As the final week of student teaching comes to a close, I
would to take the chance to reflect on some of the experiences and professional
growth that I have embodied. It really has been a time of growth, both
professional and personal. There has been a lot of challenges and a lot of hard
work and dedication involved in these past months, but hard work will always pay off in some way in the future.
I would truly like to thank my two mentors at Oley Valley High
School, Mr. Deysher and Mrs. Rice. Both have been incredible to work with and
always were available for endless suggestions and support. I loved seeing them
both so passionate about their jobs and somehow finding an endless amount of
energy to complete all their ‘superhero-sized list’ of duties. Also, talking to
various students throughout the semester and hearing the positive impact these
two teachers have had on them has been so enlightening!
From the beginning of my semester to the end, the students
no longer intimidated me (I’m the boss!), I felt more comfortable being more
flexible in my lesson plans, I finally was figuring out an organization system
that was working better for me, and I could finally locate everything around
the ag department (as far as equipment and such, because it’s a big place!).
Also, I really appreciated some of the quirky things students would say or
silly things students would do. While I like to keep a strict classroom with
clear expectations. I actually enjoy when students are students and give
everyone a good laugh (within reasonable boundaries of course).
Tips for my future
classroom
-Set a clear late policy
-Determine an “IN BIN” location, so students aren’t always
handing me papers!
-Paperclips and sticky notes are some of your best friends!
-Review games are so much fun with a little candy incentive
-Make classroom management poster and refer to them!
-Change groups and seats A LOT so they get used to always
changing
Tips for my future
FFA advisor duties
-CDEs: Have student folders for each event that they must
return after the CDE is completed
-Have an FFA Chapter computer so that all FFA documents are
made and saved on it
-Remind 101: Teacher Group Text
-Ag Advisory Board: They will help you a lot!
-Have the secretary(s) write handwritten thank you notes for
everything!
-You are allowed to say “no” sometimes
-Be prepared to breath, eat, and sleep ‘ag ed’
In conclusion, I would like to thank my university
professors and supervisors for the preparation before this experience and the
support during. My visiting university supervisor was Ron Frederick, and I
truly enjoyed the days that he joined us. Thank you for all your encouraging
feedback!
Real life is here!
Yes, the time has come for
me to leave and move into the next stage of my life. I am
still figuring out those details at the moment, but it looks like I will leave
teaching to a later time in my life. While I had a good experience and I am
prepared for a classroom of my own, I am not at the position right now to
dedicate myself long-term to a program, which is so important. Because I am so
mobile right now and have a restlessness to travel, I am pursuing other career
options at this point. Someday, when the time is right, I look forward to taking
on the superhero responsibilities of an agriscience teacher :)
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