Internship Week 14 Reflection

Today, I experienced a true loss for one of my students.  I was sad to learn his grandfather passed away and he was extremely close to him.  This was very unexpected, as his grandfather passed away in his sleep.  I just told him how sorry I was and if he needed to talk throughout the day I was there for him.  He turned to my mentor and told her what had happened and she told him how sorry she was and how he can find comfort in the fact that he went peacefully.  My mentor teacher has a way of making you feel very loved and comforted.  I could tell she calmed the student down and was able to help him feel better.  It is this quality that I want to possess.  

I want my students to feel secure and to feel that they can tell me anything.  She has the maternal instinct that I long for, which I’m sure comes from being a mother herself.  Her caring actions are reflected in every aspect of her classroom.  The students come to her for good news, bad news, and news that they might not tell others.  This leads me to my point- teachers are not there solely to teach.   Teachers are there to provide support to our students, be mindful of what is going on at home, and make our classroom inviting, so that students feel comfortable.  Comfort makes us open to many things- students need to feel comfortable in order to learn and function in our classroom.  It is up to use to provide this environment and always be there for our students to feel that way.  The last three weeks of my teaching, I will make it my goal to show my support to students.