EDU 6949-Internship Week 1

Lucky for me, this past week was not my first in the classroom.  I met my mentor teacher almost a year ago when I did my first set of observations.  Ever since then, I have volunteered in her classroom.

This week, however, was different: I was immediately given more responsibilities and am now there all day, everyday.

I jumped into teaching math in the mornings with the 3rd graders (the class is half 2nd grade, half 3rd grade).  I have LOVED being able to teach after volunteering for so long.  The students are great and are patient with me if I get flustered or forget something–this is definitely a learn-as-I-go experience!

My impression of John Hay Elementary School has remained the same over the last year–it is an awesome place for learning and growing.  All of the teachers and staff I have met have been so nice and helpful.  They all understand the importance of teaching and how it can impact a child’s academic experience.  What made the biggest impression on me last April was the effectiveness of classroom management in Mary Lou’s 3rd grade class.  They knew exactly what was expected of them and were such self-sufficient, self-starting students that there was little to no supervision needed when they were working on their own.  It was so refreshing and inspiring to see just 3rd graders taking control of their academics.  I knew from that moment that I had a lot to learn from Mary Lou!

The beginning of this year started off great with a full class of eager 3rd graders.  However, a few weeks into school things shifted around a little.  Due to the larger than normal amounts of 2nd graders and John Hay, Mary Lou was asked to take on a joint 2nd/3rd grade class, relieving the 2nd grade teachers by dropping their class sizes.  Being the gracious person that she is, Mary Lou gladly accepted the challenge.  This also turned out to be a great situation for me because my ideal classroom would be either 2nd or 3rd grade!

I am ecstatic to see what the next 13 weeks will bring!

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