Jefferson Elementary School Observation Report

During the months of September and October this semester I spent time at two different schools in four different classrooms. Being able to observe different classes and teachers at Westside Junior High and South Live Oak Elementary was a very new and exciting experience for me since I can’t say I’ve always wanted to be a teacher. My experiences at these schools gave me a better insight into the differences between schools, classrooms, and teachers. The purpose of this field experience was to get 10 observation or tutoring hours in an elementary or junior high setting. I chose to observe a

I was pleased to have had the opportunity to observe two eighth grade teachers as part of my internship process. I will use aliases for these teachers. Mrs. Cessna is a Middle School Social Studies teacher who is currently teaching U.S. History to eighth grade students. She has been teaching for thirteen years. The second teacher I observed is an eighth grade Math teacher, Mrs. Knox. Mrs. Knox is in her twenty-first year of teaching.

High school math teacher Mark Biller is an inspiration and ultimately the reason I decided to become a teacher myself. He has taught at multiple schools over his teaching career, but ultimately found his place at Polaris Expeditionary Learning School in Fort Collins, Colorado where he has been for the past 4 years. Teaching is not an easy thing, but it comes naturally to Mark as he shares his love of numbers with students in an engaging way. Although I only had the opportunity to be in 2 of his classes as a student, I was able to observe Mark’s teaching style more in-depth as a teacher’s aide for all of the classes that he offered as well as receive guidance in my own budding teaching style.

To set the demographics, Lacy Elementary School is a 60-year-old neighborhood school. Originally built to accommodate 500 students, the school is now over capacity, reaching a high enrollment of 650 students. Located in an urban school district, a majority of the students qualify for the federal breakfast and lunch program. The district has recently experienced a new rezoning, and in result there are buses now bringing 200 students from the surrounding neighborhoods to the school. Lacy Elementary opens its’ doors at 7:30 a.m., although school doesn’t begin until 8:30 a.m. Teachers are not required to report to school until 15 minutes prior to school beginning, however, teacher assistants or paraprofessionals are paid a stipend to supervise students before and after school. Although they have this opportunity, there are only two individuals who have chosen to supervise in the breakfast program. To provide additional assistance, PTA volunteers and administration are currently helping supervise when able.

As a future middle school teacher, I know I have much to learn. I have to learn how to effectively make engaging lesson plans that meet the academic standards of my content, I have to educate myself on how to efficiently and promptly determine all of my student’s different learning styles and motivation, and I have to learn how to professionally build classroom management and a safe classroom environment, while still developing a sincere relationship with my students. However, of all the things I still need to learn, there is just as much that I have already learned which has helped build and strengthen my beliefs on what I believe a middle school teacher is and my responsibility as such.

I think that attending Towson High School and being a part of its Law & Public Policy program has definitely changed my perspective and opinions. Towson High School, a predominantly white school, was very different for me because I'm not a localite and I'd only attended predominantly black elementary and middle schools. While I have been able to recognize prejudice at Towson, as someone who is politically liberal in a highly diverse magnet, I have managed to work with, get along with, and befriend a magnitude of students and contributed to conversations that expand everyone's worldview.

Naperville North students who have taken school lunch this year dislike the policy of having low quantity of food in their meals than last year.

On Wednesday October 25th I went to the Multnomah County Library on 49th and woodstock to do my Fieldwork Observation assignment. I left directly after school and took the number 10 bus, to Woodstock Park which I walked through. I arrived at the library at 2:48pm I used the restroom then took a seat in the back right of the room. The reason for this seating choice was so I could see as much as the room as possible. I didn’t officially start the time until 2:51pm.

I chose Vashon high school, which is the nearest high school to me. When looking at the data for Vashon I went back three years. The total discipline incident rate per 100 students in 2013 was 89 (9.90%), 2014 103 (11.90%), and 2015 173 (26.80%). As you can see in 2015 there was a very noticeable increase in incidents. 2015 saw a major increase in violence in the city of Saint Louis specifically inner city, predominately African American neighborhoods, I would question whether or not this had any effect on delinquency in schools, when children are exposed to violence they may act out hence the increase in incidents. Next I looked at the dropout rate, in 2013 27.30% of students dropped out, 2014 32.90% and in 2015 44.30% of students dropped

I learned quickly that being an effective teacher is an art that takes time and devotion. Many times, teachers are not provided with the necessary materials in order to maintain the various learning styles in a classroom. It is up to the teacher to create an environment where students can succeed. This is a full time job, meaning that a teacher’s work is not done once they leave the school. A teacher must contribute a significant amount of time and effort in order to see positive results in the school and in his or her own classroom. After observing my cooperating teacher’s strategies and learning more about the profession, I knew that I was going in the right direction with my life. I took a significant amount of knowledge away from this experience and have continued to strive to be the type of educator that I was blessed to work with during this experience. .

I am attending Concord College to further my education. After graduating with an Elementary Education Degree, I would like to teach in an elementary school in Southern West Virginia. Preferably, I would like to teach in a kindergarten environment. While teaching I plan to further my career with a Master’s degree. I would like to be able to reach those children that aren’t as fortunate as others. As a teacher I will not only teach the children, but they in turn, will teach me. Education is one of the most important aspects to the success of the country. It is important for everyone to feel a part of that success; therefore, I feel strongly about teaching students to succeed.

In that class, the student learns about different teaching methods and how to care for children. As part of the curriculum, we volunteered at Long Elementary as teacher aides. Working with 4th grade students and observing an everyday class room was such an awe-inspiring experience. I had a completely new perspective about teachers. I have so much more respect as before. Teachers put so much time and effort into helping children for their benefits. I knew from the first day I helped with Ms. Williams’ 4th grade class, how much a teacher is a positive influence on children. There is an overwhelming feeling when you help a student with a problem and in return they give you the most heart-warming smile. The experience at Long Elementary helped me make my final decision on whether I wanted to teach elementary or secondary school. As much as I enjoyed helping elementary students, in my heart I knew secondary school was the path God had in store for me.

This past semesters has been an eye opening experience that has changed my views on teacher. Ever since I was little, I have always wanted to be a fourth grade teacher. However after being placed in a second grade classroom my views have changed. I liked the idea of teaching fourth grade because my fourth grade teacher was my inspiration in life. When I was in Ms. Petro’s class I enjoyed being able to watch the students progress over time. Being able to see the drastic improvements in little children is very rewarding and that is why I want to continue to teach lower grades. I have learned that being a teacher requires a special someone, a person who knows that sometimes you will have to deal with tough situations leaving you exhausted and feeling like you are not able to help more. But at the same time, being a teacher allows one to be a visionary for the world and those who surround you.

Upon receipt of an email from Ruth Ann Ponten, a 7th grade math teacher, Maya Thomas, the district staff development and instructional consultant, immediately took action to help support the struggling teacher. Ruth Ann was located at a school within a rural community that was undergoing a major transition. The community of farm workers and working class families was transitioning to a community of educated professionals that were being attracted to the community’s strong, tight-knit feel and impeccable older homes. With the change of families, new expectations regarding education started to emerge as well.

As children, we absorb information and learn from experiences that mold us into who we are. Many individuals impact a child’s life, but the most powerful and influential role lies in a devoted teacher, a teacher provides growth to students as a gardener would to a garden of flowers. Each child can bloom into a thriving flower so long as you water their garden with optimism, love, patience, and guidance. Throughout my educational experiences I was lucky enough to have educators who poured their knowledge and optimism into me, and now I would like to reciprocate that back to students who are in the position I was once in. Balancing life and school is hard enough for a student, but a powerful and caring teacher can steer you in the right direction. In this autobiography you will read about my educational background, experiences that influenced my decision to become a teacher, and what I believe the role of a teacher should be in a student’s life.