Sarah Kerschgens
On October 19th, 2018 I had my first ever experience in an FLS classroom (K-2.
After meeting my Cooperating Teacher Mrs. Richie and being told how many children we
were to pick up from the bus and the severe disabilities that the eight children in her class had,
we headed outside with her aide and a floater to greet our children. This was my first time in a
school bus setting. I was pleasantly greeted by all the staff outside, and the school atmosphere
was nothing but welcoming. We all waited for our charges to arrive and once they were there
we went straight with the children for breakfast, this was overwhelming at first as two of the
children needed to be tube-fed, four of them fed with pureed food and the other two spoon fed.
After breakfast we went back to the classroom where the children had circle time, during this
time we sang songs and went around in the circle asking who is there today and the children
were to push a speaker that said their names and that they were there that day. After circle time
the children were in stations where the teachers worked on fine motor skills and eye contact.
Then it was outdoor time, here the children were able to run around in their wheel chairs and
get some fresh air. We then went back to the classroom and did more singing time, as all the
children were non-verbal it was a very quiet day in the classroom. At 12.00 it was lunch time
and I was able to feed Brian his four packets of pureed food, this was fun as Brian is such a
happy little boy, I think he smiled continuously the whole day. Lunch took nearly an hour
before all the children were fed and then it was back to the classroom where the children were
able to get out of their chairs and lie on the floor. This was a wonderful day with wonderful
FIELD OBSERVATION ARTIFACT # 1
3
children and they were all so well looked after and loved in Mrs. Richie's class. Four days later
I was back in Richard H Bryan Elementary this time I was able to spend a day with Mr.
Harewood in his self contained Autism class. Again I was greeted by everyone, and everyone
remembered me, on this day the children had to take a grab and go breakfast, so we all went
from the bus straight to the classroom before picking up breakfast, this was my first Autistic
stereotype out the window, as getting a grab and go breakfast did not phase the children and I
had always assumed Autistic children did not do well when their routine was changed. Then all
the children had to greet Mr. Harewood with eye contact before entering their classroom, this
was the second stereotyping that went out the window as all children looked at Mr. Harewood
and said good morning before entering the room. This class also had eight children between K
and 2nd Grade. We started the morning with breakfast, then attendance was taken with the
children each adding up their “House” points that they had earned the day before, we then
went over to the calendar where the children said what day it was, what yesterday was for a
day and date and what tomorrow would be. The children then had a short 10 minute play time
before they started on their daily activities, the classroom ran so smoothly, while two of the
children were at the computer station, two were with the aide, one child was in the general ed
classroom while the other three were working with the cooperating teacher. After the work was
done we all went outside where the children played soccer and then it was of to lunch. When
Lunch was finished we went back to the classroom where the children worked on Math
problems, sang songs and then to use their fine motor skills they did some coloring before
heading out to Physical Education. All is all it was a busy day and I loved how the children
FIELD OBSERVATION ARTIFACT # 1
4
acted and behaved. Being in this class totally changed my stereotype of children with Autism.
In this class there were two brother both with Autism and one twin who had Autism but her
sister was in the regular general education setting. I really learned how if you work on the
behavioral issues, children with Autism can enjoy a regular school day. One of the children
Oliver was in the general education class in the mornings, he was fascinating with his Math.
He completed his work in seconds, taking the harder route rather than the easier one as his
mind was so fast and the teacher was hoping that he would be able to attend regular classes
next year. I thoroughly enjoyed my day and found my calling, this is the classroom I would
like to be in one day. After having worked in so many schools and kindergartens over the
years, I have to say Richard H Bryan elementary was one of my favorite, the staff were so
friendly, the children were wonderful and the whole atmosphere was exactly what a teacher
needs.
FIELD OBSERVATION ARTIFACT # 1
5
ASSIGNMENT 3
2. All the instruction in both classrooms was done in small groups of maximum 2 children
3. The cooperating teacher had a great style, he knew his children and had their behavioral
issues very under control. He was strict with the children but they were not in any way scared
4. The teacher made sure that the children all greeted him with eye contact before entering the
classroom and used eye contact constantly with the children and praised the children every
time they made eye contact or finished a task when asked to do something.
5. All the children were constantly engaged in their work, there was no complaining and the
FIELD OBSERVATION ARTIFACT # 1
6
children knew exactly how the day worked and when to move from station to station.
6. None of the children were isolated from the others, they were a very tight knit group and all
7. I have never seen a classroom run so smoothly you could tell that the cooperating teacher
and his aide worked hand in hand together, I think this is why the class ran so well.
8. The transitions ran so smoothly, there was no running around in the room, everything went
very smoothly and quietly, you could tell the children had all been together for a long time and
the two new children seemed to have had no problems transitioning into this classroom.
9. The only way the cooperating teacher used commands was with his finger and eye contact,
words were not necessary. The children reacted straightway to his commands
10. The only real behavior issue that I was told about was from the two brothers as they rarely
attended school and were both non-verbal. Due to their not being in school on a regular basis
they were not as well behaved as the others children who always attended school. The teacher
had to use down-time with one of the children but that worked fine and for the younger sibling
the teacher had a chart where the children would get patches if he did a great job, lose them if
he didn't make eye contact but he would earn them again very quickly when he participated in
11. I did not see anything that hindered instructional time, I have never been in such a well
geared classroom.
FIELD OBSERVATION ARTIFACT # 1
7
Interaction in the main office was amazing, they knew how I was when I walked in the door
the first day and were expecting me. Within 3 hours of me being there, I received an email
from the Director with the contacts of the two teachers who were happy to allow me to observe
in their classrooms and when I turned up a few days later for my first day, I was greeted by all
the office staff by my name and the second day I was allowed to find my own way to my
classroom and was greeted as though I was employed there by all the staff.
The school used pull out programs for the children, they had a speech therapist, physical
The children all interacted with each other in the cafeteria, and while I was there they were
telling the students about their individual “house points” the school has four different houses
that the students and staff belonged to; Altruismo (Portuguese for giver), Amistad ( Spanish for
friendship), Isbindi ( Zulu for courage) and Reveur ( French for dreamers). While the points
were being delivered all the children clapped and cheered for the other houses and all children
congratulated the winners. It was a lovely atmosphere and also there was positive interaction
with the children from the FLS class and the regular children, I did not notice any mean
The whole school walls were covered in achievements, artwork from the children, trophies and
FIELD OBSERVATION ARTIFACT # 1
8
the four houses. You could see that the school did a lot and that the teacher and students were
very involved in what they did. Also both cooperating teachers told me that their director came
to visit them at least once a week and her door was always open to them, so they felt she had
their backs and that they could count on her if they ever needed anything.