HOw do I compare?
During the spring of 2014 I had the privilege of creating my Professional Development Study (PDS) at Battle Academy. This experience was unlike any other in that I had the chance to work with professional teachers and administrators in a real world capacity. I was truly blown away at the experience and instruction that I got; with this experience, though, came a list of things that I need to work on as I become a professional.
The picture to the left is a brief snapshot of what the second grade classroom I was placed in looked like. Among many other things, this classroom organization is something that I will have to work on in my years to come. This environment is one that fostered continuous learning; every inch of the walls, windows, cabinets, and even desktops were covered in ways to learn. Even things as simple as the the color and decoration of the room were inviting and exciting. I wanted to mention this aspect of my experience at PDS because it is no doubt something I struggle with personally. I find it difficult and overwhelming to "decorate" a classroom for fear that it will not be one that fosters learning or one that the children will like. The classroom that I called my own at Inner City was certainly lacking in the aspect. It was more of a meeting place where we all just sat around the table. My experience with professionals certainly encouraged me to try things that I would not normally think would be acceptable. When I am in my own teaching classroom, I would love to do something similar to what this picture exhibits.
One other area where I lack in experience is in control of my classroom. In the second grade classroom at Battle I saw what it was like for children to be intent on hearing what their teacher had to say. This control and respect is something that occurred at times very few and far between for me at Inner City. Based on what I saw at Battle, I have to say that I lack a certain necessary confidence. This quality was one that I never thought I would struggle with in my own classroom, but was sincerely blown away at how much of it I lacked during my summer at Inner City. I will say that after the first few weeks I began to gain some respect, which leads me to believe that I have it in me, I just have to remember not to be so reluctant in sharing it.
The picture to the left is a brief snapshot of what the second grade classroom I was placed in looked like. Among many other things, this classroom organization is something that I will have to work on in my years to come. This environment is one that fostered continuous learning; every inch of the walls, windows, cabinets, and even desktops were covered in ways to learn. Even things as simple as the the color and decoration of the room were inviting and exciting. I wanted to mention this aspect of my experience at PDS because it is no doubt something I struggle with personally. I find it difficult and overwhelming to "decorate" a classroom for fear that it will not be one that fosters learning or one that the children will like. The classroom that I called my own at Inner City was certainly lacking in the aspect. It was more of a meeting place where we all just sat around the table. My experience with professionals certainly encouraged me to try things that I would not normally think would be acceptable. When I am in my own teaching classroom, I would love to do something similar to what this picture exhibits.
One other area where I lack in experience is in control of my classroom. In the second grade classroom at Battle I saw what it was like for children to be intent on hearing what their teacher had to say. This control and respect is something that occurred at times very few and far between for me at Inner City. Based on what I saw at Battle, I have to say that I lack a certain necessary confidence. This quality was one that I never thought I would struggle with in my own classroom, but was sincerely blown away at how much of it I lacked during my summer at Inner City. I will say that after the first few weeks I began to gain some respect, which leads me to believe that I have it in me, I just have to remember not to be so reluctant in sharing it.