TEP Value #2 - Reflective Practice
It is important to reflect on my role as a developing teacher. After volunteering at the school carnival during my first week of long practicum, I decided to write about it in my weekly reflection. My reflection is posted underneath the picture below.
At this carnival, I interacted with parents and families as they visited the ladder golf booth I was running. I was so happy that I volunteered at a station because it was a great way to get connected with the school community so early on in my practicum. After thinking about this experience, I felt motivated to further get to know the parents of the students in my class because I could see that parent involvement was a large part of this school. The parents at my practicum school are very committed to their children's happiness, success, and learning. I realized that the parents and the teachers all want what is best for the students, so this was a common goal that we all shared.
It was important to reflect on this experience because it positively influenced my perception of the school community. This encouraged me to think about how I will interact with parents, and why it is important to build connections with them. I became thoughtful about the different family backgrounds students come from, and how this may impact the classroom learning environment. By reflecting on situations that occur both in and out of the classroom, my teaching practice can be improved.
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| "On Friday the school had a carnival! I volunteered my time, running the Ladder Golf game booth from 6 – 7:30 p.m. (Goal 14). I found this to be a wonderful way to interact with other students at Yarrow, as well as their families. I met lots of new families, and thought this was a great setting for it. I talked with some of the students in my class and got the opportunity to meet their parents again. The carnival was a great way to get involved with the school culture and community; I’m so glad this carnival took place during our long practicum." ~ Weekly Reflection #1, February 9, 2014 |
What an amazing opportunity! I'm so glad that you were able to participate and have this experience with the school community. A carnival is such a fun way to get to know the families that support your students without the pressure of interviews.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to hear more about this Ladder Golf game. I've never heard of that before. Did the games have an academic spin, or was it all just for fun?
I'm gleaning ideas. Perhaps in my next school I could help organize a function like this one!
Yes, it was a great opportunity, especially so early in my practicum. This encouraged me to connect with parents throughout my remaining practicum experience. The games were all for fun. The ladder golf game has three rungs (resembling a ladder), and then students had to throw a string with a golf ball attached to each end, and try to get it to wrap around the rungs. If it wrapped around the ladder rungs, they earned tickets for prizes. They really enjoyed it and some children were quite good at it! The gym was buzzing that evening and families had a great time.
DeleteInteracting with parents is such an important thing about being a teacher and seeing how much you cared shows what kind of teacher you truly are. Great job Amy, any student will be lucky to have you :)
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