Internship Week 5 (7)

This week, I attended the most beneficial training I have ever attended.  Marion County offers a transition meeting/training at the Board Office to provide ideas to show support for students transitioning from junior high to high school and from high school to post-secondary options.  The meeting was so informative on so many different levels.  I was introduced to accommodations I had never heard of, strategies to use to provide support, and many other helpful ideas to support my students.

First off, I would like to reflect on the way they prepare for their future.  Although the training showed a lot about how to help students currently, they also planned for the next school year, giving tips on how to give students a jump start and how to support them before they even think about falling behind. This really made me stop and think- if we show students how much we truly want them to succeed and do everything we can to get them going in the right direction, that just might be enough initiative for them to take charge of their own lives and create a better future for themselves.

As I stated before, accommodations were also brought up, which made me realize that we truly are living in an ever-changing world.  Now, when writing IEPs, we think of accommodations for students to have while taking online Statewide tests.  I know technology is more prevalent, but to think that we have advanced to the point where there are specific accommodations for technology use really shows this progression.  I was also introduced to many accommodations and their meanings.  I have heard a lot recently, "Do the students want PO1 or PO2?" Needless to say, I was a little bit confused... What in the world did they mean by that? My mentor teacher then explained that one accommodation meant the computer read it to you while the other meant a teacher read the test to you.  This was also further explained in my meeting.

The transition meeting also provided behavior supports and intervention for students with exceptionalities.  Multiple apps were provided (once again, more technology) to use with students with visual impairments at a secondary level.  Discussions were conducted on how to decrease (and eliminate) dropout rates currently and for the future.  Overall, the meeting was so detailed and informative and I am so glad that I was able to experience this as an intern.  I feel that I learned so much and feel better prepared to take on a job in secondary special education if my future leads me to this particular age group.

Internship Week 4 (6)

This week, I introduced my 9th grade English students to The Odyssey.  I was surprised at how many students knew about Greek Mythology and taught me something new! I enjoyed the way I conducted my class. I had a PowerPoint, but I left it as an open discussion so students could add whatever they knew about the topic to the lesson.  I wondered how discussion would be in a high school setting, but since I have a small group at a time, I really feel that it went well.

I believe it is important to get to know your students before determining the teaching style.  However, this should not limit you to only certain teaching styles.  Using trial and error is a great way to determine what best suits your students' needs, as well.  I was excited about the classroom participation during The Odyssey lessons.  I really feel that the students felt connected.  I also was able to use a higher level of enthusiasm (which I love) and the students responded very well.  If students were off track, I tried my best to connect what they were talking about to the lesson.  I am becoming more comfortable with teaching older students and I can't wait to see what the next few weeks has in store for me!

This coming week, I am picking up my final class, English 11 students.  I am anxious to see how my students will respond to me.  This seems to be a quieter group, so I am looking forward to getting to know them and connecting their personal interests to the lessons.  I am sad, however, that I will not have as much time with the high school students.  I feel that if I had a 16 week internship like my previous one, I would really be able to conduct some interesting lessons and allow the students to take over the lessons (discussion-like environment).  This is something I have always wanted to try at a high school age.  Perhaps before I leave, I will be able to do this type of lesson with them.

Internship Week 3 (5)

Being flexible with a schedule is a theme that becomes more prominent the further I go into the field of education.  Snow days, two hour delays, and teacher meetings all took place in the two short days that I was at the high school this week.  What happens when this occurs during benchmark? What happens to my lesson plans? How will I adjust? I have an answer for all of the questions that stirred in my mind this week- it will go on.  You learn to adjust accordingly and prioritize the plans.  You learn that not everything will fit into the schedule all of the time.  You learn to be flexible.  If there is one thing I learned this week, it is that there is no need to stress.  What needs to be done will be done.  "Go with the flow" is some of the best advice I have received from my mentor.  Of course, this is synonymous with being prepared! Being extra prepared is important so you have the opportunity to "go with the flow".  You plan for all of the hiccups of the weather, or for the meeting that is scheduled for the morning, but might take place in the afternoon.  Wherever, whenever, teachers must be prepared.