1. What education courses you have taken and are currently taking this term. Which one most impacted you and why?
Thus far, I have taken Child Learning and Development, Classroom Management, Social Foundations of Education, Measurement for Teachers, Health and Physical Education for Students, Teaching Math I, Teaching Math II, Teaching Science, Teaching Social Studies, Teaching Writing, Reading and Learning to Read, Children's Literature, ESOL I, ESOL II, Level I Internship. This term, I am taking Integrating the Exceptional Student, ESOL III, and my level II Internship.
I have learned and grown as person and educator through every class, the classes that have had the greatest impact on me have been my internship, because of how much I got to work with the students. The teacher let me jump in, tutoring students in small groups and one-on-one on the first day. On the last day, the students were crying to see me leave, and it was so moving to see what an impact I had in only one semester, only once a week.
2. What teaching and other educational support experiences have you had with children (include the approximate age/grade levels). This can include teaching, tutoring, babysitting, mentoring, etc… Which one most impacted you and why?
Through courses here at USF, I have tutored small groups of students in first and third grade, as well as a single fifth grade student. I also worked with a whole class of fourth graders. I have been babysitting for many years, for children of all ages. I have nannied the same two girls every summer for the past for years, tutoring them in the subjects they were weakest in. This has probably been the most impacting, because I got to see them grow up and learn so much over time.
3. As you look ahead to your internship, what are your expectations? Hopes? Fears? Worst nightmares?
I hope to learn and grow as much as a teacher and a person throughout this internship. I also hope to impact the lives of these students in a positive way, even though I will only be in their lives for such a short time. I expect the students to be somewhere in-between the first graders and the third graders I worked with. I am a little apprehensive, because I generally work with older students, but I look forward to learning how to work with second graders. My worst nightmare is getting lice. I had them TWICE when I was in elementary school, and that is not an experience I would like to repeat. I will attempt to avoid this by tying my hair back everyday and using hairspray.
4. Think back on all of the teachers you’ve had in your life. What teachers and what experiences stand out? List the behaviors and qualities of the best teachers you have known and explain why you think they were exceptional. Explain what they did that made them so memorable in how they taught.
I was blessed with many wonderful teachers throughout the course of my education, but the one that stands out the most is my AP English teacher from high school. He challenged us and forced us to think. I was never bored in his class, because my mind was constantly at work. I loath boredom in the classroom, and I want to challenge my students intellectually, and force them to think. I want to make learning fun for my students, just like it was for me in AP English.
