I realize that I did a lot of focusing on
how to make preparation for the CRCT more than just workbooks and review worksheets
and I truly believe my students did better because of this. No one, including
myself, wants to sit and do rote problems over and over again which is what
many teachers tend to do. I see that we were really able to celebrate the
amount of information we have learned and celebrate the success and hard work
we have put into everything this year. I also was proud of myself for truly
being a responsive teacher. I knew the types of activities my students enjoy
doing and I combined them with review in order to make the most out of our time
in class. I do wish that I had done a little more of this throughout the year
but I am happy that I was able to make the review engaging and meaningful to
them.
I feel as though this whole teaching thing
is starting to make more sense to me. Looking back over the past month I was
able to reflect on a month that was focused on reviewing and reflecting back
over the entire year. I know things aren't perfect and that I still have a long
way to go in order to be the “perfect” teacher, but at the same time I truly
for the first time feel like connections are being made and light bulbs are not
only coming on but staying on. I am excited to really take what I have learned
over the past two years and put the pieces together in hopes of beginning with
a more together, meaningful classroom next year. I am a little sad to think
that some relationships are just now blooming but I have to remind myself that
it is better late than never. Although this year has been full of struggles and
challenges I am sad to know that it is almost over.
Our Critical Pedagogy class has really
helped me a lot this year. I have never been a huge fan of reflecting, although
these past two years I have done more than ever before in my life, but that
class has really challenged me to think about how I view things or approach
situations and how my actions may be viewed by others. It has provided me an opportunity
to take a step back, think about the world from my student’s point of view, and
reflect on how they are viewing me and my intentions. I know that I have
entered into this job with the best of intentions but do they truly know and
believe that too? It is so easy to get bogged down with negative school
cultures, endless to do lists, outside stress and behavior, and it is hard
to step back and remind yourself of the big picture and what really matters.
This last semester has really challenged me to do that, not only as a teacher
emotionally but as a teacher in how I view academics.
I have learned that there is no script or
formula to being a perfect teacher but if you listen to your students and what
they are telling you, or not telling you, you can usually find at the very
least, a starting point. I can’t believe this year is almost over, and I can’t
believe I will be a third year teacher next year, but what I can believe is
that I have changed and grown immensely as a person, an educator, and a
reflector over the past two years. Being a teacher is all about understanding
and listening to your kids, they are the ones that matter, their voices should
be heard and we as teachers have the ability to make that happen.
I am definitely going to make sure I use the
types of lessons I have used this past month throughout the entire year. I am
also going to make sure that I celebrate my students and allow them to
celebrate each other because that is extremely important in building a strong
positive, classroom culture. I know that worksheets won’t work in my room
because my students are too involved and deep in their learning and they
deserve and need more than that. I want to prepare my students for the
real-world, not just standardized tests.
