This service learning experience was very rewarding and educational. I learned a lot about the politics of the classroom. The teacher that I volunteered under was one of the best elementary teachers that I have ever met. All of my elementary school teachers (that I can remember) were really mean and ran their classrooms like a war zone. This teacher works well with the students while being both strict and nice. She can raise her voice at the kids and tell them to be silent without yelling at them. The students really love her and they are always working to please her- whether it be to get the best grade in the class or to sit down in their chair, hands folded.
The most important trait that this teacher posesses is her patience. This experience has helped shape my teaching identity because I lucked out with having such a great teacher to work with. I need to work on my patience with children and I think that she does a great job in walking the line between educator and friend.
I totally agreed with your commend, this experience has been great, I was also lucky to be surrounded by a wonderful team at Flynn elementary which had contribute to an extraordinarily and easy process of learning and also of teaching.
ReplyDeleteIt's too bad that you had a bad experience in elementary schools. I, personally, think there are hundreds of excellent teachers in our schools who, every day, do the work of sharing mutually respectful relationships with their students!
ReplyDeleteI love the elementary school teachers that can command respect without first being in the army (at at least acting like it). They are few and far between, but they are by far the best teachers out there. There's a huge difference between working because you don't want to know what happens if you don't and working because you really want to please someone (and thus in turn please yourself).
ReplyDeleteBest of luck to you when you are a teacher.
I agree with your post. This experience has been a learning experience and I have really learned the struggles teachers go through everyday with their students.
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