacher you're responsible for taking care of the student, nurturing them, and helping them succeed and it can be so overwhelming because not everyone learns the same way and there are all these standardize tests that make it so you have to learn it the same way and not every student picks it up so it can reflect negatively on the teachers. Teachers are like superheros. If we didnt have teachers, I don't know what we would do. Teachers are the ones who prepare the future generation. Teaching is probably the most important job because it leads you to any other profession in life. Without teachers we wouldn't even have a well together community. They are the glue.

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After my time in the classroom of third graders and learning so much about them I chose to stay in the same classroom. I want to see where they go and how this year turns out for them. I really want to continuing making connections with these students and really get to understand how their brains work. After seeing them be taught and after being taught myself I want to know just effective or un-effective these tests and guidelines we have to take and follow are. I want to dig deeper now, both with my third graders and with myself. I'm excited to see just what awaits us.