Last Day In Field

The most interesting thing that happened today in field was a conversation I had with my cooperating teacher. We were discussing the number of children who were either in crisis or had a crisis at home. Those were the words she used to describe the varying arrangements of family dynamics that could possiblely result in educational set backs. It was pretty disturbing. Without using any names she discussed about half of the students in each CD class had some type of crisis in their lives. She was very positive about how the children are progressing in school dispite these problems, and how one would not believe that a school of middle to upper middle class students would have this many problems.
I know that I would like to teach at a title one school, I have told my kids for some time that I feel like that is where I am needed and could do some good. However on reflecting on my conversation with my cooperating teacher I realize it does not matter where the school is, if they have money or not, or even if their parents are educated, all schools will have students who need extra attention in their education and in their social lives, what they really need is a good teacher.
I am so looking forward to the end of this semester because it is going to be a new beginning. I think if my clincal teacher allows me I will keep up this blog so that I can continue to see the changes I have made, it has been a good tool for me, even if no one is listening. Maybe it is the act of actually writing something down that helps. Maybe it will help me with my writing skills.
Have a great summer and stay in touch.

Teacher in training,
Heather

Field #9

Today I had a great time talking with the speech therapist about Joshua and his speech and what she is working on with him... more to come in my final Case Study... good information.

I also was able to watch and do the adept forms for Laurel's last lesson. It worked out great. She used popsicle sticks to make a red and white pattern and then create a US flag. Made me realize all the great thinks one can do with popsicle sticks in the classroom... and cheap...

Went from Harbor View to St James Santee to interview my teacher from last semester... stopped at home to grab a bite to eat and headed to Hersey to interview the principal and hopefully HR. Trying to tie up all the loose ends on all my projects to finish out my last semester in classes. Any day now I should be receiving a letter.... come on.... any day... where do I go from here?

Stop and Think

What strengths do you have for connecting and building partnerships with families? What traits might stand in your way? Who could help you overcome these obstacles?

I have many strengths that I believe will help me connect and build partnerships with families. The first strength I have is one on perspective. I to have a family with three children, so I carry with me the perspective of being a parent. I also have a child who has a learning disability. I feel as if the experiences I have had, will be useful in working with parents. In addition, I am a great listener. I feel one way to build the relationship with families is to be a good listener. I also am very loyal and private individual, which I hope will ensure a sense of confidentiality with my parents.

When working with families for various cultures, my experiences with their cultures are limited due to my lack of exposure. However, I have tried to change that by attending various cultural events in the community. I would also like to create an alliance with a teacher from a different culture who would be able to reflect with me on my approaches to various families. This person could be a mentor, that would be able to provide feedback to me so that I can ensure a positive relationship with my families.

I believe as long as I stay in contact with my parents and establish a positive relationship at the start of the school year that whatever hurdles are placed before us we can overcome them together.

Stop and Think

When you were a child, how might you have describes on "ordinary" person? What family structure would the person have? What skin color? What home language? What would be their work and economic class? Where and how would they have lived?

I can honestly say until I moved south at the age of eight I probably never saw anyone as different from me. Or maybe I was just so unaware I did not know that there were differences. However, when I moved south and we went to southern public schools my view of people changed. Not because of the differences in skin color, which I do not believe effected me as much as the poverty that I saw. I truly lived in a sheltered community (gated). My brothers and I were of the very few who took the bus to school, much less a public school. I learned later we were picked up first because they would not allow "those" children in the gate. (Unless of course their family worked at the Club House.) I rode on the bus for almost two hours, through Pin Point a Gullah community in Savannah, Bethesda a home for boys, and various "trailer parks" along Moon River. Poverty was something I had never seen before, it was shocking. It did not seem to be a black or white thing, it just appeared to be everywhere on the way to school.

I have no idea what my peer's family occupations were but they were poor, especially compared to the world in which I had lived. They were families similar to my own but they had far less than I had. I believe it changed me and my view of life forever.

Day Eight EDEE 636

I really enjoyed class today! I got to observe a great lesson by Laurel who used a read a loud, a power point presentation, and a manipulative activity with the students on senses. Then I conducted my lesson with the students about rabbits homes and comparing them to our homes. The theme this week is Easter. (Oh, and I shared my family pet with the class, Buddy our rabbit.)

The lesson made me reflect about one aspect of the program that I find might be lacking. We are so excited about the lessons we want to teach. We make connections with the students prior knowledge, we try to scaffold what they have already learned, and possibly introduce a new concept or idea in the process, while still trying to assess the students knowledge and cover all our own objectives on the adept form. It appears we are being to rushed to get our lessons completed, to get all the pieces in place in a short period of time. Do the students retain anything we teach, are we just going through the motions, for ourselves? I guess there is really no way to tell if we are making an impact. It really is a short period of time to be with everyone. Once a week for three hours. It makes me realize how I am really ready to be in a classroom. That way I will be able to reflect on my teaching in a more authentic situation.

Teacher in Training

Heather

Day...what day is it...

So I had a great day working with the students doing my assessment with six children. I believe the children enjoyed the assessment we did because it was done with pennies (authentic materials) and we counted them.
I do not have much to say about class other than that because I am trying to figure out what I should do with the information I currently am learning about. Do I write about it in a blog? Do I keep it to myself? Do I talk with the professor? Concerned but, not sure which way to turn. Once I figure it out I will write more.

Teacher in Training,
Heather Roller

Volunteering...

I learned after last semester that even though the teacher tells you she would like you to come any time she does not really mean it. So this semester I have taken the approach of being cautious. I believe it has paid off in spades!

I offered to come over the spring break just to help. I clarified, I was not the student just a parent volunteer, what ever she wanted me to help with I would. She explained to me how many teachers felt parents were there to look over teachers shoulders not to help, but to judge. I think this is a misconception by many teachers. Does it have to do with lack of confidence? Does it have to do with cultural differences?

Last semester with Dr. Bartel we read a book about conferences with parents and teachers, looked in the syllabus and I could not find the title I will have to email her and ask for the title. It was a very informative book about parents and teachers and the misconceptions that abound. I think every teacher should read it no matter what type of school they are going to work at. I believe it clarifies to the teacher how important the student is to the family, which is important. I think confidence is something no one can teach even in a teacher program. Yet, people skills and building relationships are a must for teachers, so that they can learn to become a partner with the families of the students they are teaching.

Teacher in Training

Heather Roller