So I've been thinking about how much time we have left-- or don't have left-- in our field placements... I cannot believe the semester is almost over. Which makes me think about the seniors who are in my placement classroom and I wonder this: how have I helped to prepare them for the "real world"? I'm afraid I haven't. But here are 2 of the major lessons THEY have taught ME:
1) That students, even the ones of the 18-year-old persuasion, have a use for teachers. In my CT's classroom, if I can say nothing else about my field experience, the students seek approval from adults. During my unit, over This I Believe essays, I was amazed at not only how many students consulted the teacher about their topics, but especially at how many of them came to me-- ME-- for advice and approval. Beyond feeling needed, which is obviously always a nice feeling, I felt that I mattered to and could make a difference in these students. Maybe I'm not supposed to say this, but I don't care about teaching English nearly as much as I care about teaching KIDS. I want the students who leave my classroom to SUCCEED-- not write a perfect essay.
2) Every single person can do well if he/she just decides to. I am not in an honors room or AP or IB... I am in a lower level English 4 classroom. And my kids are smart. While some may look at the students in this room and think they are unmotivated or unable to make it into more advanced classes, I see a group of students who may not be cut out for college, but they are ALL cut out for something great. There are students in the class who have seen and survived much more heartache than I can even imagine facing and there are students whose parents are doctors.
I have never been as interactive with students in my field experience as I have been this semester. There have been some discouraging moments but all things considered, I have had an incredible semester in my practicum. No matter how small and insignificant I have felt, having those students recognize and talk to me in the hallways between classes makes up for all of it. I have been so blessed this semester.
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