On the 10th of June I said goodbye to my placement school with a heavy heart. I had fallen in love with the students there, all three of the classes I taught, and wondered how I was ever going to cope without them. I am still wondering. The sadness has slowly started to melt but rarely (in the last two weeks at least) I have thought about the kids every day.
I approached my focus days (5 days over 5 weeks) in which I went to observe the classes with great apprehension. Ugh, meh, bleh. I was fuh-reaking out! And to be placed in a catholic school nonetheless!
I met my supervisor and was well underway. I still had my shyness about me, but as my practicum progressed I found my feet.
I taught 2 year 7 classes, one in English and the other in History, and 1 year 9 class for english. I wanted the prac to be over at first. So much to get through and to tell you the truth standing at the front of the class (to me) is akin to standing there naked. Because I was putting myself of the line and right up the front there is no hiding from the students. Their piercing eyes see all.
Being comfortable with the kids and behaviour management were the hardest to do. But learning names and relaxing really does help. A key point I would actually highlight for any pre-service teachers is to LEARN THEIR NAMES! They will be quite chuffed that the Teacher knows who they are, it gives more flow to your lessons and it gives you better behaviour control over the class. It becomes apparent who the trouble-makers are and you can work from there - tell specific students to hush or move them etc. In regards to the behaviour management...Im working on it :S but it ain't easy.
For the better part, the kids were angels. Sure there was chatter and a little disruption, but nothing drastically bad. As a teacher, I dont mind chatter. Being in a catholic school, I have to say that the students are well behaved.
One of the best experiences I had was going to pastoral class everyday. It is like home-room but with my supervisor it is more like a family. The year 7s would sit with the year 10s or a year 11 with a year 9 student. Students develop another family in that class and I enjoyed being a part of it every day.
I taught mixed ability students and nothing pleased me more than when a learning support student had a love for history and despite his learning needs he managed to achieve 77% on the half-yearly. He worked so hard and he suprised both I and the supervisor. It was overwhelming because these were the moments I lived for in my four weeks there. In english class, the unlikeliest students would surprise me with answers. I tried to listen out to students who were quiet within the class to give them a voice. This is key because all kids should have a chance to talk/speak to the class at least once.
It was hard not to get attached to that school. Teachers are so immersed there. They not only teach within the subject area, but they also take debate teams and sport. Both of which I was a part of. I helped out with a year 7 debate team and enjoyed it so much. They won their debate and made me proud.
One of the best experiences I had was taking the basketball team and rediscovering my passion for it. The year 8 boys, at first, were uncoordinated at best. They did not mesh and did not know how to play together. But they were hungry for it. They loved to play and wanted to practice. I was so surprised by it because they showed up at the staff room willing to play. I had a few practices with them and they began to gel and work together. Never was I prouder of them than on my final day where they all played hard and just narrowly missed out on a win.
I never forget that school. Especially my year 7 class who made me a giant poster which I will always cherish. This experiences just reinforced what it felt like teaching and educating. I miss being a part of the kids 9-3 life but, if God wills it, I might be back :)
All in all, it was inspiring. It meant hard work, getting up early, lesson planning, sport coaching and staff room mingling but I enjoyed my 4 weeks there and wished that it was at least 10 weeks.
I will take with me the knowledge I learnt there and will infuse it into my teaching to ensure that all my kids have a love for the learning, which I am to do as an educator.
Adios for now
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