Field Experience Week 3

What?

What have I learned this week? I have learned that I LOVE teaching! I have learned that it's not the end of the world if your lesson doesn't go how you hoped it would go. I have learned that sixth grade math isn't my favorite thing and that I need a review course on fractions and decimals. This week has been bitter sweet because it was our last week in the field.

So What?

I didn't think that I would become so attached to a class after just three weeks in the field. It makes me so sad to leave the class of sixth graders that Sarah-Jane and I have been working with. It has been a trial in some ways but one that I have learned from. I have learned that no matter how much you want to help some students, sometimes there is more that needs to be done to help him/her than you can do alone. I am thankful for programs that are available for schools to send students that are unable to control themselves in the classroom. One of the students that we work with has ADHD but isn't medicated because the medicine is too expensive for his parents to afford right now. I normally don't feel that kids should be medicated but I believe that this student should and life would be much easier for him, his parents and his teacher. He is going to be sent to a special school in Provo that works with students that have behavioral issues for 8 weeks and helps to teach them to be able to control themselves and to be able to function in society. It's so hard because when this student isn't misbehaving, I really think he's a great kid but when he's misbehaving, it's so hard to deal with him. He is famous for doing a "belly dance" while the teacher is teaching. She has his desk in the front of the classroom against the wall so that he is less of a distraction but sometimes I feel like it backfires. He's a pretty funny kid and sometimes it's hard not to laugh along with everyone else. He has taught me so much during this field experience! I have learned that you can genuinely like a kid even when you don't feel like you like him very much.

Now What?

I will really miss this class of 34 kids. I have so much enjoyed the time that I have sent with them. I have learned so much from them and from the teacher that we worked with. I have also learned so much from Sarah-Jane. She has been an awesome person to work with. It's nice to know that your partner is a hard worker and is as excited about teaching as I am! I am so thankful for the wonderful experiences that I have had and can't wait to do it again next semester. Now I get to use the things that I have learned from my experience to become a better teacher. I look forward to being the best teacher possible.

I hope that I have made a difference in the lives of these students. I know that they don't want us to go which really makes me feel good. We even got a little goodbye gift from one of our students! I love these students and the experiences that I have had teaching them!