Week 5

Week 4

Week 3

Relationships

Principle 10: The student teacher fosters relationships with school colleagues, parents, and agencies in the larger community to support students' learning and well being.


This week, my classroom teacher provided me the opportunity to introduce myself to the Burris faculty by writing a paragraph about me in Owl Pellets, the faculty newsletter. It has been easy for me to forget how big the Burris K-12 environment really can be. I spend most of my time down in the art room. This fact encouraged me to make a personal goal of finding ways to create new alliances outside of the art department.

My classroom teacher was unable to attend a social committee meeting after school one day, so I took her spot as the secretary for that time. While I didn't say much at the meeting, I learned about many of the things the Burris community does for its own, including carry-ins on PBA days retirement dinners, and surprise mailbox treats. I have heard of schools planning activities like this, but I never really reflected upon the effect that such things have on the school environment. There are not too many professions that collectively and consistently provide opportunities to celebrate personal accomplishments or appreciation for others.

One of the criticisms that I have of Principle 10 is that is does not include relationships with students. One of the main reasons I love teaching is that you have the opportunity to meet so many wonderful young people. Even the ones who are...not so wonderful...challenge me to face my weaknesses. My second weekly goal for week two was to spend a lot of time identifying my students be name. Miss Berry, Burris' vice principal, is probably one of the most extraordinary people I have ever met. She says hello to each student she sees in the hall and can call almost all of them by name. A name seems like such a small thing, but I am learning that it is a big deal to students. Already in my second week, I have learned that you do not want to get a name wrong. While my students have been kind in correcting me sometimes, I can tell in their eyes that they want to be recognized. To make my task of learning ten classes of twenty students each more of a challenge, many of them were allowed to switch seats this week.

Flexibility is the key to teaching.

My third goal for week two involved blue, gold, and a lot of cheering! I wanted to really tap into the school spirit of Burris by attended a sporting event. Dressed in my brand new Burris Owls t-shirt, I met my classroom teacher at a middle school basketball game and helped her sell tickets to fans. This was a great opportunity to meet the families of students and greet members of the community. Mrs. Stokes, my classroom teacher, informed me that she knew almost everyone on the middle school teams.

I am constantly learning new things from her, but I think this week she taught me to hold on to the faces that I see each day. I could tell that many of the students recognized her presence at the game and appreciated her support.

Orientation Week

TELL ME...and I forget

SHOW ME...and I may remember.

INVOLVE ME...and I'll understand.

-Chinese Proverb-

I have been told for five years how to be a successful educator, but have forgotten so much of it. I have gone to workshops, conventions, and I have been shown by experienced professors how to manage a classroom. I have remembered some of what I have been told and shown, but I have remembered much more of what I have been involved in . As of this week, I am finally involved in becoming a licensed teacher, and everything that I have learned and valued is being tested. I love it.

I am no stranger to the students at Burris Laboratory School or my classroom teacher. While I have been given a warm welcome and feel at home in my school environment, I am seeing everything with a new pair of eyes. The artist in me is longing to gain control of the intricate details of daily life: student and faculty faces, parent involvement and procedures, extracurricular commitments, and even the lunch menu.

This week, I chose to focus on three goals that would improve my knowledge of the Burris community.

Goal 1: The student teacher will learn the procedures of the school and the art classroom.

• Student teacher will keep a copy of the student handbook in her possession and complete the Student Teacher Checklist provided during Student Teacher Orientation Day.
• Student teacher will create a classroom floor plan to familiarize herself with classroom materials and safety.

Goal 2: The student teacher will develop a dialog between herself, the students, and the faculty of Burris.

• Student teacher will create a seating chart for each of the art classes that she interacts with in order to foster relationships with individual students.
• Student teacher will attend faculty meetings and eat lunch with colleagues to increase visibility of herself within the school.

Goal 3: The student teacher will learn the layout of the school in order to efficiently serve the needs of the students and faculty of Burris.

• Student teacher will lead students from the art classroom back to their home classrooms.
• Student teacher will offer to run errands for the classroom teacher.

I am so excited to keep this documented account of my experience and growth while at Burris. Each week, I will outline new goals and describe teachable moments that have impacted my philosophy of education or the way I see myself.