Onsite 1 - Avalon Park
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At Avalon Park I worked in two classrooms. From 8 am to 9:40 am I am with Ms. Booker. From 9:40 am to 11 am I am with Ms. Payne. Both of my teachers made me feel included in the classroom and gave me opportunities to work with the students.
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Resources available in the neighborhood |
Shadowing a Student
Professional Expectations
On the first day, the teacher would call the classroom a family, and when a new student arrived, she would welcome them to “the classroom family”. Both teachers also set the goal of becoming fourth graders on the first day. They continue to reiterate this goal to the students. The first week, she wouldn’t call on students whose hands weren’t raise, in hopes for the students to be able to get accustomed and comfortable in the classroom. After the first week. The teacher would encourage the student I shadowed to participate. At first, she wouldn’t, but after some time the student started participating more. There seems to be a community among the teachers. They often ask for assistance amongst one another and share resources among one another. Cultural Competency
In school, there are murals and bulletin boards of pop cultural references that have been used or adapted to education topics. In the community there are landmarks and streets named after historical idols. Some of the teachers and staff at this school come from similar backgrounds or experiences as the student. Civic Engagement
The teacher has circle time in the morning where she encourages all the students to participates. Everyday it is a new question for the students to answer. She passes a talking stick to a student who then once done talking passes it along the circle. She holds a brief conversation with each student to let them know she was listening. |
Grit and Growth Mindset
At first, when a problem is challenging, the student would stare at the problem. However, when I would offer help and work with her, she would work through the problem. Now she is attempting the problems that are challenging. The teacher and I would offer different strategies that may help make the problems easier to understand and complete. Instructional Best Practices
The student is given multiple chances to work on online sources, such as, Khan Academy, Xtramath, and smartyants. The student tries their best to complete the tasks and has fun on smartyants. The teacher has the student work with me in small groups. We do worksheets on the material that she needs further instruction with. I try my best to explain and offer different strategies they can use. The worksheets are not being graded but are meant for more practice. Challenge Assumptions
When I started onsite, I had expected the classroom to be like the environment I grew up in. In a way it was but it was also different. |
Student Interview
Teacher Interview
How do you think students learn? Students learn in a caring trusting environment. They must believe that they have the ability to comprehend and succeed in their lessons. You must begin where the student is, not what level or grade he/she is currently in. After the students achieves successes, then he/she must be challenged to increase his brain power.
How do you feel about teaching?I feel teaching is a calling, not just a profession. If you don't have the passion to ensure that the students are learning, then this is not a job you will enjoy. You must enjoy the teaching experience, or you will not see progress in your students.
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How do you keep going when something is challenging?It's like anything else, you can't give up when the going gets rough. Perseverance and hard work will pay off. You will need plenty of patience.
What keeps you interested in teaching?Observing my students learning more and more each day, watching them remembering the strategies to solve their own problems and building on the strategies and activities through the years. Building self-worth, and helping the students to realize their potential and value.
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Wonderings
Reflection
Professional Expectations - Working on this project has helped me build a relationship with my co-operating teachers and student. It prompted me to interview a teacher and student. It also helped me build my digital competency skills by making and formatting this website. Grit and Growth Mindset - This project promoted reflection on student to teacher interactions as well as how I interacted with students. Cultural Competency - This project promoted me to reflect on my identity and values. By having to post on instagram issues, events, traits and inspiration allowed my to self-reflect and question my past experiences. Instructional Best Practices - This project has helped me strengthen my technology skill in having to build a website as well as create an instagram. It promoted my observational skills by having my shadow a student and recording how they interact and take part in their classroom community. Civic Engagement - I was prompted to research resources available around Avalon Park as well as the historical figures the parks and streets are named after. |