Smith 1

Lauren Smith
Instructor Craig Findley
ED 2500
Full Circle Paper
April 10, 2015
Growth as a Teacher: Confidence in my Choice to Become a Teacher
From my experience in learning the elements of teaching in both the seminar and
practicum segments of the ED2500 course, I have discovered the responsibilities and traits that
are crucial in becoming an effective teacher. Through the ED2500 seminars I have had the
opportunity in learning the basic components teaching by seeing examples, participating in
discussion, and visiting classrooms. As the seminars enable me to fully understand all of the
responsibilities of the teacher, I have been able to develop my understanding of teaching by
working with my classmates and individually while creating lessons. Now having the experience
in creating lessons and lesson plans, I feel like I have developed a clear understanding of
organizing critical components within a classroom. While I have explored the basic elements of
teaching in the seminar, the practicum segment of the course has enlightened and enabled me to
observe the responsibilities and effective traits of the teacher in an active environment.
Being placed in a grade 1/2 class, my teacher associate has given me many opportunities
to observe her organization and practice of teaching, interact with her students, and teach small
lessons to the class. On entering the practicum portion of ED2500, I was both excited and
nervous. Although i have had experience working with children, I have not had much experience
teaching children or conducting lessons. Despite my nerves, I had confidence that I was going to
have an amazing time actively working in a classroom; I want to be a teacher and I couldnt wait

Smith 2
to be part of a real classroom. Even though this has been my first time being active in an
education environment, my T.A has trusted in me in becoming a fellow educator of the
classroom. I believe that my amazing experience in my practicum has been greatly influenced by
my T.A, as she has trusted me with being a fellow teacher in her classroom, and has been sharing
with me all of her advice on the profession on teaching. Throughout my practicum experience, I
have learnt more than how to organize, plan, and execute effective and engaging lesson plans, as
I have learnt that teaching students involves both curriculum subjects and life subjects. Being in
an active teaching environment has taught me important elements of teaching beyond what I
learn in the seminar. I have learnt and observed teaching methods, approaches, and lessons that I
have not seen before.
Experiencing both the seminar and practicum portions of the course, I have discovered
that teaching is more than instructing and managing a classroom. Teaching is investing the time
into planning creative and captivating lessons for students, it is the ability to assist and help each
student learn in their own capability, it is creating a safe and comfortable learning environment,
and it is knowing that there is more to teach than what is in the curriculum. Through ED2500 I
have discovered my ability to adapt to the teaching environment, and in that, my strength in
creating positive relationships with students and teachers. In discovering my strength, I believe I
have the potential in learning more in developing and becoming an effective teacher. This
ED2500 course has driven me further into my passion in becoming a teacher, and in that, has
inspired me to be a teacher who has all the traits we have discussed in class and more. When I
become a teacher, I want to integrate all that I have learnt both in and outside of the classroom.
As a teacher I want to create a safe, comfortable and fun learning environment for my students
and fellow teachers as I believe that a safe environment and approachable attitude will allow

Smith 3
students and teachers to respect my role as a teacher. I want to infuse creativity into my
planning, organization, and execution of lessons in order to engage me students in the process of
learning, enabling them to evoke their passion to learn. And most importantly I want to focus on
each students learning abilities, as I understand that each student learns at their own pace and
capability. As a teacher, I want to reveal my passion for knowledge through my enthusiasm, I
want to show my patience and understanding for each students learning ability, and I want to
display my kindness and approachability so that students and staff will respect my manner of
teaching. With my strengths and passion, I want to work on my management of the classroom,
and improve my instructive communication with students. I know how crucial of a role
communication plays in the teaching profession, and in that, I want to work on keeping myself
calm and reserved while instructing lessons; making sure I am making sense, and making sure
each student is fully understanding what I am trying to teach them. Five years from now, I
envision myself graduated from the education program at the University of Lethbridge with a
double degree in a Bachelors or Arts and Education. I see myself teaching English in a junior
high school, teaching creative lessons of literature, comprehension, and poetry, and managing a
safe and controlled classroom; encouraging participation and enthusiasm. English is a passion of
mine, and I really hope I get the opportunity to teach it one day, however, I know that there are a
lot of schools out there that need teachers for more than just English. Although I love the English
arts, I hope to experience teaching the vast and diverse subjects within any grade that needs me.
ED2500 has therefore allowed me to grow and progress into my dream and passion for teaching.
Although I am nervous for the road ahead, I have confidence in my decision to join the teaching
profession.