Self-Reflective Essay

My experience throughout my student teaching has went very smoothly. I was a little

nervous coming into this as I didn’t know how teachers who have seen me in the school would

react around me. The way the teachers have accepted me and treated me has gave me a lot of

confidence in running a classroom at the middle school. Mr. McCarney and Mr. Ramsey have

been there every step of the way to help guide me through the process.

The one thing that I had a lot of confidence in was my ability to create relationships. This

is something that I set out to do as soon as I got there. It took a little longer with some kids, but

by the end of my student teaching I believe that I have created some sort of understanding

between me and every student I have had. This is a good thing as through my experience with

science I have been in complete control of the classroom from day three.

When he told me that this is what he wanted me to do I was a little worried as he didn’t

really give me a direction to take the class. So I wanted to make sure that I just didn’t teach

something that they have completely already done during that year. This was fear that I shouldn’t

have had as you can do so many different things with each section of science really interest each

student. I have been so proud of how I have been prepared each day as this has made the classes

run so much smoother.

That doesn’t mean that I haven’t had my problems. Throughout my time, the one thing

that I have learned is to celebrate small moments and put fires out before they start. The small

moments are hard to celebrate but that is how you stay patient and sometimes they are huge

celebrations for the students. There is one moment that has taught me something that I don't

think I will ever forget. During one of my lessons I brought my classes outside to launch their
catapults. One day I had four girls who just couldn’t behave and I had to send all of them to the

office as the problem escalated. Well the next day one of the girls walked up to me and said if

your just going to lecture me just send me to the office again. I looked at her and said “how

about we just move on and today is a new day.” It has been three weeks and I haven’t had a

problem sense.

If I could change one thing it would be create multiple types of assessment. Paper tests

just get boring for me and the students. This would be a good way to change things up when the

class is hitting a dull period of time. I like the paper tests as especially for a subject like math,

you have to be able to put pencil to paper. But diversity in what you are doing in the classroom

keeps the students engaged.

Overall I have loved my experience. This was one of the best groups that I have had the

privilege to be in charge of. Even though I know every year is different, this experience will give

me the tools to start preparing for situation that can arise in my own classroom.