Teaching is a Learing and Reflective Professions
The idea that students are static beings who (especially across the years) never change is one that any teacher would tell you is ridiculous. Our students are constantly growing and changing, both physically, and mentally. From day to day, to year to year they are experiencing a great deal of change. In that regard then, it would also be rather silly to imagine teaching being static and unchanging. Besides from the fact that social studies as a field of study is constantly grrowing and evolving, we also can clearly tell that teaching as a field is constantly growing and changing. A teacher must be aware of this, and be constantly engaign in reflection, and learning. Some refer to teachers as Teacher-students, and students as Student-teachers, and I think this clearly shows the fact that teaching is a learning and reflective profession. We, as teachers, have to be cosntantly willing to listen, learn, and grow.
Assessment Analysis
In the other MSU class I was in for my student teaching year, TE 804, we had the opportunity to reflect on a writing assessment we had given students. We were to analyze three student responses, specifically the level and degree to which students with their response, displayed understanding about the topic/issue at hand. In my piece, I asked students to write about the ways in which the Holocaust did not just “happen”, how, using what we have learned about, students can see a slow progression and build up towards the Holocaust. Truthfully going into this assignment in History class was very nerve wracking. I was scared that my students weren’t going to take it seriously, but with my mentor teachers encouragement, we went through with the plan and I was blown away by my students work. However, in reviewing these assessments, I was better able to hone down my own question making ability. Seeing where my students struggled, and where they excelled gave me a lot to go off to further improve my question writing for the future. While this was but an assignment for MSU, it will nonetheless be a process I incorporate into all of my test’s especially those that ask for deeper thinking from students. You can also read the file here
Observations
Part of what I loved so much about student teaching was being able to see other teachers teach. Learning different styles of teaching was very eye opening. I made it a goal of mine to visit as many of the other social studies classrooms as I could. All of the social studies teachers at Okemos are very very nice and welcomed me into their classrooms with open arms. They walked me through their style of teaching, and crucially for me, why they teach the way they do. I was able to learn so much, from styles of teaching, to styles of interacting with students, to various expectations for students, and for teachers. My chosen artifact, is from one of the teachers I observed, they had planned a lesson for their world history class all about imperialism throughout the world. But it was imperialism as it compared to the empire from Star Wars. The lesson was incredibly well done, in part because the connections between imperialism and Star Wars are so clear cut. It really opened my eyes to the idea that history connects to so much of popular culture. I was able to take so many notes while observing and feel like my teaching has grown and changed so much from observations alone!
Journal
From the outset I wanted to keep a journal that I updated as regularly as possible, of various skills and tactics and ideas I had gathered while student teaching. My workflow has never really allowed for space in which to journal, so it took some getting used to but eventually I really liked using my journal as a way to reflect on the experiences I had. I would usually add to it after school, after I had gotten a nice meal and had time to think about what went well and what could have been better. If a day was particularly rough, I had a robust support system, ranging from obviously my mentor teacher, and other social studies teachers at Okemos, to my roommates (teacher candidates themselves), or my family who are all involved in education. I was able to work through a lot of struggles I had, in a way that I really believe was hugely helpful for me, but also for my students, as I would often make revisions based on my own journal entry. I feel confident that I could bring this practice with me wherever I go and continue its implementation for the betterment of my students and my own practice.
