Friday Reflections Part Two

1. Describe one thing that you learned: Probably the most important thing I learned today, while listening to the many different anecdotes and experiences of my classmates' first week of student teaching was how no two experiences were alike, that so much depended on the school, the grade level, the master teacher, etc., and that there is never going to be any definitive or authoratative "student teaching" experience. It was also useful to hear about anxieties, fears, insecurities and the like, since we all have these emotions. But it also seemed, by the end of the class, that there was a greater sense that it was OK for us to fall on our face, not only that it is expected, but that it is a necessary part of the process.

2. What questions do you have and/or what do you still want to know: I am still trying to figure out how a teacher balances the needs of individual students (particularly ones that are struggling) with the needs of the entire class (most of whom presumably are keeping pace with the lessons) and at what point does a teacher need to consider and favor the majority of the students.

3. What are you anxious about regarding student teaching/ teaching? I am still anxious, even more so, after the first week of classes, of knowing and remembering all of the names. Out of 28 students, I feel like I have six or seven committed to memory, and some of my classmates already know their entire roster of students. I feel it is very important, both as a sign of respect and acknowledgement, for a teacher to know all of his students' names as quickly as possible, so this is what I am signing up for in the coming week.

4. What are you excited about regarding student teaching/ teaching? I am really looking forward to our first class-wide book discussion (I am reading the same novel as the rest of the class) and gauging not only how proficient the kids are at reading, but also in terms of critical thinking and analysis of a literary text, since literature is one of my true passions in life (I have an M.A. in English & Comparative Literature, in addition to my law degree). I am also already anticipating some of the projects and activities that I will be creating when I start taking over the class.