Cannot believe it is over

Well this is our final week, it feels as if it has been a long practicum but at the same time it has really passed quickly. Having the March break divide our time here into two definitely played a part in this. 4 weeks were really 5 and with the extra observation days this time around, I feel as if it has been more like a 3-month practicum.

The closer we get to the end of the year, the closer I can see myself sitting behind a desk in my own classroom with my own students. As much as I have learnt and benefitted from my time in another persons classroom, I am more than ready to be the one that the students know to be their teacher. To take a group of students from the start of the year to the end, with them knowing you are their one and only teacher, is an experience I cannot wait to happen.

That being said, I have to remind myself not too look to far forward because I am getting the best of both world right now. I get to interact with the students as if I was their teacher, without the added responsibility of being their teacher. I am of course ready for that duty, but at the same time it is nice to just see the good parts. It’s almost like an aunt or an uncle with their nephew or niece. When the child starts crying they can be passed to their parents.

week 3

Well in coming back from March break it is definitely a challenge to get the students back on track. It took most of the day on Monday to round up the excitement that the students were bringing back to the classroom. It was great to spend some quality time chatting with the students about what they did over their break. Again, this is a great chance to create a connection that extends beyond the classroom and more into their real life.

In sharing my own personal experience, the students get a little bit of insight into my own personal light and allow them to see me in a different light. This connection is crucial if a teacher wants to connect to their students. I know personally, that the type of teacher I wish to be is one that teaches students as much about the curriculum as I do about life. At the end of the day, we as educators are given the duty of preparing students for survival in our society. This can be accomplished through the curriculum, but the best chance is in sharing your own personal experiences with the students. From your own mistakes and success’ the students can gain some valuable insight into their own lives.

At this point of our school year, I can say that my own personal identity is slowly shifting to that of an educator. They way I look at things or interact with people is definitely leaning from the lens of an educator and this shift in my focus can only benefit my future students.

Week 2

Well, a week in and I can already feel the difference between a rotary setting to a core class. I feel as if I already know these students better than I knew the 160 students I worked with in my first practicum. One main reason for this is the fact that we have had 2 skating days since I have been at Humewood.

There is something to be said for getting to know students in the classroom setting, but it is a much deeper connection when it is out of the school and in a more day-to-day setting. It allows the students to see you as a person and for you to see them as people. It tears down the student-teacher dynamic to some degree. This is the type of teacher I want to be. I want to talk to the students like they are people first and students second. Too many times I overhear teachers talking to students as if they were children, which they are, but they are people first. If you talk to students like they are people, then we can slowly break down the pedestal that teachers are placed on and meet the students on an equal footing.

Along with the skating trip, I was fortunate enough to see a mini opera with them at the Wynchwood Barns called, “Sanctuary Song”. Again taking them out of the classroom provided this opportunity for a connection that wouldn’t have been available in the traditional classroom setting.

Week two down, two more to go.

Hello Humewood

Well it is hard to believe that our second practicum is underway. It is no real surprise, but this year really has flown by. It really is amazing how in such a short amount of time, your outlook on things can change. At the beginning of this year I was attempting to change my mindset to that of a student. Now, at this point, my mindset has changed once again from a student to that of an educator.

With the start of this second practicum, I can only imagine how I will once again change by the months end. But that is life, if we are not constantly changing who me are, than the world will pass us by. To be an educator you must first have a love of knowledge. You can’t tell students to get excited about something if it doesn’t excite you first.

This practicum will be a challenge in that it is in a core class, with subject areas out of my comfort zone. However, to be the educator that I foresee myself being, I must work on my weaknesses and turn them into my strengths. At the end of the day, it is the kids who matter, and if I haven’t given it my all not only have I sold myself short, but more importantly the students will suffer.

We shall see what this month has in store.

well that is that

Yesterday was the official last day of practicum, and sadder I could not be. I loved my time at Swansea. From my AT, to the student body, to the school culture, everything, it was a great experience.

For my last day, I was fortunate enough to travel to Karen Kain school for the arts to observe a co-teaching session with Daiva and Tara her AT. As I had participated in the co-teaching session at our school, I knew exactly how Daiva was feeling and could relate. That begin said, her and her AT did a fab job with their kids. Very enriching experience to be an observer for.

After the co-teaching session, my AT took me out to Koreatown for some Korean lunch. Great to get out of the school setting and get to know him on a personal level. Although, I would say that we have related on a personal level since the first STEP day I was with him. The rest of the afternoon was pretty laid back as the students were merely finishing off a project that they had the week to work on. It was nice to float around and chat with the kids while they were finishing up.

As the day neared its end David popped out for a second and then returned to take the students out for a meeting about the grad trip, I was working with one student so he told me to continue with him and they'd be back. A minute later he opened the door and told me to come out, I knew something was up. As I got out into the hall, he had arranged for all 160 gr 7/8 students to get out of class and sitting down the entire hall. Once they saw me they roared into applause. I know I see the kids every day, but to have them all in one place, I kind of forgot what 160 screaming kids looks like. The screams continued, then died down slightly and before it ended it roared up again, I felt like a rockstar. After they settled down, the class president came up and presented me with a giant card that they had all signed and thanked me for all I had done.

I gave a little speech to the kids about how much they meant to me and told them that I would be returning wednesday mornings, as my related studies course is finished. They all seemed pretty happy about that. So as much as practicum is officially over, I am still a Swansea Shark for the foreseeable future.

the end is near

Well here we are, with only 2 1/2 days left. Crazy to think how fast it has all gone by. My time at Swansea has been more than what I could of hoped for or even imagined. The teachers and students have been so welcoming and encouraging that it has really drive home my desire to be a teacher.

Since the week began and I have been reminding the students that I will be finishing on friday, they have been responded with a series of groans and "we don't want you to leave", which has really shown me that my presence, albeit short, has been very impactful on them. It has illustrated that if I can leave a lasting impression in just 3 short weeks, imagine what could be done with an entire year.

With that being said I am doing all I can to secure a position for September. I know we all are looking for that prized contract allowing us to do what I feel we are all well suited for. Whether it happens or not is up in the air at the moment, but the connections we have made and continue to make, should be such that will aide in any future placements. That being said I know my AT is well on myside. Constantly getting me into the princpal's eyesight and allowing her to come and watch me in action. Hopefully, the connections made in this practicum, coupled with the next and our internship should open a door just slightly enough for an interview. After that it is all on me. I am ready for the challenge and am hopeful for the chance to have my own classroom come sepetember. But we shall see.

first field trip

The 3rd week has started and another first has been checked off the list, the first field trip. Today the Swansea 7's and 8's took in a performance by the Toronto Symphony Orchestra at Roy Thompson Hall.

It was a sampling of selected works with a guest pianist. We have a small home room and with only 14 kids it was a fairly easy task to escort them via subway, to the show. However, that being said, I can see how this could be an arduous journey with many and often head counts. Thankfully today went well and no kids were lost and it was actually nice to interact with them outside of the classroom. It helps to remind them that I am just a person like them living life. I think it's important to level with kids often as at that age everything seems so much more life changing than a quiz that I have put together on my dining room table the night before.

With this being the start of our 3rd week, we need to realize that next week is our last week of this practicum and we will always think back at this experience for the good and the bad, but right now we are living it and we should enjoy it.