Final Secondary Internship Reflection

My first thought walking in to the internship: Is high school going to be the setting for me? My thoughts walking out of my internship today: High school is certainly a grade level I would love to teach.  I never knew that I would be able to make connections with older students.  The past three years (and really my whole life) I have worked with younger children.  I never had much interaction teaching, tutoring, or interacting with students older than ten.  Hesitant would certainly be the word I would use to describe how I felt going into this internship.  Confident would be the word I would use coming out of the internship.  This placement certainly verified my desire to teach in a resource setting.  I was not with my students in this placement for very long due to snow days, but I was able to make a connection with them that made me comfortable teaching and allowed me to make personal connections to what we were reading in English.  

After this internship, I have learned that there is always room for learning.  I have discovered and been taught so much new information, especially about transition, and feel confident that I will successfully be able to implement a transition plan for students.  I also feel confident to be able to facilitate learning for all of my students no matter what the age.  In the elementary setting, you see your students every day.  In a secondary setting, there could be students on your caseload that you don't even have in class.  This internship has prepared me to be organized in any educational setting and track student progress more frequently as well as document more frequently.  I am extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to teach in a secondary setting.  I learned so much from my students and look forward to possible job opportunities in the secondary setting in the future.  

Internship Week 6 (Week 8)

Connecting literature and classwork to personal life has created some great opportunities to get to know my students.  We read the story, Speaking of Courage by Tim O'Brien in my Junior English class.  The overall concept I wanted my students to take away from this reading was the theme of the story.  We established that the story was centered around the theme, "Courage" (although, we understood that theme of a story should not be summed up in one word).  My students and I 'discussed' (and I use that word lightly- I am still working on my students getting to open up to me) what it meant to be courageous.  I used exit slips for them to record their thoughts because I felt they were more comfortable with writing things down instead of speaking in front of the class.  I got some wonderful responses.

The biggest success I took away from this unit would be the poster project I did with the juniors.  I had them create a poster with a quote or saying about courage that they felt applied to their life.  Then, the students had to create a visual to go along with the quote they chose and explain how they have displayed courage in their lives.  I was so pleased with the posters and had students coming up to talk to me about what they drew and the situation they portrayed through their drawing.  I learned a lot about my students and will be able to draw from their personal lives and interests in future lessons.

Sometimes, all it takes for a student to open up to you is by choosing multiple means of expression for them to do so.  While discussion has been prevalent and effective in my past classes, perhaps projects are the way to go with my junior students.  I am looking forward to my final two weeks of teaching and hope to connect even more with the students to make learning fun and relatable to them.

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.

Internship Week 2 (4)

Although I was only at the high school for three days (two of them being half days), I learned so much! My mentor taught me a lot about the legalities as well as technological advances in special education.  I was walked through the process of Medicaid- how to fill it out, how often to fill it out, when to turn it in, etc.  This week, I have also navigated through the online IEP writing system with my mentor to see what it was all about and how to maneuver through it.  I am also learning about accommodations made for the WestTest as well as how to notify general educators of accommodations of the students.  All in all, this week has motivated me to be organized! The importance of having an agenda and a well-organized classroom and work ethic really stood out to me.  I have certainly found ideas that I plan to 'adopt' for my own future classroom!
I was only able to work with students for two of the three days, but I feel that I am developing a rapport with some of them.  As I continue to be enthusiastic, I find it hard for me to turn off that elementary teacher deep inside of me.  I am really enjoying being in an atmosphere with older students, but there are certain cases while I am in the resource room where I feel that my positivity might be 'too positive' for my students.  I am trying to tone it down a bit, but I will not stop being enthusiastic about my job! I am hoping that the students that are a bit resilient to opening up to me will be more accepting to my offerings of help.  I would like to point out they are not doing this to be rude, nor are they being rude at all.  I feel that the actions portrayed by some of the students come from the age of wanting to be cool.  My students, however, are all wonderful! I am truly enjoying this placement.  I'm looking forward to next week, as I begin teaching English 9.

Secondary Internship Week 1

Wow! What a difference I have seen between Elementary and Secondary students this week! I'm not only talking about the students, but how I conduct myself around my students.  My last placement, I would always walk in very cheerful and positive- high pitch voice, smiles all around, etc.  In high school, I still walk in positive, yet a bit more refined, but sometimes get sleepy stares in return. Although the atmosphere is very different, I truly enjoy being with students of the high school age.  I have only observed this week, but I have really enjoyed what the position presents.

I like that I have seen a lot of discussion in the classes I have been in.  The students seem to take the lead in the collaborative classes, and this is an approach I am familiar with in the college setting as a student myself.  The high school seniors really contribute a lot to class.  Even if the contribution consists of comments to get a laugh out of other students, what the students bring to the table is extremely valuable and allows me to get to know each student's personality.  This week has been used to get to know my students through observation and conversation.  I feel that it is just as important to know your students as it is to know your content.  I felt a bit like a fly on the wall this week as I took in each class and what it has to offer.

The organization skills of my mentor and the collaborative teachers is remarkable and something I wish to learn from.  As I am now entering the 'transition phase' of a student's life, I am learning that there are many options and laws in which I must explore and understand in full in order to serve my students.  From this, I am learning about the importance of organization, especially in special education.  My mentor teacher has already shown me so much.  She takes time each Friday to conduct paperwork, observation, and many other things on each student on her caseload in order to keep up with the requirements for their IEPs.  She plans a week ahead of time.  She is very up-to-date on the medical files of each student and talks greatly with each general education teacher that her students might encounter.  Her routine schedule proves to be very effective and is something that I look forward to adopting into my own practice.  I feel that this placement is going to be one in which I will learn greatly from and extremely enjoy!

Final Reflection

The last week of my internship made me step back and realize how lucky I was to be apart of this classroom.  Since I observed and assisted this week, I had a lot of time to watch my students be engaged in their work.  I did not realize how much my students grew over the sixteen weeks I had been there.  I noticed such a change from the initial time we met that I could not believe how far they had come.  I realize that this is what teaching is all about.  This is the part that is so incredibly rewarding.  Even when students struggle, it is rewarding to see them try so hard.
This internship has certainly been one of the most rewarding times of my life.  Watching the students grow was wonderful, but I also enjoyed watching myself grow as a teacher.  I have verified how I want to teach.  I love to watch the students figure many things out for themselves.  I have gained more of an effective wait time and allowed the students to take the necessary steps to "connect the dots" and figure out exactly what is causing misconceptions.  I enjoyed seeing the students retrace their steps to see how they might approach something differently.
Using practical life activities and lessons is something I thoroughly enjoyed in this classroom, as well.  Having students tell time, count money, check thermometers, and add and subtract daily showed the importance of what they will encounter in the real world.  In this setting, I was able to have one on one time with each student to see where they needed strengthening to succeed in life, as well as find their strengths and encourage them.
I am so proud of my class and could not think of a better way to spend 16 weeks.  They have showed me the importance of school.  They have showed me how to make learning fun.  They have brought me to be the teacher I want to be.

Week 16 Reflection

I have waited to write my reflection for last week to look at my weekly evaluation for suggestions.  After 6 weeks of full time teaching, it was time for me to give back the subjects to my teacher.   While doing this, I realized that I was not as organized throughout the semester as I thought I had been! My mentor teacher gave me the papers the students had stored inside of their desks while I was full time teaching and I did not realize all of the work that they started and did not complete.  I made sure my students were working and not just sitting there, although there were times they were off task.  However, what I did not enforce or make sure of was finishing what they started.  I feel that if something became too difficult or they became bored of it, it was tossed aside in their desks.  Who can blame them? Because of my disorganization, they were able to do this.  In the future, when I chose to incorporate stations, I will be sure to start out with "Finish what is in your desk first!" I feel that I will also incorporate a folder to turn everything that students have worked on at the end of the week to be able to start a fresh new week on Mondays.  Although I was disappointed that I let this slide, there was something to be learned from.  I tried my best, so I was not disappointed in that aspect, but I learned from this experience.  I learned that even if I feel I have accomplished something, there is always room for improvement.  Organization is a skill of mine that needs to be built upon, and I plan to do this.

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. 

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.  

Internship Week 13 Reflection

Practice makes perfect.  That's what they always say! This is something that I have learned throughout the internship, but this is something I would like to reflect on in particular this week.  I admire my mentor teacher for the routine she has created within her classroom.  I can't help but wonder how long it will take me to establish my own classroom routine.

Each day at my internship, the students work on individual work stations for reading.  I really love this idea, but I find myself struggling to balance my time in between all of my students.  All students are on a different level and I feel that individual work is extremely important, so I have tried to accommodate all learner needs.  I feel that the further along I have taught, the better I have become at balancing my time.  However, I think that when I get my own classroom, I will have to start out by doing a lot of the group work with accommodations and modifications initially because I will not have anyone there to help me ease into it. Once my students and I have adapted to the classroom atmosphere and schedule, then I can go to individual station work.

Creating a routine is something that must be practiced constantly.  As I observed my classroom teachers in the early weeks of the semester, I saw how well the students responded to her and everything was so organized.  I want that to be reflected in my student teaching, as well.  The only way that will happen is for me to continue practicing dividing my time where needed and enforcing a set schedule and routine for the students to abide by.  This will be something I will strive for in order to make my classroom an effective learning environment.

Internship Week 12

I realized that there are many things that I have no control over when it comes to schedule interruptions.  This week was certainly a week that I had to adjust my plans in order to accommodate the new schedule that was going on in the school.  

This week, there was a two-hour early dismissal, two assemblies, and a Career Day party.  I only get my students a limited amount of time as it is, so working with the new schedule seemed to really put me behind.  However, this was good practice for me.  I was able to adjust my schedule so my students were receiving the most important instruction that was needed for the week.  

I tried to focus on writing during the reading and writing time so the students had an adequate amount of practice in something I noticed I didn’t incorporate enough the previous weeks (during the first 9 weeks).  I sectioned off my guided reading accordingly so each student got the chance to at least read their book, even if that meant they have yet to finish their comprehension questions.  I made sure to get in as much of my action research in as I could, but could not get the final read in, which is a key part to my study.  However, I have learned to adjust.  I can complete that Monday.  What hasn’t been done I will incorporate into the new week.  

I know I have done the best I can with the amount of time I had last week, and for that I feel accomplished.  I have taken time to reflect on this topic because I know there will be many times that my weeks will be altered.  Through this week, I have learned to prioritize.  What NEEDS done will be completed.  What can be extended will wait until the next week.  As long as I put my students' needs first, then I have done my job.  

Internship Week 11

There are a couple things I would like to reflect on this week.  One of them being my action research project and the other being planning for a substitute teacher.
First, I will reflect on my action research project.  I have to say that I am so pleased with the way things are going! It brings me such joy to see the progress of my student, as well as his boost of confidence at the end of the week when we are finished with his guided reading story.  Even if I see one aspect of improvement, such as three more words being identified allowing the fluency to be more smooth, it brings an instant smile to my face.  I know my student is taking my project seriously, and I know he sees his own improvement.  I have thought about it and I think the next few weeks of my implementation I am going to show him his weekly progress.  I was going to wait to show him at the very end, but I think by showing him at the end of each week, it might motivate him even more! I am really happy that I decided to go with repeated reading strategies.  If there is one thing I could change, it would be to implement it with another one of my students that is on the same guided reading level as the student I did my AR with.  This would have been beneficial because they are already partner reading together, so they would have been working on the same story, as well as the same strategies.  Also, it would have given me more to analyze to see if the strategies would have worked on more than one student.  I will remember this when I do research in my own classroom.
The second thing I am reflecting on is preparation for a substitute.  This took A LOT of time to do.  In a special needs resource room, no two students are working on the same thing, or if they are it's on a different level.  I realized the importance of detail.  You are always on your toes in my classroom! I had to prepare my substitute for the spelling test day- which is certainly the most hectic of them all.  I wanted to give a detailed description so this would run as smoothly as possible for her.  I literally gave her a step by step instruction manual that will aide her throughout the day (hopefully).  I asked her to leave me a note to see what went well and what I could have done to better prepare her so I am looking forward to the outcome on Monday morning.  Overall, I feel that I prepared the sub well, but it is up to them to implement everything I laid out for them.  

Internship Week 10

The fact that I am writing the tenth week of my internship blows my mind! I have no idea where the time has gone.  However, I do feel that I am making more use of my time- so perhaps that is where the time has gone! I have found that every millisecond of time is of use and for this, I have seen a much smoother week.  Guided reading time has been a challenge to me.  I have previously tried having almost each of my 15 students read with me on Mondays, but it finally clicked with me that this just wasn't working.  I have found that it is best to read with half of the class Monday, do their comprehension the next day.  Then do the same with the second half Wednesday and Thursday.  As I talked with my mentor, we both agreed that it truly is all about trial and error.  Whatever you feel doesn't work is worth looking over and reevaluating what might be the best method to fix the errors.  I have found to not be discouraged by something that doesn't work, because it is a lesson to be learned.  I have felt much more confident in my teaching abilities and I feel that I am not afraid to try new things, because I know if it doesn't work, that something else is in store that will.

Internship Week 9

This was a good week, yet exhausting.  I learned a lot about myself as a teacher.  I had quite a bit of behavior issues this week, and I have to say that I let it get the best of me one day.  In the middle of the week, I had one day from 8 in the morning until I left that afternoon that a behavior of a student was building up until finally, an explosion.  I was frustrated, I felt as though I didn't know what to do, and felt helpless.  It was at that point that I realized I will be faced with these situations very often, if not everyday.  It is up to me to deal with it the best way that I can.  As frustrated as I became, I tried my best not to let it show and think to myself about all the things that might be going on in the student's life that was causing them to have a bad day.  I had to remind myself that this behavior isn't happening just to happen, there is a reason and I have to be considerate of the reason.  With that being said, however, I did present a consequence that seemed to reach the student and allow them to understand that respect must be mutual.  At the end of the day, I received something that really touched me and I knew it was said from the bottom of the student's heart.  They came up to me and said, "I'm really sorry, Ms. C." along with a hug.  To me, this meant more than an apology.  This meant that a relationship was established as the student recognized that I am their teacher.  I felt as though the student understood that I truly do want what was best for them and I want them to succeed.
Along with this, I also learned to leave behavior situations to the side and be able to jump from student to student with an enthusiastic attitude and remove my mind from the situation beforehand.  I feel that I did the best I could and felt pretty accomplished as I could go from talking firmly to a student that was possessing an unwanted behavior to a student that is eager to learn.  I've learned that being a teacher is more than teaching.  It is also being a cheerleader, a disciplinarian, and someone to rely on.  These are qualities I am working on possessing- this experience has allowed me to build upon these skills.

Internship Week 7

This week, I learned that sometimes "tough love" needs to be established.  I have learned this week that  I needed to establish that I was an authority figure, and I know I should have done this a long time ago. My students certainly respect me, that wasn't the issue.  I just feel that they didn't take me as seriously as they would another adult figure in the room.  I think it is because they looked at me more as a helper in the classroom rather than a teacher.  This week, I talked to them in a group setting and set some rules.  I let them know that in a week, I will be a full time teacher, and they needed to treat me like one.  I told them that I would appreciate it if they acted the same for me as they did for their classroom teacher.  I talked firmly, yet positively, when something inappropriate happened in the classroom, took apples where needed (behavior plan in the classroom), and encouraged students to do the right thing when I had to correct their behavior.  I feel that the students really took me much more seriously.  I no longer feel that I am looked at as a helper in the classroom.  I feel like I am someone they can come to now initially.  However, if there is one thing I have noticed, it is that my mentor teacher is always extremely positive, even when something undesirable happened.  I have noticed the students do no shut down this way, rather they learn to try harder next time, instead.  I am really excited for this week and will continue to remind them of my position in the class.

Internship Week 6

          I attended another Common Core training today and once again learned a lot of strategies and ways to allow students to represent their knowledge through multiple means of representation.  This particular training was geared for fourth grade and I learned so many new strategies of how to teach the new standards for fourth grade.  I also learned a lot of things about my own teaching in a resource room classroom.  Just because the students I am teaching may be on a level other than fourth grade, I should still cover the standards that are set for their grade level, but accommodate and modify where needed.  For example, one standard was talking about comparing informational texts.  Well, I could do that easily with a book that is at each student's individual instructional level.  This might sound like something that should have come to me automatically, but I have always been searching for Standards in the students developmental stage rather than adjusting to their own grade level where need be.  I feel like I am learning so much in my field experience that can’t be taught in a classroom, and I am lucky to be able to attend trainings as an intern that have already impacted my teaching in the few weeks I have been there.  

Although the standards seem to be an adjustment, I am happy to be student teaching with them.  This is a great way for me to really become acquainted with them, as I make my lessons extremely detailed.  I feel that if I were to do this as a first year teacher, I would be so overwhelmed with everything else I would have to establish that I wouldn't understand the Standards as well as I am learning to understand them now.  This internship has given me the opportunity to take things one step at a time.  It is so nice to be able to slowly immerse myself into teaching full time.  

Internship Week 5

Although our discussions are intended to focus on our time in the school, I would rather make this blogpost about what I learned at training this week.  On Wednesday,  I went with my mentor teacher to a training on Common Core and how it coincides with IEPs.  Going into this training, I really did wonder if it would be a review of what I have learned in class about the Common Core standards, or if I would gain new information from it.  I can honestly say it was one of the most effective trainings I have been to in regards of incorporating the new standards into IEPS as well as how to write IEPs.
We first started out by talking about the new standards and how we want to show growth as a school.  I thought this was a great way to connect the school to the new standards.  Instead of our content taught being a mile wide and an inch deep, it is an inch deep and a mile wide.  I feel that the new standards will certainly help our school growth rate, as we are really unpacking topics and digging deeper to understand what it's all about.  I feel that my classroom I am in really unpacks what the students are learning.  My teacher does not move on until the students really understand the topic.  I have already seen growth in my students in this aspect.
Moving onto the special education aspect of the training, I learned many things.  For example, I did not know that once a student was identified as having a disability, that 'label' is with them the rest of their life.  No matter how much they have improved, if you are categorized as having a learning disability, you will always have that learning disability, even if you do not possess those qualities of the disability. In a way, the term that was used, "labeling", rang through my head.  It makes me sad to think that students are considered as 'labeled' because that is exactly how I feel some people view them.  There are many close-minded people that view them as their disability, but not as the person they are.  This is what I would like to comment on.  I would like everyone to have the experience I am having in my classroom this semester.  I have seen 15 students work their hardest to complete tasks that we take for granted daily.  I have seen them frustrated because they couldn't quite 'get it' and I have seem them triumph for working through their frustration and confusion.  I do not feel that students get the respect and POSITIVE recognition they deserve.  For me, I will make it a personal goal to show my students just how proud I am of them each day and I want them to feel proud of themselves, as well.

Internship Week 4

This week, I have incorporated a big goal of mine, not only this year, but the past two years.  In our practicum plan our tutor and participant year, I always wanted to include more hands-on activities.  I have found that most students seem to enjoy these, though not all.  This week I took over Science/SS/Health with one student.  This is a designated time for 40 minutes where I have only one student in the room.  This is the only time I only have one student, so I thought this is a great time to slowly incorporate hands-on activities.  I have noticed this student use a lot of manipulatives to aide her in computation and it really seems to help.  I thought to myself, if this student seems to learn kinesthetically, then why not incorporate more hands-on activities for her so she is able to learn and enjoy through movement in other subjects, just as she does in Math.  This week, I did a personal hygiene/health unit with the student and had a hands-on activity almost every day (it was a short week due to a holiday and a field trip).  I was very pleased with how well the lessons went.  The student seemed to absorb so much. I had nothing to compare her learning with (for example, did she learn better kinesthetically than she would have visually or auditory), but nonetheless she really enjoyed the lesson and gained the main point of what I was teaching.  She even applied what she had learned in conversation the next day and it made me feel very accomplished.  I felt that this will be a great approach to extend throughout the year.  In conclusion, this was a great first week of teaching.  The first couple weeks were observe and assist, but actually taking over one subject allowed me to see the prep work that goes into making lessons valuable and effective.