Final Blog

Mary Fayta

5-2-21

2 strengths going into FE and now:

 A strength I believe I had going into field experience would be that I am good with working with kids. I think that I am good at talking to kids and making sure they feel heard. A strength that I have gained from field experience would be being able to teach remotely. When starting out in this program I never thought that I would be teaching students through a computer screen. But I think this experience has given me a lot of technology skills that I needed.

2 areas that you improved:

I definitely think my teaching improved this semester. I can tell that my teaching improved a lot since field experience 1 and 2. I really took in the feedback on both my lesson plans and my teaching and I think that Dr. Kelly and Dr. H's feedback really helped me to reflect on my lesson plans and teaching and improve. I also think that I improved in my lesson planning as well. I was impressed with my grades this semester and I am proud of how much I have improved on both creating lesson plans and teaching.

2 areas that you still need to work on:

I think I still need to work on creating in person lesson plans. I am so used to teaching remotely, I think I need to work on finding fun activities to do in person for my lesson plans. In addition, I think I need to work on my time management skills. Managing your time is very important as a teacher and I think I need to work on that. 

One area I still need to work on is:

I think I need to become more knowledgeable on creative ways to make lessons. I also need to look into different programs to use for teaching. I struggle to think of engaging and fun lesson plan ideas. I also do not have any prior teaching experience other than field experience 1 and 2.  So, I am not familiar with the different materials and programs out there. In addition, because I don't have any teaching experience it has been hard to come up with lesson ideas and activities for the students. So, I think I need to do some research to find other ways to teach online (other than Google Slides). To help me with this I have started a list of lesson ideas throughout this semester to help me later in my career.

most fun experience:

The most fun I have had this semester is being with the children in the classroom and having the opportunity to help them with their work. I loved the casual moments in the classroom where a student  needed help with something and I got to talk with them one on one and help them figure out the problem. I also loved the spur of the moment conversations I had with the children.

most challenging experience:

The most challenging part of this experience was creating the lesson plans and preparing to teach. Because of the amount of homework I had this semester, it was a struggle to create each lesson plan especially for a remote setting. The number of activities is so limited when teaching remotely it was hard to come up with engaging and fun lessons. It was especially difficult to come up with an idea for my science lesson. Because science is so hands on I wasn't sure what to do with the kids so that the lesson would be fun and they would learn the content. The lesson went well but it would have been a lot easier to come up with an in-person lesson. It was also hard to find the time to practice each lesson the night before. I need to work on my time management skills.

best lesson taught and why:

I think that my best taught lesson was my social studies lesson. I thought that my activities built off of one another well and they were engaging too. The students really liked the book I read and they interacted with the story a lot. I think that the students really liked my Jamboard activity and I thought that I did a good job of interacting with the students as well as teaching the content throughout this lesson

worst lesson taught and why:

I think that my worst taught lesson was my science lesson. I don't think I practiced this lesson enough so I ended up forgetting a lot of the questions I wanted to ask the students. I also think that my exit ticket was a little difficult for the students. I think that I also could talked more with the students during the craft. I could have talked more about why we see the different moon phases and I could have asked the students more questions.

3 things you learned specifically from your CT

1. Things never go as planned, so just learn to roll with the punches

2. It is best to get your Master's degree when going into teaching

3. To help kids understand why it is important to pay attention in school, my MT taught me a strategy she uses from the first day of the school year. She tells the students that school is their job, just like everyone else goes to work, they have to go to work too. And just like everyone else gets paid they get paid too. But they are not getting paid with money like everyone else, they get paid with knowledge. I thought that was a really great way to teach students why school is important. I know kids are always saying that school doesn't matter and it's not important. But, I think the way my MT explains it helps to put things into perspective for kids.

3 things you learned about yourself

1. I can teach remotely and I do well

2. I need to work on the pacing of my lessons

3. I love working in a school, I love the school environment 

3 things you learned about children/students:

1. They are great with technology

2. They usually know more (or less) than you think they do

3. All students enjoy learning, and if they say they don't you aren't teaching the right way.

3 things you learned about the education field:

1. Things can change at any moment

2. There is so much more that happens before the children arrive

3. Not every day can be super productive

what you wish you had done differently:

I wish I had gotten to know the students more. I really enjoyed the times I got to talk with them and interact with them. But, it is really hard to get to know the students remotely so I wish I had been able to talk with them more and really get to know them. But it's hard when it's not your class too.

what you are excited about in terms of student teaching

I am excited to get more experience in the field before actually finding a job. I'm also excited to really see what it 's like to work as a teacher every single day and to form a bond with my students and with my MT as well. I'm also excited to hopefully teach in person, as I have never actually done that before. 

what you are most anxious about in terms of student teaching: 

Because I have never taught in person before, I am both excited and nervous about that. I am worried that I will not know how to teach in person because I have only taught online. I am also worried that I won't be able to come up with fun and engaging in-person lesson plans. But I'm sure my MT will be there to help me along the way. In addition, even though I am excited, I'm also nervous to teach every single day. I don't know what that's like, and I think it will be a challenge to come up with lessons for each day and to make them fun too. But, again I'm sure my MT will be a huge help!

Week 14 - Its a wrap! 😊

By Brenda Johnson

Thursday, April 29, 2021

Today was the  last day of field experience! Last day at CSK as a student teacher!  I cannot believe that we are at the end of this very tough and unique semester, thank God! This my final blog of the semester! I have so much to talk about! My day began with a very pleasant surprise. I walked into the room to find a huge and beautiful poster made by the students and my MT for me. Seeing the students’ handprints and messages to me melted my heart. It took plenty for me not to get too emotional. During Morning meeting, we had a dance party for me. It was so much fun! Both remote and in person kids participated in this activity. I was dancing and almost crying! I went everywhere with the kids. I joined them in PE, I worked out like I was being supervised lol.  One of the students made me a picture. When it was time for the students to go, I felt a very tiny tear trying to escape my eye. I caught it!  I promised students that I will come find them sometime, and I will!

One major strength I had going into FE is connection with students. I have always found it easy to make connections with students and this really helped me throughout this semester. Another strength is flexibility. I think that I have been and still is very flexible. There were times when I had to make quick and sudden changes, I had no trouble doing those.

I believe that in course of this semester’s FE I have improved in the knowledge of the use of technology in the teaching. This semester, I got introduced to and used technology apps and resources I never even knew existed. I have also improved in questioning. Before FE 3&4, I did not really ask students questions that encouraged critical thinking. In fact, I kept get a poor score in this area and it always came up at my post lesson conference with Dr. Kelly. As we got closer to the end, I started asking those higher order questions.

Two areas I still need to work on are timing and classroom management. I am still learning to pace myself when I teach. I find myself spending too much time in some areas and parts of my lesson. I believe that with more practice, I will et better at classroom management.

One of most fun experience I had in this FE was celebrating student’s birthday in class. It was always a special time filled with singing and dancing. The celebrant shared things about them with the class. I learned a lot about the students during this time. I also enjoyed teaching students about Nigeria, my country of origin. My math and Social Studies lessons all had to do with Nigeria.

The most challenging experience I had in this FE was navigating new technology. I am  not tech savvy at all, so in the beginning it was a struggle to keep up with all the technologies. I think that  virtual learning made it even more challenging since we had to do everything digitally. Now my story is different! While I am not a tech guru yet, I know my way around tech tools especially those used in teaching.

The best lesson I thought was my Science lesson. There are so many reasons this was my best. Student engagement and participation was excellent. I had fun teaching students about states of matter. It was the first time I used authentic materials in my teaching this semester, so everyone was interested. I was asking those higher other questions, I felt like I knew what I was doing and was in control. I was so happy during and after that lesson. I think that the worst lesson I thought was my social studies lesson. While the lesson went well, there were hitches here and there. I was teaching a lesson on Nigeria and China and was going to share some real Nigerian food with the class. My document camera refused to work. I was supposed to read a book in during direct instruction but did not because everything just got mixed up, so I was all over the place.

Things you learned specifically from your MT

1.     Love students first, teach them second

2.     I cannot always get it all right, its ok to miss it sometimes.

3.     Do not be too hard on yourself, you are doing great!

Things you learned about yourself

1.     I can do anything; I just need to believe in me.

2.     I thrive under pressure

3.     I was born to do this!

Things you learned about students

1.     Students are always ready to learn

2.     They want to know that they can count on you

3.     Just as they are easily distracted, it takes very little to get them interested.

Things you learned about the education field

1.     It is hard, harder than I thought

2.     It is also rewarding. The smile on those innocent faces makes it all worth it.

3.     As a teacher, you will be spending a lot out of your pocket

Thinking back, I wish I quit one of my jobs and gave more time to schoolwork. Having to work two jobs, take care of my family (four children), and do school was very difficult. This semester was extremely stressing, I barely slept and had no time at all to take care of myself. This affected my performance generally.

I am excited to meet my CT and a new set of students. I will be student teaching in a 1^st grade classroom so, that is definitely going to be interesting.  I am anxious to actually begin student teaching. I worry about what kind of relationship I will have might have with my CT: will she be available and supporting like my MT this semester. I hope that she is ‘nice’ and open.

Week 14- Last Day & Final Blog!

Jarrell Harris 

Final Blog

 

Thursday was such a quick day, I taught my final lesson and taught out of my comfort

zone, connecting my MT’s hovercam to my laptop. The lesson ultimately turned out

to be a success. My MT allowed me to walk the students to the bathroom, I am happy and glad to know that she has grown to trust me overtime. In addition to that, the students have immensely become accustomed to me. In celebration of my last day, we went out to the playground and soaked up some sun. Following that, my MT allowed to me to come in and lead a game of charades, it was soooooo FUN! The students truly had a blast! The students did not want me to leave, it was bittersweet. My MT and the students presented me with a padlet on the smart board, with: notes, GIFs & drawing from the students. The students expressed how much they would miss me and how they didn’t want me to go. I shared some tears, I am truly going to miss my MT and certainly, the students. I was even able to leave my MT and the students with encouraging words and lots of gratitude! 

 

• 2 strengths going into FE and now

Going in-

1.     Communicating and collaborating w/ MT      

2.     Easily connecting with the students

Now-

1.     Swifter at developing lesson plans 

2.     More flexible and adaptive 

• 2 areas that you improved

1.     Balancing work and time-management 

2.     More savvy with technology 

• 2 areas that you still need to work on
1. Differentiating 
2. Posing questions that students
• most fun experience

• Doing a Go Noodle dance with my MT and the students for a first time, whew, it was funny and an unplanned workout.

• most challenging experience

• Teaching under deep thoughts of my father passing, but with I did it

• best lesson taught and why

• Best lesson: Teaching ‘comparing fraction’ using my MT’s hovercam, the students enjoyed it and participated heavily
• Why? It stretched me out of my comfort-zone

• worst lesson taught and why

• Worst lesson: Science lesson (Earth Environments)
• Why? I had numerous of laptop notifications popping up on my screen while I taught, in addition to that, I had a very intricate time share my screen and making content visible for the students to see

• 3 things you learned specifically from your CT
1. How to simultaneously cater virtual and in-person hybrid students when teaching 
2. How to grade assignments on Google Classroom
3. How to virtual manage students 
• 3 things you learned about yourself
1. I am more willing than I thought I was to learn from other teachers  
2. My heart is even more for the ECE field, it makes me happy teaching kiddos!
3. I have the ability to manage more than I thought I could manage 
• 3 things you learned about children/students
1. They are like sponges and have the ability to learn with no limits 
2. They are fully capable of bringing knowledge to the table – that I can learn from
3. They mean well and simply need proper guidance 
• 3 things you learned about the education field
1. It is a very demanding field
2. It requires and deserves dedicated educators
3. One big family of diversity (I love it!)
• what you wish you had done differently

• I wish I would have purchased a monitor, this would have helped the flow of my teacher smoother 

• what you are excited about in terms of student teaching

• I am super excited about impacting little ones, meeting families as well connecting with more seasoned teachers!

• what you are most anxious about in terms of student teaching

·      I am most anxious about teaching properly and accurately

 

Week 14 - Final Goodbyes!

 Paulina Kedzierski

April 29, 2021

Thursday was a final day observing first graders at Coretta Scott King Elementary School. The day went by just like any other, except the students were anxious to get the goodie bags that I brought as a goodbye present. So the students don't get distracted during instructions, I decided to hand out the bags at the end of the day. At the end of the day, my CT and I exchanged goodbye gifts. I thanked the students for allowing me to teach them and for taking part in my instructions. At last, with a blink of an eye, the semester is over.

Two strengths going into FE would have to be patience and remote experience from the last semester. Having three children of my own, quickly I have learned to be patient, and take the time to explained things, sometimes multiple times, instead of getting upset with them. Next, last semester I had the opportunity to observe toddlers and preschoolers in person and teach remotely. This experience allowed me to ease some anxiety over teaching remotely. The two areas that I improved since the beginning of the semester are the knowledge of more teaching strategies to instruct the students and more confidence in my abilities to instruct remotely and in person at the same time. After a second lesson teaching both ways, I have noticed that I was more relaxed and aware of students around me and on the screen. With that in mind, I still need to work on two areas that I struggled with while instructing, accommodation and differentiation, and engaging students in problem-solving and critical thinking. I am getting better, and I am aware of what I should have changed in my lesson to get proficient in those areas. I am hoping that student teaching will allow me to perfect the two areas. 

The most fun experience would have to be the activity from last week, Earth Day. We decided to create an Earth Day card. While watching a video showing us how to fold the paper quickly, my CT and I noticed that remote students got frustrated and sad that they could not fold the paper correctly. We paused the video, explained to students that it is OK to get confused, and we started from the beginning. At last, we completed the activity, students had fun, and so we did. The most challenging experience for me was helping a student struggle with every aspect of schooling because he was not present for remote learning. While my CT instructed the rest of the students, I would stay with this particular student and help him with math, reading, and writing. I just hope that next year, when everything goes back to somewhat normal, he will get the help he needs. 

The best lesson taught would have to be Social Studies, Wants, and Needs. The students participated and complete flipgrid where they had to give examples of wants and needs from their lives. It was so much fun reviewing the videos. While doing so, I have noticed that all students could give me many examples for want and needs. They even justified their choices, which was fun to listen to. However, the worst lesson taught must be the science lesson, Vibration, and sound. I knew that this lesson will be difficult, but I decided to proceed with the lesson. The lesson was too difficult for first graders. The hands-on experiment that I wanted students to work with was fun for children, but they had difficulty understanding the reasoning behind the experiment. I will have to work on my science instructions!

3 things learned from my CT

• Each day, take the time to talk to your students about anything they want to share. 
• Stay on top of your daily tasks so you do not fall behind.
• As much as you love your students, you have to be firm when it comes to time and students wanting to play. 

3 things learned about myself

• I can quickly just to changes placed upon a teacher. 
• I can be patient with students, especially with a student who has behavioral issues. 
• Before, I was afraid that I will not know how to act when students misbehave, but quickly I learned that the skill comes naturally. 

3 things learned about the children, students

• First graders are smart children, eager to learn despite the behavior issues that they possess. 
• Children want to be heard and will act so that they can be heard. 
• Children want to be recognized for their successes. 

3 things learned about the education field. 

• The teacher must be flexible and adapt quickly to changes that can happen quickly. 
• Teachers wear many hats!
• Students look up to you, and you must set a good example.

One thing that I wish I would have done it differently is my science lesson. I wish I would listen to my inner voice when it told me that this lesson is difficult. Once I was teaching the lesson, after I noticed that is not going well, I should have change gear the lesson to something less difficult. 

I am nervous about starting my student teaching, but at the same time, I am excited to be in a normal setting with a classroom. Finally, I am anxious about instructing a classroom with twenty or so students. 

Week 14: Last Day!

Mary Fayta

4-29-21

  This is the last day in my MT's classroom! Although I am excited to finish up such a hectic semester, I will miss my MT's students. It was such a great experience being able to teach them and they have been such a joy to teach and to interact with. I will miss them for sure! I will also miss my MT, she has been such a great support to me. She has been so kind and she has taught me many things that I will take with me as I move forward with my career. I also taught my last lesson today! My last lesson was a science lesson on the moon phases. I read the students a book and I also showed them a video as well as explained why the moon phases occur. Then we completed a craft. We drew the earth with all eight moon phases around it. Then to finish the lesson the students completed the exit ticket found below. I thought the lesson went well and I was happy to finish my final one!

   The rest of the day went along as usual. The in class students followed along with what the online students were doing on their Chromebooks at their desks. The students had indoor recess so they got to play with hula hoops in the classroom which was a lot of fun. My MT also wants the students to learn to type properly. So I helped her register all of the students onto a typing website. It looked really cool and the students seemed to enjoy it. At the end of the day I thanked my MT for all of her help and her great advice and I said goodbye to the kids. And just like that the semester was over.

Here is a picture of my exit ticket.

Week 14- Last Day

 Yasmine Mustafa

5-2-2021

It is a bittersweet feeling that we are now at the end. It is so crazy to think that not to long ago we were worried that we would not be meeting the students. I was super nervous in the beginning thinking that we were going to have to be in person while teaching remotely too. I have learned so much and I am truly grateful for the opportunity that was given to us.  

Going into field experience I would say a strength of mine was being confident around students. I have worked with children ages 3-6 for about 4 years. I felt that this helped build my confidence a lot. It helped me both online and in the classroom. A strength I gained now is teaching hybrid and in person. I honestly never thought I would be put in a situation like this but, I am glad I was. It taught me so much. I am also not that great with technology but, I feel that now I learned a lot that I can bring into my future classroom.

Overall, I feel that I improved a lot on my teachings. In the beginning, when I taught my first lesson I did not do so great, now that I have taught my last lesson I got a 100%!! I definitely felt the improvement teaching my last lesson. Given all the feed back, previous lessons, etc., it truly did make an impact on my overall improvement. Another area I would say I improved on is actually engaging both virtual and in person students. I feel that in the beginning I kind of just focused on the virtual students since I only had three students in person. As the term went along I saw my self just naturally including and engaging with both in person and virtual students. 

Two areas that I think I need to work on still is my pace and time. When it comes to my pace I feel that I go super fast teaching my lessons because I always feel like I am going to run out of time. Doing this it makes me forget to include parts of my lessons and not engage students entirely the way I anticipate. It is something that I am continuously working on. Time and pace is very important because it literally can make all the difference in student's comprehension and overall learning. 

• Most Fun experience: Getting to create break out rooms and read with different students of different levels
• Most challenging: Dealing with technology 

The best lesson I taught I feel was my second whole group literacy lesson. I was able to make it a literacy lesson all while focusing on earth day as well. I read a Dr. Seuss book that the students enjoyed so much. I was able to ask higher order thinking questions. Lastly, the students were able to create persuasive letters and read them out loud. They were so excited to read their out loud, I absolutely loved it.

I feel my worst lesson was my Social Studies lesson. It was one of the very first lessons I taught while we were still remote. I was still adjusting to google classroom and a lot of my interactive activities were not working for the students and I felt myself immediately loose confidence. I let minor inconveniences affect my entire lesson. I did learn from my mistakes and improved throughout lessons.

3 Things Learned From CT:

• Not everything goes as planned/ always have a plan B
• Different classroom strategies that help when teaching hybrid
• Never show that you lost your confidence it affects both you and the students. Keep pushing

3 Things Learned About Myself:

• I am capable of way more then I think
• I have a passion for learning new things everyday
• I do a great job and I am in the right field 

3 Things Learned about the education field: 

• New things pop up everyday
• Not everything goes as planned
• There will be bad days

What I wish I done differently, I would say honestly getting to know my MT more from the beginning. We grew such a great bond towards the end of the semester that I wish we would have started sooner. She truly is such a great Mentor and has taught me so much that I will take on. 

I am super excited to start student teaching! I am excited to meet my CT and the new students I will be working with! I am also excited to set up the classroom and make it feel like my very own!

I am most anxious about being in a Kindergarten classroom. I really enjoyed my second graders but, I know that it will be such a great experience! 

One of my favorite pages from the book my MT and students created for me!

Week 14 - All Good Things Come to an End

May 2nd, 2021

By: Kate Drish

What a whirlwind of a semester! As I look back now, I remember feeling very unsure and nervous in the beginning. I was wondering how in the world I was going to get through this semester navigating an online/hybrid learning environment. As I'm writing this I remember how timid I was as a teacher candidate, not feeling confident enough to be able to overcome the obstacles and teach meaningful lessons to the students. This was one of the hardest semesters but I'm happy to say now that I am a better teacher because of the scholars, my MT, these courses, and our professors. I am prepared for anything that's thrown my way! Student teaching- bring it on!!

Going into FE and still presently, I feel as though I did well on my lesson plans and making them engaging for students. I also feel that a strength of mine is being flexible, as this is an important characteristic to have as a teacher. (Note: I can credit the fire drills, tornado drills, change of lessons, and my MT leaving to lead the class by myself, in helping me become more flexible).

One area that I think I improved on is researching and incorporating effective teaching strategies both in my written lessons and when teaching. Another area I feel I improved on is asking higher ordered questions to promote students' thinking. This helped me a lot during those important whole group discussions.

Two areas that I still need to work on are accommodations and differentiation. These areas have always been a struggle for me, and I'm glad to have shown some progress towards this semester at getting better. I hope with student teaching, I'm given more opportunities to learn and practice this skill so I can become the best teacher I can be.

My most fun experience in FE is when I taught my math lesson. Coincidentally, this was the lesson I was most worried about because I, myself, am not good at math and have often hated learning and teaching the subject. However, because I was able to get the students engaged by putting stickers on my face, I received the best feedback on that lesson. The most challenging experience during FE was during my first literacy lesson, where I found out my students had already read the text I was going to go over. This is also when my MT left school and I was asked to lead the students. This was challenging because I felt unprepared and nervous.

My best lesson I taught was probably my second literacy lesson regarding informational texts. This was the best because the students showed a lot of interest in the book I chose, and did very well on their independent practice. My worst lesson I taught was probably my first literacy lesson because of the circumstances that were at hand.

What I learned from my MT:

1. Never doubt yourself, either way the students will learn something. Be confident. 👍
2. Avoid feeling teacher's guilt. You won't always engage each and every student and that's OK.
3. Set boundaries! Teachers are only capable of so much.

What I learned about my myself:

1. I can overcome anything, as long as I work hard.
2. I need to stop doubting myself sometimes.
3. I am meant to be a teacher! 💗

What I learned about the students:

1. They crave to be taught new and exciting information.
2. Education for them is hard right now, so be patient.
3. They still love stickers. 😀

What I learned about the education field:

1. Teachers will never get the appreciation they deserve, its important to know why you started.
2. Students rely on you for a lot of things, even beyond academics. 
3. Its HARD, but so rewarding.

I'm anxious to start student teaching and hope that my MT is cooperative and supporting like mine was for this semester. I've been placed with Kindergarten so I know that will be an adjustment from my now second graders. I'm excited to be one step closer to my degree and teaching license!