The Final Countdown

As I am getting closer to my final day of teaching at North Marion, many thoughts have crossed my mind. I wonder, "Did I teach everything I had hoped to? Were my lessons well-done? Should I have done anything differently? What did I do well?" As my host teacher and I finished the rubric and I received my final grade for the semester, she and I discussed areas of strength and methods for improvement.

I am confident that I have developed a good rapport with my students. I am genuinely interested in their lives and I believe that I show that to them on a regular basis. I talk with them throughout the day and we share stories with each other in class discussions. Several of the students (especially seniors) have mentioned that they will be disappointed when I leave and I must say, the feeling is mutual. I have grown close with the students and my host teacher and I will forever be impacted by this experience. I could not have asked for a better placement or group of kids.

My host teacher and I agree that I behave professionally at all times and have a good understanding of the English/Language content area. I have a passion for teaching and the English language and it is evident in the way I carry myself in the classroom and through the discussions I have held with my teacher.

Since the beginning of the program, I have worked diligently to improve my classroom management. I believe that this is one of the most difficult areas of teaching to master. Classroom management strategies vary from class to class, so it is important to make adjustments based on the personalities of the students. Sometimes I find myself talking over students as opposed to making them quiet down and pay attention. In the future, I will clearly establish rules and expectations from day one and show consistency in implementing those policies. My host teacher ensured me that I will improve in this area over time, but not to worry because I am better at this than for what I give myself credit.

These last two weeks are bittersweet. I will admit, I feel a sense of relief in knowing that I am almost finished with my student teaching. Action research, full-time planning, going to class, and working has been, at times, overwhelming. However, as I mentioned before, I have grown to truly care for my students and the school. I will miss coming in every day to the "Good morning, Miss Kelly!" and high-fives in the halls. I will miss the company and conversations with my host teacher. I will miss the staff, the school spirit, and the 50-minute drive at 6:00 in the morning (okay, maybe I won't miss the last part), but I plan to visit often and hopefully to keep in-touch with my students and fellow teachers.