Week 5 Reflection

Last week was a totally new experience for me. I was never given the opportunity to participate in an IEP, 504, or SAT meeting while at Bridgeport High or Bruceton School. On Thursday, I was told to participate in one of my students 504 meetings. I was very eager to attend because I had been dealing with a lot of frustrations with this student. The student would not participate, stay attentive, turn in work, and was a HUGE disruption to my classes (I had them two periods a day for Algebra I and Algebra support).
Those present in the meeting include the mother, the student, a counselor, the meeting's coordinator, and the student's teachers. I could tell very early on that the mother was not pleased. She made comments like "I don't like your attitudes," or, "You all went to school to do this!" When it came time for me to speak, I told her that when I could get the student to work, they worked, but that that was VERY rare. I also said that the student could not stay on task even if I were to stand over top of the student and redirect the student every single minute. The mother then told me that I would have to do that with her child for the rest of the year. My host teacher informed her that we have 28 other students in the class that needed our help as well, and that that would not be an option. The art teacher began to speak about her class after that. My heart was racing the entire time. I was so uncomfortable to be in that room and so amazed that a parent would have such a mean attitude with us. As the art teacher told the mother how her student performed in her class, the anger escalated. That is when my host teacher stood up and told me we could leave. Another student teacher and a special education teacher followed.
I was so thankful that my host teacher was able to talk to me after the meeting to calm my nerves. She informed me that I do not have to sit in a meeting and be talked to like that. Also, an administrator should have been present in that meeting and was not. It was not a good start to my day, since the meeting was before school.

Week 4 Reflection

I've taken over full time now and am really enjoying it. Before I had the Algebra II class, I taught the same thing over and over again to my 4 Algebra I classes. Now that I have the Algebra II class, it breaks up the monotony. This week was also our first early release day. The students were dismissed 3 1/2 hours early. After the students left, the teachers split up into their PLC groups. My PLC group, the math PLC, was very frustrating for me. I felt like there were a lot of conflicting opinions, which led to no solution. Hopefully there are more positive attitudes during our next meeting.
Something else that I would like to say is that I am so happy that I am in the cohort I am in. The nine of us are extremely close. We are like a "herd" walking around the school. The drive home is always a reflective time for all of us. We are able to share our frustrations, accomplishments, and ask for help. I'm very lucky to have been placed here at EFHS.

Week 3 Reflection

Another amazing week at East Fairmont High School! I still have not taken over completely for my mentor teacher, but I only have one more class to go. We have planned for me to take over Algebra II at the beginning of next week. I am a little apprehensive but still excited.
Also this week, I attended a football game of theirs. It was nice to see the students participate in extracurricular activities. It made me feel more involved in the school.
I keep encountering an issue whenever I grade papers. I have discussed with my mentor teacher my frustrations with giving bad grades to the students. I feel horrible when I give a student a bad grade, especially a student that I know was capable of doing better. I know it is something that I will get over but for now it bothers me. A hand full of my students are doing awesome in my classes while others are failing miserably. Those are the students who refuse to turn in homework or participate in class. I am reaching out to these students but am failing. I don't know how else to get them to complete work without practically doing it for them!

Week 2 Reflection

Week two at EFHS was a very successful week for me! I took over all of the Algebra I classes for my mentor teacher (4 periods). I was extremely nervous when I started to teach, but grew more and more comfortable with the students as the week went on. I did have a few students who were disruptive, but that is to be expected. Not only was it my first full week teaching, I also had my first observation as an intern. I was excited about teaching the lesson, so that calmed my nerves a little. The lesson helped students link solving multi-step equations to a real life application, parties. I even brought party hats and noise makers to help engage the students in the lesson. The lesson went extremely well and the students seemed to really enjoy it.
Aside from my algebra class, the teachers had dance practice two days after school. We performed a dance at the school pep assembly on Friday. That experience made me really feel like a part of the school. I am absolutely loving my days at EFHS thus far!