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.
Dude, that's crazy! Who knew a student teacher could be treated like a rock star by 160 students. And cheers to your AT for arranging that! You must have done a killer job! They must all be math wiz's by now. Nicely done!
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome that you're planning to continue helping out in your school on a weekly basis, the kids must be thrilled! When you get a response like the one you did, it really shows you just how much of an impact you really had on the students. My kids planned a surprise party for me, and went all-out on planning, decorating, food, music, gifts, etc. I was shocked. I don't know if it was the same for you, but for me the students' reactions to my departure and all their kind words and "thanks for helping me"s made me realize that I actually helped some of them a lot more than I realized. It's amazing how attached we get to our placement schools, and I hope like you that I'll be able to help out with mine in the forseeable future!
ReplyDeleteThe image of that scene of 160 students down the hall cheering for you brought tears to my eyes. How wonderful :)
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