Internship Week 15 Reflection

Today was one of those days where I reflected on the semester.  There are SO many things I would have changed, but it made me realize how much I have learned in such a short amount of time.  There are so many ways I would have changed my demeanor.  The student that gave me the hardest times, I realized if I would have just walked about and given her a couple minutes to cool off, she would have been fine.  The student that I allowed to whine, I should have immediately addressed because now I have to be much more stern with her and she is complaining even more because she is not used to me addressing this.  I should have found more ways to address the issue and encourage her to do her best and be positive.  Perhaps rewards would have worked, and that is something I am going to try these next two weeks with my students.  I have realized that I started the year more lenient than what I wish I would have, but I know you live and you learn.  If there is one thing I have learned, it is that you grow as a teacher through all of these experiences.  I am very grateful that my mentor allowed me to figure my teaching style out on my own.  She gave me feedback and encouragement all the time, but never once told me what to do.  I feel that because of that, I was able to grow as a teacher and learn how I want to be as well as what I will change for future implications. 

In my future classroom, I will establish the rules and go over them daily for at least the first month so the students get well accommodated to them.  I have noticed in my videotapes the students are constantly shouting out my name rather than raising their hand.  Now, this isn’t to say that I am not okay with them talking, but when they are interrupting others and it is independent work time, they need to be respectful of their peers.  Perhaps this is something I did not stress enough at the beginning of the semester.  We were taught by one of our teachers that she takes the first 6 weeks of school to get her students adjusted to the rules and the routine.  I remember thinking- 6 weeks! That’s crazy.  However, I retract that statement.  The importance of a routine in Elementary classrooms is so great that the year will not go smoothly unless all students adopt it.  One thing I must remember- patience is key.