Job Shadowing, THE EXPERIENCE!

     FEA is the Future Educators Association. Every year FEA holds regional, state, and national competitions for students that want to pursue a career in education. Since I was eligible to compete this year, I chose the "Exploring Education Administration Career Competition".

     The competition consisted of job shadowing my school's administrators for a total of eight hors after that a typed reflection paper, administrator interview form, and verification form were required to be submitted. 

     The job shadowing part of the competition was very nerve racking because I had to approach my school administrators and ask them if they could help me complete this project. Of course, they were all very kind and accepted to help me with anything that they could, they were also very praising of my dream to become an administrator sometime in the future. Getting to spend time with them during my job shadowing experience allowed me to have a better insight into the everyday routine of an administrator, it also allowed me to see a different side of them. They turned from the "strict and reserved" principal/vice principals to the "funny, relatable, and easy going" principal/vice principals. 

     During "the experience" I had to follow two of my vice principals and principal around the school and  take notes about their routines. We did classroom walkthroughs in which got to see my principal interact with the teachers and listen to their suggestions or classroom updates. I was happy to see that she had and amazing relationship with all of the teacher, I am thankful that she took time out of her busy schedule to help me complete this project. My vice principals were also very nice an relatable, they were very supportive of my project. They allowed me to see the interact with students, over the phone and in persons, they were very much involved with school activities. 

     I really enjoyed my experience with my administrators, I was glad to see that they to the time to help a student out with a project like this. I am thankful for their participation and cooperation, hope to be able to spend time with them again!

Closure

      My last day was bittersweet. I really enjoyed spending time with my students, it was something that I looked forward to every Tuesday through Thursday. That day when I entered the room I was aware that it would be my last day with them. Most of them asked, "Is today really your last day?" I replied in a sad voice "Yes." They would tell me "No, school isn't even over yet. You can't leave us!" It made me so sad. But thankfully we were painted flower pots and watching Finding Nemo, that made us forget about it being my last day. When it was time for me to go, most of the kids were too into the movie and didn't realize that I was leaving. I got today goodbye to some of them but not all of them. I am going to miss my kids, overall this was an amazing experience. My internship made realize how much i love working with children.

My Animoto Video

Three more Monday's...

     At the beginning of my internship I was quite nervous about teaching a real second grade classroom. My first day at Foster Village made me realize that teaching in an amazing job. Getting to experience my class' ups and downs made me admired teachers much more. Everyone believes that teachers decide to take the easy career job. But after interning for an entire year i can assure you that teaching is one of the most difficult jobs. Just picture teaching rowdy children day after day, putting up with their attitudes and temper tantrums. Now picture the exact same scenario but except this time you have a really bad headache. No matter how they are feeling teachers have to deal with their students.
     But you don't just have to deal with the students, along with your students come their parents. Some parents are understanding and very helpful. If you tell  them that their child wasn't behaving in the classroom they say "I am very sorry. I will have a talk with him/her when we get home. And again I am very sorry". On the other hand, there are those parents that take their bratty child's side. Instead of apologizing for their child's action they may say, " I am one hundred percent sure that my child did not do what you are accusing him/her of doing. They are very good at home and I am sure that they would not at like that at home. You probably just don't like my son/daughter.
     After my interning experience I am still considering becoming a teacher. I enjoy working with kids and love that teachers are the ones that give people tools to success. Even though teaching has it difficulties I believe that teachers are rewarded by their students' success.  I really enjoyed being and intern and I hope that I will return to see my students in higher grades and see how they have grown over the years.

Smart Technology

 

   This week we learned more about the use of "smart technology" such as iPads and Smart Boards and how they are of great use inside classrooms. As technology's popularity increases students' interest for learning begins to fade. The use of technology is becoming an essential need in classrooms because it prevents kids from falling asleep.

    Here are a couple of iPads apps that would be handy inside and outside the learning field, both apps are found in the mathematics section of your curriculum map. The best part is that both are free!

1."Rocket Math", this math game requires kids to solve math sentences and point out specific shapes, coins, or numbers. 

2."Pizza Fractions: Beginning With Simple Fractions", this math game introduces fractions to kids, your students are required to determine the fraction of pizza that the chef has.

   Now here is a Smart Board lesson that could be useful inside your second grade classroom. This lesson would be most useful in during your science hours. The name of the lesson is "Plants", it teaches your students the parts of a plant as well as their life cycle.
   I hope you begin to use more technology in your classroom. Remember you don't want your students falling asleep during your lessons!

Financial Literacy Can Pay Off!!

   Present day educators believe that by including real life situations in everyday lessons students will become more engaged. By teaching students how to better spend their money teachers prepare them for a better economic future.
   Classes like economics, career connection, BCIS, and some math classes help students prepare for a better further, they help them deal with problems they might run into such a problems dealing with money. Even though these classes are helpful they aren't taught as in depth as I would like them to be. Instead of just sugar coating lessons these teachers should show their students all of the money problems they may deal with when becoming adults.
   These classes are useful but instead of just showing all of the good points they should also show more of the negative points that students should learn to deal with. I fee semi-comfortable with my ability to manage money and finances I would feel more prepared if I were taught a financial literacy curriculum in   younger grades.

Click here to view Mrs. Stevens' blog.

What Teachers Want Parents to Know

"The truth is, a lot of times it's the bad teachers who give the easiest grades, because they know by giving good grades everyone will leave them alone."-Ron Clark


   Today's education system is disappointing. We are loosing great educators because parents rather agree with their six year old instead of believing an educated professional. Parents need to understand that there are always two sides to their children's stories. Instead of immediately taking drastic action against the teacher like contacting lawyers. Many parents now days decide to take teachers to court because the teacher "left a red mark" on their child's face after trying to rub away marker. Parents also need to understand that all of their complaining and made up excuses drive teachers away from the education field. No one wants to teach bratty children that have parents who make up excuses for them tin order to keep them from being punished.

   "Parents as partners rather than prosecutors"- This means that parents should be a help for teacher rather than another struggle that teachers should deal with. Instead of doubting teachers you should believe that what they are saying is true. If they say that your child was being a distraction half way through story time  believe them instead of questioning them. Remember be that support system that back up your child's teacher. If they say that you have no respect for their teacher they will never respect their teacher.

Click here to read Ron Clark"s article.

The Rules

  In The Ron Clark Story a teacher known to raise students' standardized testing scores relocates in New York. After having perfect classrooms with students willing to learn, Mr. Clark find himself having a hard time at his new school. Going to school is not a priority for these new students, most of them have to watch their sibling while their parents are at work or are just used to spending time in the streets; earning money.
   Mr. Clark sets a set of rules for his students in hopes of making them become interested in school. His number one rule is "We are family". I believe that this rule is very significant because both students and the teacher should treat each other as if they were family members. This week my students have been having a difficult time respecting each other. After remembering this very important rule I sat everyone on the carpet in a circle and explained to them why this was our new class rule. After I had them work together during our reading time. Teamwork demonstrated how we are all family and how we should respect each other.
   Here are my set of class rules:
1. We are a family.
2. Treat each other how you would treat your mom/dad or sister/brother.(With respect)
3. Keep your hands to yourself.
4. Treat your teacher as the highest authority in the classroom.
5. Remain seated until you are given directions.
6. Raise you hand before speaking & do not interrupt others while they are speaking.
7. Keep rude or unnecessary comments to yourself.
8. Ask others for permission to borrow their belongings before taking them.

Click here to view The Ron Clark Academy website.