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Reflecting on my Student Teaching Experience
Reflecting on my Student Teaching Experience
May 1st was my final day of student teaching. To say that I had a unique experience would be an understatement. Sure, there were plenty of challenges and uncertainties over the past few months, but I also had the chance to see how the education community comes together to help their students. I know how overwhelming distance learning has been for parents, students, and teachers alike, but seeing how much these teachers are willing to do for their students has made me even prouder to be entering the field of education as a Mathematics Teacher. I have learned so much over the past four months that I could go on and on, so instead I am just going to highlight a few lessons that stood out to me:
May 1st was my final day of student teaching. To say that I had a unique experience would be an understatement. Sure, there were plenty of challenges and uncertainties over the past few months, but I also had the chance to see how the education community comes together to help their students. I know how overwhelming distance learning has been for parents, students, and teachers alike, but seeing how much these teachers are willing to do for their students has made me even prouder to be entering the field of education as a Mathematics Teacher. I have learned so much over the past four months that I could go on and on, so instead I am just going to highlight a few lessons that stood out to me:
My first day of student teaching!
My last week of student teaching.
1. You never know who you will make an impact on.
1. You never know who you will make an impact on.
Throughout my first placement, I was so fortunate to be able to get to know and form relationships with all of my students. I learned about their wonderful personalities and interests, and did my best to make each class interesting for them. They really were such a wonderful bunch, and even two months later I still miss getting to work with them every day. On the last day of my placement, I received many farewell messages from my students. I was moved by a genuine and heartfelt message from one of my students describing her mathematical experience with me. I had not previously realized the significance of the impact I had on her. For me, this message was a beautiful example of how you never know the difference you can make in a student's life.
Throughout my first placement, I was so fortunate to be able to get to know and form relationships with all of my students. I learned about their wonderful personalities and interests, and did my best to make each class interesting for them. They really were such a wonderful bunch, and even two months later I still miss getting to work with them every day. On the last day of my placement, I received many farewell messages from my students. I was moved by a genuine and heartfelt message from one of my students describing her mathematical experience with me. I had not previously realized the significance of the impact I had on her. For me, this message was a beautiful example of how you never know the difference you can make in a student's life.
2. Always be ready to improvise.
2. Always be ready to improvise.
When I was a dancer growing up, improv was my least favorite part of class. However, improvisation quickly became one of my most frequently used tools while student teaching. No matter how much I prepare, or how thorough of a lesson plan I write, there were still things that I did not anticipate. During my placement, these “things” included a quite chaotic soda spill in a backpack that required moving desks and rearranging seats, and even a surprise “optional” assembly featuring a professional basketball player (how can you say no to something that exciting!). I learned how to manage situations like these, and how to adapt and switch gears when needed. These occurrences taught me the importance of being flexible and willing to adapt to the situation at hand.
When I was a dancer growing up, improv was my least favorite part of class. However, improvisation quickly became one of my most frequently used tools while student teaching. No matter how much I prepare, or how thorough of a lesson plan I write, there were still things that I did not anticipate. During my placement, these “things” included a quite chaotic soda spill in a backpack that required moving desks and rearranging seats, and even a surprise “optional” assembly featuring a professional basketball player (how can you say no to something that exciting!). I learned how to manage situations like these, and how to adapt and switch gears when needed. These occurrences taught me the importance of being flexible and willing to adapt to the situation at hand.
3. You never know when past experiences will come in handy.
3. You never know when past experiences will come in handy.
A few years ago, I worked for a company that sells recital tickets. I created many different videos for them, ranging from tutorials for buying tickets to sales videos for potential customers. When I was told that my second placement was starting distance learning, I immediately reached out to my cooperating teacher to ask how I could help. It turned out that she did not have the technology at home to create instructional videos, so I took on this part of lesson planning for our classes. Over the past few weeks, I was able to get to know the technology the school was using for distance learning, and create instructional videos using my iPad and laptop. I would screen record a lesson on my iPad, and then do edits and voiceovers on my laptop. Never in a million years would I have thought that my little side hustle making video tutorials would have prepared me for student teaching! This showed me how important it is to take advantage of opportunities that come your way, even if they are not directly related to your intended profession. You never know how the skills you learned will be useful!
A few years ago, I worked for a company that sells recital tickets. I created many different videos for them, ranging from tutorials for buying tickets to sales videos for potential customers. When I was told that my second placement was starting distance learning, I immediately reached out to my cooperating teacher to ask how I could help. It turned out that she did not have the technology at home to create instructional videos, so I took on this part of lesson planning for our classes. Over the past few weeks, I was able to get to know the technology the school was using for distance learning, and create instructional videos using my iPad and laptop. I would screen record a lesson on my iPad, and then do edits and voiceovers on my laptop. Never in a million years would I have thought that my little side hustle making video tutorials would have prepared me for student teaching! This showed me how important it is to take advantage of opportunities that come your way, even if they are not directly related to your intended profession. You never know how the skills you learned will be useful!
Despite the challenges I faced throughout the past four months, I feel truly grateful to have had the student teaching experience that I did. I had the most amazing cooperating teachers who provided me with guidance and mentorship, and formed relationships that will surely last beyond this semester. I was pushed to learn new ways to communicate and educate, and my love for teaching mathematics has grown and flourished. I have one more seminar next week, and then I am officially finished with my Master’s program. Soon, I will receive both my Master of Arts in Teaching Mathematics, and my NYS Certification. I will be certified to teach math 7-12 with a 5-6 extension. I am so thankful to my family, friends, professors, and cooperating teachers who have supported me over the past two years. As I write this, I am in the process of applying for jobs. Even though the future is filled with uncertainty, I am looking forward to whatever life brings me. I know, now more than ever, that I have finally found my calling.
Despite the challenges I faced throughout the past four months, I feel truly grateful to have had the student teaching experience that I did. I had the most amazing cooperating teachers who provided me with guidance and mentorship, and formed relationships that will surely last beyond this semester. I was pushed to learn new ways to communicate and educate, and my love for teaching mathematics has grown and flourished. I have one more seminar next week, and then I am officially finished with my Master’s program. Soon, I will receive both my Master of Arts in Teaching Mathematics, and my NYS Certification. I will be certified to teach math 7-12 with a 5-6 extension. I am so thankful to my family, friends, professors, and cooperating teachers who have supported me over the past two years. As I write this, I am in the process of applying for jobs. Even though the future is filled with uncertainty, I am looking forward to whatever life brings me. I know, now more than ever, that I have finally found my calling.
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