All Good Things Come To An End

My preclinical has (unfortunately) come to an end.  It was such a bitter-sweet day, because my classroom was a big family.  Even a couple of my students mentioned that our 5th grade class was one big, happy family and they are going to be so sad that I'm leaving this family.  I, too, am going to miss this class so much because it was the first class I had ever been a part of.  There were many different personalities and talents in this classroom, and each and every one of them brought different traits to share.  It was such a great class to be involved with because not only did they learn, but they had fun doing so!

As a preclinical student, I will get to experience many different classrooms through the next two years here at Benedictine University, and I'm sure there will be many more opportunities and learning opportunities for me.  This was just the start to the rest of my life, and I would not have had it any other way.  There is so much to learn and many new and exciting experiences to happen in the future!

Teachers have the privilege of making their classroom into a family.

Retrieved: http://www.ysgolpenybryn.com/classpages_list.asp?Section=404

The Next Step

Today in my preclinical I was able to teach my first lesson! There was a lot to do in preparation, and I'm glad I had this opportunity this early in my preclinical experience.  Looking over the lesson, I was able to plan out what I was going to tell the students as well as incorporate background knowledge and tie this lesson into their current assignment.  

During this experience, I was able to learn and grow in my understanding of teaching a classroom.  The students were very cooperative and were respectful in giving me their full, undivided attention.  I learned so much about how to present information in such a way the students will be able to remember.  Seeing this, I was able to adjust and realize what I can do to improve.  I'm so glad I got to have hands-on experiences like this!

Organization is key when teaching a lesson!

Retrieved: http://government.mrdonn.org/lessonplans.html

Bulletin Boards and More!

Teaching is not an 8-5 job where you clock in and clock out.  It requires much extra time and effort, especially as a first year teacher.  One thing that I was able to experience at preclinical today was planning and decorating my own bulletin board.  I had a lot of fun making it because I love designing and being creative, however it took a really long time!  I give teachers so much credit for what they do because not only do they plan the lessons each day, but they also have to make their classroom a fun learning environment.

The bulletin board was created by a couple preclinical students and I, and our topic was PARCC testing.  The students have just started testing for PARCC, and we decided it would be beneficial to have some words of encouragement for them.  The phrase was "You've Got The Spark, Good Luck On PARCC!"  As the students walked by, they got really excited to see us creating a new board!  Many of them commented to us saying how much they liked our creativity.  It was a great resource to get them motivated for PARCC testing.

The bulletin board I created at my cooperating school.

Retrieved: A photo I took on my own camera.

Dealing with Diversity

In the classroom I am doing my preclinical, there is a wide variety of diversity among the students.  From ethnicity to learning styles, these students come from many different backgrounds. There are four students who have a learning disability, and it is even with two boys and two girls.  The students in general are mostly low income, as most of the students are given breakfast in the morning and lunch during the day.  All the students get along great, no matter what differences they experience with each other.  This also helps keep a positive learning environment within the classroom.

It is so fun to see these students interact!  When it comes time for group projects and activities, the students put aside their differences and work cooperatively together.  The classroom has a high level of respect for one another and this happens both in and out of the classroom setting.  When I become a teacher, I want to be able to successfully incorporate this into my classroom as well!

I love how this picture incorporates the many different elements of diversity within a classroom.

Retrieved: http://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/family-education/article/1459384/insight-fresh-strategies-needed-handle-classroom

Preclinical: Day One

Today I had my first experience in the classroom!  As a preclinical student, I am able to observe and help my cooperating teacher several times a week.  This program is a class I take through school, and helps bring everything I learn in class to life in a real-world setting.  Walking in today, I had no idea what to expect.  I knew I had 5th grade students, but that was it.  They welcomed me into their classroom with smiling faces and positive attitudes.  I was very fortunate in getting a very respectful class!

From always being a student in the classroom to now being the teacher, there were a lot of things I had to get used to.  First of all, I had to get used to students calling me "Ms. Hanna."  That was probably the hardest one to get used to, because up to this point I have always gone by my first name.  I also had many students that I needed to get to know!  There were about 30 stories that were waiting to be heard in that room today.  Lastly, I needed to use my "teacher voice."  Normally, I am a more reserved person and tend to keep to myself.  This one was fun!  I brought myself out of my shell and saw a new side of myself.  There were many learning opportunities today!

The first day of school is always exciting because you get to meet the students for the first time.

Retrieved: http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/local/education/collection_d9fedf3c-d2e6-11e1-b02a-0019bb2963f4.html

Choosing My Passion -- Not Just My Career

As a child, you are asked the famous question "What do you want to be when you grow up?"  For me, that answer has always been a teacher.  No one could persuade me otherwise and I always knew this would be something I wanted to do the rest of my life.  As I grew older, the passion grew deeper and now, as I enter my second semester of my sophomore year of college, my answer is still the same.  I attend Benedictine University and am majoring in Elementary Education and minoring in Spanish.  Teaching is more than a career for me, it is my passion.

I believe I was placed on this Earth to make a difference in someone's life.  As a teacher, I can do just that.  The primary focus of teaching is for the benefit of the students, and to see their success will be my reward.  I will be teaching the future doctors, nurses, and engineers of this world, and I will have a year to influence and help them find their own passions, just as I had found mine.  Being a teacher requires a lot of outside time and sacrifices, but I am willing to make this my lifestyle.

There are a lot of responsibilities as a teacher, but with the right balance it can be done successfully.

Retrieved: http://www.broadwaybaptist.org/event-calendar/2015/5/31/family-ministry-teacher-appreciation-lunch