Learning from the students
The first week of teaching, as a teacher candidate, was busy and exciting. The faculty and administration were very welcoming and willing to answer any questions or concerns I had. My associate teacher allowed me to really take control of his classes so that I was able to learn with his guidance, how to plan units and lessons efficiently.
The students in the school were also very welcoming to me. I found it very rewarding when a student took the time to say “hi” and asked me how I was doing when I was helping to supervise at the school dance. I also had a student, who is going through a rough time, that was able to open up to me. She really just needed someone to listen and let her know that things would be okay. I feel, in those moments, that I had perhaps made some sort of impact on their lives and I am inspired by the fact that being a teacher involves so much more than just providing knowledge to the students.
I am hoping to become more involved in the school, and I have offered to help out with the girls hockey team. Although there are only three weeks left of placement, I hope to continue helping out until the end of the girls hockey season.
I am currently teaching a grade 12 Biology class and doing a few lessons in a grade 10 academic science class. So for now I am focusing on lesson plans and where to fit in all of my assessments and evaluations that will best help the students to learn. So far my lessons seem to be going smoothly and the students don’t hesitate to ask or answer questions which help me to assess what material they do and do not understand.
I am excited to see how week two of teaching will go!
