Reflection #1
It’s Time to Be a
Grownup
As I begin my last semester, my student teaching semester, I
am realizing that it is time to be the adult in the room. I have always been the one to help the
students with their reading or with their assignments, but I usually am not the
one who is charge of those assignments.
Now that I have taken over two of my four classes, I am learning that it
is okay if I act like the adult in the room instead of the buddy who helps
out. The first example of this came when
I asked the students to quiet down so that I could give them their
instructions. They didn’t stop talking,
so I told them I would wait. One of the
students made a nasty comment under his breath.
I stood there for a minute and thought to myself, “that wasn’t so bad. It doesn’t really matter if they ‘like’ me
every minute of the hour, but it does matter that they learn to respect me.” I know for a lot of people that would not be
a huge epiphany, but for me it was a big moment. I find myself learning little lessons like
that one on an everyday basis and I find that fact exciting. I may be scared to death of the KPTP, but I
am growing as a teacher daily. At this
point, I am really looking forward to the end of the semester and being able to
look back on my growth throughout the semester.
Jeana,
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about being the "adult" in the room. It's funny to think of it that way, especially since we've both been adults for a good long time, but being an adult and being THE authority figure in the room are two different things. Sometimes it hurts a little to have to be hard on a student, but it's important to be able to do that. I guess it's a lot like parenting. Sometimes the right thing doesn't feel good, but it's important and valuable nonetheless.
Lara
It’s good to know that I’m not the only one anxious about the KPTP! As far as the little epiphanies of the day, however, you’re once again not alone. It’s easy to fall into the role of the assistant, especially when you’re still getting used to a new classroom. But I think you have nailed it and started off on the right foot when you realized that the students don’t have to like you every possible second of the day. I know I have to keep reminding myself of that same thing on occasion; I want the students to like me and like coming into class, but the fact remains that we are the teachers and we are there to help teach and engage the students in learning. If we don’t take responsibility in our role, who will?
ReplyDeleteBy the end of the semester, I’m sure we’ll all be able to look back on these first few days with wonder as to how we have come so far! It’s an exciting prospect! (Until then, we can nervously look over the KPTP guidelines as we begin filling out the templates wondering if we’re doing everything right, together!)