Student Teaching Journal

Hello again, dear readers! It's time for another update on my student teaching adventure, and I must say that the last two days have been quite a rollercoaster ride. While yesterday was far from ideal, today brought both improvements and new challenges that have left me with a mix of emotions. Let's dive into the experiences of my classroom journey. Yesterday's Setback and Today's Strides To set the stage, let's rewind a bit. Yesterday was a particularly rough day in my student teaching journey. Today, on the other hand, held its own share of ups and downs, though it seemed like we were making progress in some areas. Overall, my classes were better behaved and more attentive, which was a promising sign. Setting Clear Expectations One of the first steps I took in today's classes was to lay out my expectations. I explained that from now until the end of my student teaching period, a new system would be in place to address behavior issues. It was essential fo...

Hello, dear readers! Last week ended on a high note with successful lesson planning and a taste of what it's like to teach a class all on my own. I thought I was ready to tackle a full day of teaching starting today, but little did I know what lay ahead. If someone had told me about the events of today, I would have thought they were making it up. Yes, it was that challenging. A Day That Defied Expectations The day started with a jolt when a student, within the first five minutes of my 2/3 hour class, uttered a disrespectful phrase in front of the whole class. It was an unacceptable behavior, and she was swiftly removed from the classroom. I thought this might be the worst of it, but I soon realized that the day had more surprises in store for me. The Afternoon: An Unraveling of Disruptive Behavior The afternoon, during my 6/7 hour class, brought a new set of challenges. It escalated to a point where half of the class had to be removed to allow the other half to focus on the ...

Hello, dear readers! It's been an eventful journey so far, and today marked a significant milestone in my student teaching adventure. I survived my first full day of teaching one complete class period, which might not sound like a lot, but it certainly felt like a big accomplishment. Let me walk you through the day, from teaching to feedback and some unexpected challenges. Teaching One Full Block: A Major Milestone Today, I took charge of an entire class period, and it felt like a noteworthy achievement. While it might not be a full day, handling one complete class is a substantial step forward in my journey as a student teacher. It allowed me to dive deeper into the teaching experience and take a more active role in shaping the students' learning. I continued to lead the bell ringer activities and shared the heartwarming tale of "I, Cosmo" with all the classes. These moments are what make teaching truly special - the opportunity to ignite young minds and instill ...

Greetings, everyone! It's amazing how quickly time is passing as I continue my journey into the world of teaching. Each day brings new opportunities and responsibilities, and today was no exception. I had the privilege of taking on a more significant role in the classroom, and I can't wait to share my experiences with you. All in a Day's Work: Bell Ringers, Read Alouds, and Library Trips Today, I took on an even more substantial part of the class schedule. I handled the first half of each class, which meant I was responsible for leading the bell ringer activity, reading aloud to the students, and even managing a trip to the library and back before their regular teacher resumed her duties. It was a thrilling experience to guide the students through the day's activities, from the very start to the middle of the class period. The bell ringers, designed to engage and stimulate the students' minds, allowed me to set the tone for the lessons and encourage their active...

Hello, everyone! We've just entered the second week of my student teaching journey, and it already feels like time is flying by. I can't believe how quickly this experience is unfolding, and I'm excited to share some highlights from my recent adventures in the classroom. The Daily Bell Ringers: Engaging Minds Right from the Start One of the most fulfilling aspects of my role is the opportunity to engage with the students through the daily bell ringers we do at the start of each class. It's a wonderful way to get their minds active and ready for the day's lessons. I must admit; it's a fantastic feeling to step into the teaching role and watch their curiosity come to life. Introducing "I, Cosmo": A Tale from a Dog's Perspective This week, I had the pleasure of introducing the students to our new reading adventure, "I, Cosmo." The book is a heartwarming tale centered around a 13-year-old golden retriever who considers himself the eldes...

TGIF, dear readers! It's been a long week, and I must confess that Friday felt like an uphill battle. I can't quite pinpoint whether it's the cumulative fatigue of the week, the time of the year, or just one of those days, but it was a three-cups-of-coffee kind of day. Despite the exhaustion, I had a lot on my plate, including an exciting project that kept me wide awake. Fighting Off the Z's: A Battle in the Classroom Friday came with its fair share of challenges. The tiredness seemed to be lurking around every corner, and I found myself constantly fighting the urge to nod off in class. Thankfully, a strong coffee supply and a little perseverance kept me on my toes. It's days like this when you realize the importance of those small rituals that help you power through. Preparing for "I, Cosmo": A Tale from a Dog's Perspective One of the most enjoyable aspects of my student teaching journey is being involved in lesson planning. This Friday, I was h...

Hello, dear readers! It's me again, checking in from the bustling world of middle school education. Today was one of those days where I got to take a more active role in teaching, and it was a refreshing change from simply observing and pacing around the classroom. Let me walk you through my day and share some of the highlights. Getting Hands-On: Teaching Mode Engaged Today was a delightful departure from the norm as I stepped into the role of a more hands-on educator. Rather than just being an onlooker, I had the opportunity to lead and support the students directly. It felt more relaxed and, I must say, rather enjoyable. The day started with the class continuing their work on papers. The teacher provided them with instructions, and my job was to ensure everyone was on the right track. I couldn't help but feel a little like a classroom detective, going from desk to desk, making sure students were where they should be in their assignments. If someone needed a nudge in the r...

Welcome back to the next installment of my journey as a student teacher at Central Middle School in Waterloo, Iowa. Day two is in the books, and I'm here to share my thoughts on what it's like to teach in a school that does things a little differently, along with my experiences in the classroom. Two-Period Blocks: A Different Approach Let's dive right into the unique aspect of teaching at Waterloo Middle Schools that caught me off guard. They use a scheduling system involving two-period blocks. In other words, one group of students remains in a class for two whole periods. To me, this is still a bit weird, even if I've mentioned it before. The concept is both intriguing and a little exhausting, to be honest. At first, the idea of having an extended time with the same group of students seemed like it might make the day move at a snail's pace. But, as I quickly discovered, this extended class time has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. The Pros and Cons...

Hey there, it's me, and I'm back! I'm reporting to you all from Central Middle School in Waterloo, Iowa, which happens to be my last stop before stepping into the "real" world. I can't believe graduation is just around the corner, and soon I'll have my very own classroom. The prospect is both exciting and nerve-wracking. As I embark on this final eight-week journey, I can't help but share my thoughts on how weird it feels to be back at my old middle school. Most of you might not know this, but I attended Central Middle School from sixth to eighth grade. In fact, some of the familiar faces are still here. The principal who welcomed me on my first day of sixth grade is still the head of the sixth-grade department. Even the detention lady is the same person I encountered during my middle school misadventures. Okay, fine, I'll admit it – I wasn't exactly a model student. I had my share of detentions, but in my mind, I was practically perfect (well...

A Letter that Warms the Heart In the realm of education, we often measure success in various ways—test scores, completed assignments, or classroom engagement. But sometimes, the most meaningful markers of success come in unexpected forms. Yesterday, one of my students handed me a letter that touched my heart in a way that no test score ever could. This simple yet profoundly impactful gesture serves as a poignant reminder of the power of teaching and the connections we forge with our students. A Student's Heartfelt Expression The letter reads as follows: "Dear Ms. J, These 8 weeks of school were fun. When school started, I thought you were going to be like every Bosnian teacher but were actually fun to have. Me, *, and *, only liked the class cause of you. I'm ready for Ms. N to teach, she seems grumpy. Hopefully, she is like Mr. M and is fun. But it was great having you." A Gentle Reminder of Impact As I read those heartfelt words, a wave of emotion washed o...

Embracing Imperfection: The Journey of Student Teaching As I venture further into the world of student teaching, each day brings its own set of challenges and triumphs. This Tuesday was no exception, marked by a blend of emotions and a valuable lesson in the art of self-reflection. Let me clarify right off the bat; this isn't a boastful recounting of how I've won the hearts of my students in just eight short weeks. Far from it. In this journey of becoming an educator, I've made my fair share of mistakes. But these missteps have been invaluable in shaping my growth as a teacher. The Bittersweet Struggle of Farewell One of the most profound challenges I've encountered recently is the impending farewell. My students are struggling to come to terms with the reality that I will soon be leaving. Now, please don't mistake this for a pat on my own back or a declaration of my teaching prowess. Instead, it's a testament to the deep connections that can form between ed...

The Emotional Rollercoaster of Farewell As I sit down to write this blog post, emotions are swirling within me, and it's a challenge to put them into words. You see, this is my last week of student teaching, and it's been a rollercoaster of feelings that I never quite expected. For weeks leading up to this point, I've walked into my classroom with confidence. I've been ready to tackle each day, armed with lesson plans, enthusiasm, and a determination to make a positive impact on my students. But this past Monday, something changed. It felt like my first day all over again. My stomach was in knots, and my mind was racing in a thousand different directions. The familiar confidence I had grown accustomed to seemed to have slipped through my fingers. The Heartfelt Farewell Announcement On that day, I gathered my students and made an announcement that weighed heavily on my heart: Wednesday would be my last day of teaching. I needed Thursday and Friday to ensure that all ...

TGIF: The Friday Vibe Fridays in a school environment are unlike any other day of the week. There's an unmistakable buzz in the air as students eagerly look forward to the weekend ahead. The promise of two days of freedom and fun fuels their excitement, and you can see it in their faces and hear it in their conversations. But as teachers, we sometimes forget that not all our students share the same enthusiasm for Fridays. Last Friday served as a vivid reminder of this truth. The Unseen Struggles: Behind Every Student's Story As educators, we understand that each student has their own story, a narrative shaped by their experiences, their families, and their homes. While we may not know every detail, we know enough to recognize that not everyone has a safe haven to return to after the final bell rings. It's a sobering thought, but one that underscores the importance of empathy and understanding in our classrooms. A Spectrum of Realities: The Diverse Lives of Our Students ...