I spent time reflecting on Student Teaching on the plane yesterday, looking over notes I wrote as I observed in the classroom and reflecting on what that looked like when I took over - this is only an excerpt and it's mostly an effort to have things in more than one place to remind me later. I also set out to list what stands out about each child...
Thoughts Now: I realize how many of those management methods I used and found effective. The most impressive is Mrs. Delaney’s use of “The Angry Teacher” – an almost alter persona that she can take on or off and allows her to use a firm voice and then let it go and give the students a second chance Although I never borrowed that technique while she was in the room, I did use “You are making me use my angry voice and Miss Stowe does not like to be angry, can you fix it so we can go back to learning?”
2/2
First Day as a “Student Teacher”
7:45 felt early, empty&weird, the classroom feels familiar which I am grateful for. Concerns: having to be the same, not being able to try new things, not having behavior under control, people watching me teach – people I don’t know . Hope: to love it, to show that I love it, to try new things, to instill a love for reading, to get involved and do new things with faculty, to meet other staff members
2/3& 2/4 I did story and lines to get a handle on management and take over small pieces at a time – I remember feeling inadequate and unprepared to have the class alone in the hall and worrying that they wouldn’t make me ‘look’ like a teacher. Kids can’t make me look like a teacher, I am a teacher and I want them to be and look like students!
That’s where my regular reflections end – everything else is in my binder….quick notes here and there, some days full reflection.
The kids? They’ve stolen my heart and will always hold a first grip on my heart. Especially Jaquan, Jaime, Johannes….the list goes on.
Marcus’ toothless smile and dirty shirts,
Diamond’s reluctant and obstinate behavior, but ear to ear grin
Nyzaiah’s awkward gait and teddy bear heart, bright blue eyes
Jeremiah’s sparkle and big broad shoulders, I so want him to stop being lazy
Emily’s need to be helpful, her love for her parents serving in Iraq, her concern for her friends but anger towards her brother and grandmother
Jaime’s need to fidget and hum and choose what he does but fantastic creativity and spontaneous hugs for me – the way I love him when everyone else gets frustrated by him
Kiara’s constant touching and itching but crave for love, her scabs, peeling lips, and sores
Maheshwar’s little accent and old man ways, love for learning and his friendship with Sheik
Joshua’s need to be affirmed and the time he asked if I was done talking,
Adrian’s dad every morning and how they said goodbye,
Abel’s brilliant attention and obsession with UConn,
Myrka’s little Latina attitude but sensitive side,
Melvin F’s cheeks and electric smile ( he gets it from mom) and how upset he would get during reading tests but he got more confident!
Sheik’s daydreaming and constant reminders for Sanitizer – how much he was like Ian
Asia’s love for her sisters and mom, sense of fashion and always needing me to unbutton her pants at the bathroom because she had a belly
Amanda’s initial shyness and inattention but eventual trust and love and how wonderful her parents were
Jaquan’s handsome face in the morning with a tie and sweater, breath-taking hugs, need to make me happy but inevitable inability to control his body
Melvin S’s need for space, brilliance, love for Mrs. Delaney and unbelievable attention to everyone else following the rules
Yeshera’s spontaneous need to hop off the carpet, love for books, little glasses, change in behavior after medicine for ADHD, great listening, and ‘strategy pillow’
Tylehjah’s heart-breaking shyness and fear of adults, sensitivity, inability to focus or answer questions, love for Hanna Montana
Xaymara’s sudden independence and love for the ‘light’ of learning, ability to read and work alone, and sensitivity regarding earning points and getting to the treasure box
From Reading:
Johanne’s backwards grammar and sweet face and daily “good morning Miss Stowe”
John’s backwards thinking but great answers and steady growth
.........to be continued
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