Reflecting on Student Teaching

Honestly, I thought the Lord Jesus was going to return before I would finish my student teaching this semester. I mean thinking back to September when I first started at Westwood Middle School, I thought December seventh was ions away. However, the Lord works amazing wonders, Doesn't He. I walked into that middle school, a scared, small little person among "master" teachers, and those who even out rank them. Who was I but a dumb student teacher from Bethel University, who had a great knowledge of theory and basic ideas about teaching a classroom.

As I look and reflect on some of the experiences that have occurred during my second placement a few stick out.

First, I remember the first time I taught a lesson to my group of 11th graders. I was terrible, studdering, mumbling, and trying not to look like I don't know what I'm talking about. There were a group of students who kept talking. I had told them a number of times to please be quiet and pay attention. Finally, I had had it with their nonsense, I said very sternly to "Shut-up!" Wow, mistake number one = the entire class just went nuts.

Many of my other memories revolve around being very stern with the students. I had been trying to mold them into really listening to me when I spoke in a normal voice. If I only had about three more weeks, I probably could have achieved it. I have had to deal with fights, verbal arguments, and even complaining parents and I have pushed through it all.

I know feel like I am a teacher, and not just a small little person who is in the school. I really felt like I was a part of the learning community there at Cooper. I have the power to take over a class and turn it around for the better. Students will respond positively to me and want to continue to do well for themselves.

Wow, I sound like an inspirational speaker, I'm Not really one

Until next time when I reflect on my experiences being in a School in the U.K.

Just Two Weeks To Go

Well it's been awhile since I last posted on this blog, It is with my greatest apologies because I have been very busy with my second student-teaching placement. I am in an amazing 9th grade Geography classroom. I really enjoy the cooperating teacher that I am working with. He has been a great support of everything that I have done in the previous six weeks so far. This placement has been very good for me as a pre-professional teacher. I have been working very hard at my classroom management. I have had to work very hard to not let my "nice guy" gene show itself to some of these students. It's been tough. But I'm working at it.
The students that I am working with are great. They are the true reason why I am going into the teaching profession. I have been reminded of that much lately. I find myself starting to really care about the students that I am working with and it saddens me that I have to leave them in a couple of weeks.

Thankful that it's a Thanksgiving Break.

Later.

Being a 6th Grad Social Studies Teacher

If I had to sum up the last seven weeks of my student teaching experience at Westwood, the one word I would use to describe it is intensescaryithoughtiwasgoingtodiecrazyamazingfunnyenthausticstudentspositiveexperience. Ok,so I couldn't use just one word to describe me experience. I have learned so many things in my first seven weeks. A few of the highlights include:
1. Memorizing about 140 students names in almost 3 weeks.
1. Planning the majority of the lessons for my 6th grade Social Studies Classes
3. Being very much a part of parent-teacher conferences
4. Observing students understand and be successful mastering material that I taught them.
5. Hearing parents come to conferences talking about how much the enjoy having me in their class.
6. Establishing quality relationships with the teachers at westwood.
7. Learning, Laughing, and Reflecting on each and every class period.

Just two more days then its MEA Weekend. Yey.

A student's Comments

Setting: Student talking to parent on phone after school.

"I got I.S.S. tomorrow." (parents asks why.) "Because I punched a girl in the back of the head!"
(parent questions) "It wasn't my fault."

Walk'n Over Who?

Today, I had a student who came up to me and told me that she feels sorry for me and that I shouldn't let students walk all over me. The ironic part is that she is one of the very students who does not think that if I tell the class that I am not going to talk over them that that doesn't include her for some reason. hmm.... Ironic.....

What's Your Name Again?????

Well Being that I have a strong Greek last name, you can about imagine how students would want to say my name right. I introduce myself as Mr. Pappadackis. That's P-A-P-P-A-D-A-C-K-I-S. I have some students who try their darndest to say my name right. It's quite amusing at times. For instance there is one little girl who comes up everyday to me and says, "excuse me is it Mr. Pappa, Pappada, Puppadaktis????" She tries so hard. Then I reply smiling, "Pappadackis." "Yes you were very close this time." One time she called me Mr. Pteradactyl (which is a dinosaur)

Anyway you just have to laugh.

You Look Too Nice.

I believe this story came into being on the second day of student teaching for me. I was walking past another teacher and the comment made to me was. "Tomorrow I don't think you should wear a tie or dress shoes because if you do and you happen to walk past the principal. She will see you and then we all will have to look nice and wear a tie and dress shoes." I didn't know what to say at all. All I could think of was why wouldn't you want to look nice for work. The gentleman's sneaker shoes were very worn and looked very tacky with his baggy trousers. I just agreed with him and then laughed after he walked by.

Geez, I should dress down because he might have to look nice for work for a change.


well more stories to come.

God Bless
techy4god