last personal observation

My second experience going to Saint Albert the Great was even better than the first. From observing I got a sense in developing my thoughts on if I teach what I would want to teach or what grade level. From observing Mrs. Beskid’s first grade class, I thought first grade would be a great fit. But then, by chance, I was able to observe Mrs. Halle’s kindergarten class for a little bit of time. I fell in love with the kindergarten class. During this visit of Mrs. Beskid’s class my primary goal was to focus on the setting and her attitude to the class.

Setting

• Even though there was the normal school desks, they were lined up into table formations. This allowed to kids to interact with each other. Mrs. Beskid encouraged interaction so this structure of desks made it easy for her students to communicate.

• Crafts, vocabulary, rules were plastered all over the walls. There was no white space everything was colorful
• Students were allowed to have water bottles on their desks. Mrs. Beskid even encouraged the kids to drink their water to stay hydrated to they could learn their best
• The overall setting was very comfortable. Books, student’s artwork or information on the knowledge was all over the room. There was so many encouraging posters, funny ones and serious ones that made a good mixture of different views. The room was a very child welcoming.

Mrs. Beskid’s Attitude/ Beliefs

• “ Work hard then relax after” was something she stressed
•   Was assertive, not aggressive
•   Would not allow bad behavior
•   Made sure she was clear with her instructions so the students would know what they are doing
•   Wanted to teach common sense in with lessons
• Constantly practicing manners and being kind
• Tied in other lessons with the one learning. Example: tied in parts of a plant with the students poetry lesson
•   “Never give up”
•   Believed greatly in organization
•   Has clear goals
•   Emphasizes not to stress out

Overall, Mrs. Beskid is an amazing teacher. She incorporates many different ideas or techniques into her teaching. She never just has her students sitting and taking notes. She constantly uses creative ways to learn. She does not overload her students with so many ways that they get confused or frustrated. Participation is never an issue in her class. I believe her students adore her so much they are willing to show effort. Her class never looks bored and stares at the chalk board. Constantly, they are smiling, interacting, singing, on the smart board to learn. Mrs. Beskid encouraged healthy competition among the kids. I saw this motivated them and they encouraged their fellow teammates so that they could win against the other team. I did not see any extreme bad behavior. Constantly, the classroom was always in control. Mrs. Beskid demonstrates that teaching can be fun. Learning can be fun. School should not be something you dread, rather something that you are eager to go to everyday.

By chance, when the first graders went to their special, I was given the opportunity to observe Mrs. Halle’s kindergarten classroom. Even though I was not there for long, I instantly knew that I instantly knew that I could want to teach kindergarten. Mrs. Halle’s class greeted me, they were so well behaved, and they were kind and helped each other. Mrs. Halle is probably the most energetic teacher I have ever seen. She constantly made the kids practice their manners and kindness. She only spoke in a positive voice. She looked like she was having fun as long as the students.

The kindergarten class’s curriculum is not so much serious. Rather, it is learning common sense and manners. I was able to work with a kindergarten boy who had a tumor in his brain. He had to circle the hidden butterflies in picture. Even though this was not hard to me, it took him a little while but he found all the hidden butterflies. He had a positive attitude. Then the class sang and danced to learn about spelling and the different type of animals.

I love the simplicity of kindergarten. The students look like they have fun. Even though first grade curriculum may not appear hard to me, I would rather teach kindergarteners on common sense and manners. I love children and would want to help develop them so that they are able to go to first grade very well rounded. I want to sing song, dance or watch the children color pictures. This may be simple but I love to see the children be happy. Just being in the kindergarten classroom for a short time made me realize that if I taught I could not imagine teaching any other class than kindergarten.

Lastly, I observed Newton D. Baker School of Arts in Cleveland. Since I am going the speech therapy route but in the school system, I thought it would be beneficial to observe a speech therapist in a school system. Newton D. Baker is a school for kids with disabilities or who are artistic. I shadowed Mindy Flandera for the day and I knew at that second I wanted to work with kids in a school system.

In the beginning of the day Mindy and I went to a pre- school – first grade class for students with disabilities. In this tiny room many toddlers were playing and interacting with each other. In the classroom there was a little room in the back that Mindy took her speech therapy students.

During Mindy’s time with her students

•  3 students ages 3-5 with information processing/ speech disorders

•   Did many hands on games to help with child’s problems. Playing house, puzzles and board games were a few of the fun ways that incorporated in her time with the student
•      I noticed the kids were having fun and at the same time were improving on the skill they were lacking
•   Mindy was very emotional and personable
•    Gave optional homework so that the student could improve

Mindy is very comforting and does not get angry with these special students. Many of these students comes from poor households and she knew their attention is not the greatest. She is very passionate and loving with her work and wants the students to improve. Lastly, Mindy worked with a teacher to help teach a class.

Mindy and the teacher during class:

•   Mindy worked with a teachers 2^nd grade class on pronouncing and spelling words correctly
•  Many of these children had speech disorders
• Mindy and the teacher made the kids use hand motions when pronouncing words. This truly helped the kids used the right syllables and stresses
•  Mindy and the teacher’s styles complimented each other. Mindy is caring and the teacher was encouraging
•   I personally got to help teach. I showed the students a word and they had to pronounce it. Or I told students a word and they had to write it.

I loved how Mindy interacted with the teacher. It was like she was an actually teacher. I also adored how Mindy did not have to work with one class all day. She got to mix around different classrooms. I saw kids who were severely mentally retarded to those who had little speech impediments. I loved how there was smiles on the kids face constantly. Mindy incorporated such fun things while helping the students. Due to all these observations, I know I want to work in a school system with little children. I have a total new respect for teachers because they can greatly influence ones life.