Feelings About Student Teaching Experience

There are many things I can say about my student teaching experience thus far. I feel very blessed to have had two great cooperating teachers. I think both teachers differ in their management styles and teaching methods so I have gotten to see a variety of things. Also, both teachers have been very welcoming, they have given my a lot of opportunities to create some of my own lessons and let me try new things. I appreciate their flexibility and willingness to have me in their classrooms! After talking with other people student teaching, I know not everyone gets their ideal placement so I just had to comment on how I have enjoyed both of my teachers so far.  Also, I really appreciate having both of my placements at the same school. The transition from 4th grade to middle school was overwhelming and I think it would have been even more difficult if I would have had to move to a new school. I will say that I have liked having two placements though. It is so interesting to see how elementary school and middle school differ. The classroom management and ways you present lessons are similar in ways, but can also be very different. I feel like I have learned so much since the beginning of my student teaching experience, but still have so many things that I want to try and learn that part of my wishes I could student teach longer. I know I will be able to continue learning when I have my own classroom though. One thing I do wish is that I was getting a little more practice with EL learners. I have not gotten any experience with modifying lessons for EL learners and I think the reality is that when I do get a job I will probably have to do that. Another thing I want to comment on is the behavior at LH. For the most part the students are so wonderful! They are so polite and most of the students are performing above grade level. Even the middle school students say thank you to my cooperating teacher and I as they leave the room at the end of class. I know not every school I may work at will have students that are performing at such high levels and that are so well behaved. I have gotten a lot of actual teaching and curriculum experience because I have not had to deal with as much behavior management. I  know that other schools I go to may have lower level learners and more behavior issues and I hope I have skills to deal with that having not gotten that much practice while student teaching.
Overall, I am really enjoying my student teaching experience so far! The school I am working at is great and is filled with experienced teachers. I feel lucky to have been placed there. At the beginning of the experience I was very nervous and overwhelmed, but I can see how much I have learned and grown. I hope to continue to enjoy the next three weeks. My cooperating teacher is letting me get some practice with differentiation and small group work this week as we prepare for benchmark tests. I was able to look at areas students were still struggling with and create groups and lists of students that need work in each area. I am also practicing some math learning centers. I have been doing a lot of research on math learning centers, guided math groups and math differentiation and I really excited to take some baby steps in trying these things out with support from my cooperating teacher!