Student Teaching- A road to a thicker skin | How deep dives have changed my teaching |
Just reading Tony Wagner's article reminded me of my awful experience as a student-teacher. The experience I had while practicing my teaching involved being kicked out of a classroom because I was writing notes on great strategies the teacher was using. That teacher informed that I had been copying his methods. I was to confused to understand what was going on while the teacher pointed at the door in front of the 6th grade students. The next day, I was in the room with a long term sub learning how to teach in 4th grade. Teachers must be willing to teach preservice teachers and have patience. I had to be confident, and continue my journey as a learner despite of being humiliated. This helped me be a stronger person and a teacher, and continuously remind myself to grow as an educator and help others along with me. This profession is about sharing, collaborating, and talk about how to improve education. | Now, I have the opportunity to constantly learn from my PLN, and from my colleagues. I am not afraid to ask questions, to admit mistakes, and reflect on them. Our principal has a method of observing our teaching. Similar to Wagner's example of Learning Walks, My principal Dr. Winters observes us using Deep Dives. He focuses on our teaching for the entire day. He can observe how you interact with students, how students are independent, and he even participates in lessons sitting on the floor and partner talking with students. He has recorded how I teach, and how my students react to my teaching. During this process, in 3 semesters, I have improved on classroom management, teacher talk vs student talk, and also stating the objectives of my lessons to my students. I am still in the path of becoming a better teacher, but I wouldn't have seen my growth if it wasn't for my own reflections and looking at myself teaching. It wasn't easy to have someone in your classroom be part of your teaching through the entire day. Today I feel more confident, and embrace how I am being "evaluated" by myself to become a better educator. |