Field Experience Reflection

I have grown professionally as a result of this field experience because it taught me to be more discipline, how to plan for class instruction, the importance of classroom management, and it deepened my passion for teaching. Field experience taught me discipline. On Monday, Wednesdays, and Fridays I had to get up and be at my school by 9 am. Being that these are my free days I found it very difficult at first to get up and get to my school on time. I gradually got better and better at it, and soon I was getting up as ease every morning and making it to my classroom on time. When discussing this with my mother, who is also an educator, she congratulated me on my ability to make it to my school on time, but she also reminded me of the reality of teaching. Teachers are expected to be in place and ready to teach by 7:30am. This means I will probably have to be up by 5:30 every morning just to make it to work on time. She then said, You still have a long way to go and smiled. Field experience also taught me how to plan for class instruction. I learned that my biggest issue with teaching is planning. From watching Mr. Hodges take time to plan out every lesson and also made sure that the standard that the lesson taught was accurately covered. He always opened a lesson with a mini class discussion. Not only did it get the students involved but it also gave her a better idea off the previous knowledge students had about lesson that she was preparing to teach. My mentor teacher also incorporated technology in every lesson. This is imperative in todays classroom because students are now more technologically savvy, so this will make learning more interesting and engaging for students.

One of the first lessons I learned was the importance of classroom management. When I first began my field experience in Mr. Hodges class I instantly noticed how he operates her class in a student based atmosphere. The students were free to stand and move about the class. During instruction and work time I noticed some students standing. I soon learned that he allows this behavior as long as the students are on task. If a child gets off task or interferes with another student learning, the student is then called down by the teacher. While I dont agree with t his classroom management system for me as a future educator, it works for Mr. Hodges class. My passion for teaching was deepened through my field experience. Being able to come into the classroom to teach and help the students learn excited me. Seeing there happy waves and bright smiles as they greeted me every time I entered the door made my day. Knowing that soon this will be me working with my very own students in my very own classroom motivated me each day. I truly enjoyed my field experience.