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My name is Nathan Zock and I am a junior at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. I am currently studying History and Spanish with a minor in Secondary Education all to follw my lifelong goal of becoming a high school educator. Alongside my studies, I work as a graphic designer for University Housing and Marketing, applying my creativity to university projects. My campus life is enriched by my involvement in Club Ultimate Frisbee, as well as volunteering with Habitat for Humanity and Vis-a-Vis tutoring, which provide me with the opportunity to give back to the community and fulfill my passion for education.

My Strengths:

1. Content

2. Focus

3. Strategic

4. Analytical

5. Communication

I believe these strengths accurately represent who I am as a student, and as a person.

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1. Leading Lessons with Precision and Success

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1. Leading Lessons with Precision and Success

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During my experience an LAS 101 intern, I had the opportunity to teach a class of freshman students, guiding them through a very broad introduction to their time as a student at UIUC. As an aspiring educator, this internship has provided me invaluable experience in getting in front of the classroom, as well as engaging in a great deal of the essential work that teachers perform behind the scenes, such as grading, responding to emails, and curriculum planning.

One of my primary responsibilities throughout this internship was implementing the weekly lesson plans provided to us. This involved taking the predesigned lesson plans, and working on them to make them engaging and informative, which in turn not only introduced students to the information provided, but also fostered critical thinking and collaboration. Using my experience as an educator and a student, I would work to create a dynamic and interactive learning experiences for the freshmen, doing everything possible to keep them engaged and interested in what was being taught.

Another key aspect of my role as an LAS 101 intern was to engage and facilitate meaningful discussions. This task often proved to be the most challenging of my responsibilities. And regardless of the effort I invested in designing lesson plans or the enthusiasm I tried to generate, there were often times when students appeared disinterested or struggled to maintain proper engagement. And while I cannot fault them for not wanting to be fully participatory in a 5 pm LAS 101 class, I persevered. Through the effort I dedicated outside the classroom into cultivating engagement and fostering genuine discussions, I encouraged students to share their thoughts, ask questions, and actively participate in discussions. Throughout the semester, these discussions gradually curated a sense of community within the classroom, and over time, students grew more comfortable in responding to questions, and interacting with me and other students.

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4. Empathy, Focus, Communication in Classroom Leadership

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4. Empathy, Focus, Communication in Classroom Leadership

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As a future educator, my LAS 101 internship has provided me with significant opportunities for leadership and professional development. One area of professional growth I have had during this internship has been in communication. Although I write about it a lot, effective communication is essential, not only in education but also in any professional field, and I believe that my growth in this skill has taken various forms. For one, I've worked on honing my ability to convey ideas, provide feedback, and connect with students and colleagues, a skill that I believe translates to almost any professional field. Another aspect of communication that has significantly improved during my LAS 101 internship is my ability to engage with a classroom of students. Teaching a group of students, some of whom are only a couple of years younger than me, has shaped my perspective on classroom dynamics and boosted my confidence as a communicator and leader.

In addition to communication, I have also greatly developed my leadership skills. I believe that being an LAS 101 intern involves multifaceted leadership roles, both inside and outside the classroom. Within the classroom, I've been responsible for leading curriculum and instruction, guiding the students in their learning journey, a part of being a leader that I will constantly be working to improve. Another key aspect of being an LAS 101 leader is serving as a peer mentor, offering guidance and answers to their many questions. This role has allowed me to be seen as a source of experience and knowledge for the students, helping them navigate their university journey.

I’m not sure about what resources could've helped me. I felt very comfortable with my returning interns that I was always able to ask them questions and ask for help when certain issues arose. This was a great resource for me. And in terms of development in the class itself, possibly having more regular feedback from students where they are able to give their insights to how the class is going or how it can be improved, instead of solely at ICES forms.

In conclusion, my LAS 101 internship has significantly contributed to my growth in communication and leadership, both of which are vital skills for my future career as a high school educator.

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Being an LAS 101 intern this semester has been greatly important and useful in improving my educational skills and preparing me for a future in teaching. It is through this experience that I have gained valuable insights into classroom management, curriculum development, and effective communication with students.

One of the most significant aspects of this internship has been the opportunity to develop my teaching skills. Over the past semester, I have had the great opportunity to be at the forefront of another classroom, responsible for instructing a group of freshmen students, and leading them through their first semester here at UIUC. As a future educator, this hands-on experience has allowed me to further fine-tune my pedagogical skills, and enable me to better engage and educate students the future. I learned to adapt my teaching methods to meet the diverse needs of my students, which is another vital skill for any educator.

In additional, the internship has offered me practical experience in curriculum development. Despite not writing much of the course material, or even having any leeway in that matter for what I will teaching my class, this internship has given me the opportunity to shape the content and structure of what is being taught in a way that will keep students engaged. Lastly, as previously written about, my growth in communication has been a significant aspect of my time as a LAS 101 intern. Whether it was conducting one-on-one meetings, collaborating with fellow TAs and supervisors, or interacting with students, my ability to speak in front of a classroom, and express my ideas has greatly improved over this past semester.

This experience as a LAS 101 intern has greatly equipped me with the practical knowledge required to excel in the classroom and positively impact the educational journey of my future students.

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6. Challenges of Time Management and Well-being

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6. Challenges of Time Management and Well-being

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Lastly, despite teaching for only 1 hour and 20 minutes a week, this experience has truly forced me to adapt and find a balance between my academic and personal responsibilities throughout the semester. At the beginning of the semester, I knew I would have a hectic semester, with LAS 101 taking 5-6 hours, on top of a 17-credit hour course load. I am also actively involved in numerous RSOs and club sports, often leaving little time for myself. However, after a few weeks, I began to find my rhythm and I learned to manage my schedule, and I started to prioritize my mental health and overall well-being. However, just when I thought I had it all figured out, I was offered another job as a graphic designer for university housing, adding another 10 hours of work per week. The decision to take on this job was very difficult, both for my family and I. Balancing over 15 hours of work with a 17-credit hour course load was a lot, and the decision itself came with its fair share of stress. Yet, I took the job. I felt that as someone with limited professional experience in design, it would help keep my options open once I leave the university, and I am very glad it’s the decision I made. At first, I did struggle with the workload, however, over time it got better. Even now, I still feel at times it is a bit much, however, I persevere and continue to find time for myself when possible.

Throughout this challenging period, one thing remained constant: my commitment to the well-being of my students as an LAS 101 intern. Regardless of my personal workload, I always ensured that my students prioritized their mental and physical health. During one-on-one meetings, students often confided in me about their struggles to create a proper schedule, find time to eat, or the need to talk to a counselor or advisor. It became my responsibility to guide them toward seeking the support and resources they needed to stay well. Even when I myself wasn’t 100%, it was rewarding enough to see my students succeeding and finding the proper resources they needed.