Screenr Prezion Digital Reflection

At El Camino High School I was able to witness some rather amazing advances in technology integration. IPads were used in all the Math classes that I observed, as a way to independently and collaboratively, instruct and assess. I do feel that student learning was promoted by raising students’ level of interest in the subject matter. This entire campus looked as though it had recently been renovated with high tech classrooms in the building we occupied. Because I began the 3^rd trimester at MCHS, and arrived late, I was unable to learn about the class theme. Although, I do know that the theme of the whole school is one of core course completion, and it looked like the iPads were also facilitating students to review old concepts and get used to the long and standardized tests. Altogether I thought this was a very hands-on, user-friendly tool.

At El Camino High School I was able to witness some rather amazing advances in technology integration. IPads were used in all the Math classes that I observed, as a way to independently and collaboratively, instruct and assess. I do feel that student learning was promoted by raising students’ level of interest in the subject matter. This entire campus looked as though it had recently been renovated with high tech classrooms in the building we occupied. Because I began the 3^rd trimester at MCHS, and arrived late, I was unable to learn about the class theme. Although, I do know that the theme of the whole school is one of core course completion, and it looked like the iPads were also facilitating students to review old concepts and get used to the long and standardized tests. Altogether I thought this was a very hands-on, user-friendly tool.

Fewer Follies

Ahh. A moment to breath. As Clinical Practice II has progressed I have begun (as all student teachers do) to experience a whole new world. One of sleepless nights, surreal days, and looming deadlines; the life of a teacher (or something like it).

            “Can I go to the bathroom?”, “How many points is this worth?”, ”I wasn’t here last week, what did I miss?”, ”Are you serious?”

            As I transition from Student to Teacher I find myself with more questions than answers à questions from my students and questions from myself. I’ve embraced our programs emphasis on “The Reflective Practitioner”, as skills that “just come with time” can be greatly improved through brief sessions of honesty.

            Today I am happy to claim that I have witnessed myself (through self-progress monitoring) achieve more of my academic teaching goals. Many lessons still end with me obsessing over those things that didn’t work out as well, but I’ve learned to make a note of them, move on to the next task, and revisit the downs and ups at the end of the day.

            2 of the skills I have found to be the most important for me to focus on were some of my least favorite before this semester. Being able to juggle a multitude of tasks and getting students to follow directions were never abilities I gave much thought. However, now that I’ve been teaching a nearly full class schedule, I analyze and refine the ways that I create and separate information throughout notebooks, on computers, and in my head. Likewise, I spend much of my time trying to say and pace student directions in a way that will steer them in the right direction and away from my repetitive reiterations. 

Digital Reflection on Prezi

Sentimental Synopsis

Wow! THE TEACHING CREDENTIAL PROGRAM is almost complete. It’s been a wild ride this year. The past 9 months seem to have flown by and lasted an eternity all at once. From classes at CSUSM with Annette, Anne René, Jannis, and Jeff where I learned the tools of the trade and met some awesome “teachers in waiting”, to my intensive and rewarding Student Teaching experiences. Throw in work, TPAs, CSETs and getting engaged and it was a rather hectic year; if teaching doesn’t work out I’ll try professional juggling.

My Student Teaching experience this semester is going well, as I am getting better at:

Quickly grading papers

                        Planning Activities

Designing worksheets

Communicating with parents

Effectively using my “free time”

Pacing lessons (quickly reading Analog clocks)

Picking the right “battles”

Managing mountains of paperwork

Getting enough sleep

Etc.

All in all, I look forward to possibly having my own classroom and teaching more students in the future, while I think back to all the teachers I’ve ever had --> with a newfound and profound respect.