I learned integrating authenticity into my identity is one of the key components to becoming successful in this field. My identity also includes being empathetic and understanding that I have the power to make a change, even if it’s one student.

Co-planning and reflecting with my mentor teacher

very positive. We have a great environment between students and teachers.. wish we weren’t closing 🥺

One thing I feel like I have learned about myself through working in school and engaging with students is the importance of being confident in who you are, purposefully cheesy, and embracing/acknowledging our differences rather than trying to skip over them. I also think that while there are things about myself that I would love to change, modeling yourself as a confident person who knows their shit inside and out is awesome. AB

it’s been going great! I might not have a relationship with every single student but i was very intentional about my initial actions to make connections. I feel like i’m still building those relationships, and I don’t have a problem with that. I think that because i’m younger than my mentor it is a little easier because they feel a little more comfortable to share things with me rather than share with my mentor. KC

Relationship building at my school has been great so far. I feel like I have gotten to know so many of my students. It has been hard though in the sense that I am so busy between the work, temple responsibilities, and my personal life. I miss opportunities to go to school functions and sporting events which I know would mean a lot to many of the kids.

I have relearned how much I thrive when my days are structured. Having a structure to work within allows me to be more flexible in the moment and adapt more quickly and positively to change. This also serves as a good reminder of how important clear expectations and classroom systems are for my students.

I am still working on building relationships with students. I feel like I am so busy with coursework and working on my teaching skills that relationship building has unfortunately taken a back burner. I also feel like I need boundaries in terms of relationships in order to practice classroom management.

I would say my sense of belonging. I learned where I am seen and where I am not. That awareness shaped my identity around culture, background, interests, and purpose. Now that I have been at that my placement for two years many students tell me that I am one of the few teachers that understands them. NP

Many of the math concepts I teach are something I haven’t thought about in the last few decades. I have had to relearn things from when I was a kid, but it’s easier this time because the path was already there once. It takes a lot more to teach math than to simply do well on tests only worrying about myself.

Being at my high school has really taught me how I don't want to be as a teacher. Many of my coworkers are super strict and often kids get the support they need. -s