Reflections of a First Year: Heading into Practicum
The end of the semester is always stressful: A lot of assignments due, late nights worrying, editing and re-editing our work, and still having to go into class and listen to lectures and presentations. But the end of the semester of teachers college is different because we now have to go into school and teach the theory in “practice”.
We now have to use what we learned in school in real life, with real students.
I compare it to being pregnant and having a baby. At the end your pregnancy you are so tired of being pregnant and all you want is for the baby to come out. What you don’t realize, is that when the baby comes out, there is even more work to be done. And you have way less control on your environment, of your time and you can never predict how any day is going to go, because now have another living, breathing human to take care of.
So I guess it is time to give birth!
Except now, the babies are my students. I must take good care of them.
I cannot predict how the next 3 weeks will go but I am going in with a brave and open heart, ready to lead and help my students become their best self.
Before I begin this journey I want to outline my principles and my guidelines for my actions and my classroom going forward. These may change in time, but for now here they are:
Be Brave
Set clear boundaries with others: Students, colleagues and family members.
Lean into difficult conversations, and don’t be afraid of having them.
Talk to people and not about them.
Do not be afraid to apologize or say that I was wrong, when I was wrong.
Serve the Student
I take ownership of adapting to the fast paced environment of the school
I take responsibility for my students and my community and classroom experience.
I am responsible for the energy I bring to situations, and I stay positive.
Take Good Care
I treat my students with respect and compassion
I am mindful of my own well-being and don’t over burden myself
I practice gratitude with my students and my colleagues.
These values will guide me through this journey.
Am I afraid? Yes.
But i also feel brave and ready to see where this journey will take me. There is no perfect formula for life. I will go in with my eyes wide open, making sure to listen to the feedback given to me by the students and my fellow teachers. I will search for any blindspots that I may have that are stopping me from seeing my students. I will seek to understand, to learn and to grow and I hope to teach my students the same.
We cannot teach what we do not know.
So I am keeping my eyes open.
It will take time, adjustment and trial and error to find out what works best for me.
I will not be perfect, but if I stay clear on my purpose and my priorities I know I will be doing the best that I can.
“I define a leader as anyone who takes responsibility for finding the potential in people and processes, and has the courage to develop that potential.” - Brené Brown
Just switch the word 'leader’ with ‘teacher’. That is what teaching is all about.
It is not about giving out gold stars and accumulating grades. It is about being a brave leader and creating a culture in which people feel safe, seen, heard and respected.
I’ll let you know how it goes.
Miss Mia