Student Teaching Experience Reflection

My student teaching experience has been the best, most informational and inspiring experience
in many years. Generally, I had a great time with my students, and I could not have asked for a better
report with my cooperating teacher. I felt supported from day one, and he gave me the confidence I
needed to keep progressing. Interacting with my students was fantastic, and I was very surprised at how
much my students taught me, from everything to relationships to school practices.

More specifically, there were three parts of my student teaching experience that stick out to me
as the most important strengths or “wins” for the semester: relationships, planning and time
management. Throughout the semester I was able to create a really great atmosphere in my classrooms.
I was a little worried about a few of my classes early on, but as I got to know the students better and
establish relationships with them, the problems mostly vanished. Once I established those connections
and relationships with students, it was easy to tell that they bought into what I was teaching them
considerably more. They started to ask more questions, be more interested in the topics and generally
have fun with learning history. However, my relationships with students were not the only relationships
that went well this semester. I would also say that my relationships with the staff here at Thompson
Valley High School went very well. I sustained a great working relationship with my cooperating teacher,
as well as other teachers in the social studies department. There was other staff in the building of which
I grew very fond of as well; specifically, the ladies in the library who have been very helpful.

Another aspect that went well for me this semester was planning and time management.
Throughout the semester, I was almost always a week ahead in my planning. My schedule was a great
help; due to the block schedule I was able to have three consecutive off periods. This allowed me to
plan, grade, and make copies, etc. in a timely manner. Also, I taught a study hall, which gave me more
time to plan and grade assignments. The actual process of planning my lessons went smoothly as well.
My cooperating teacher took the time to show me how he goes about planning a unit, and I gathered
very valuable advice from him. Therefore, I was able to plan my units, using Understanding by Design,
rather easily. While planning, I also had a large amount of documents, readings, maps, etc. at my
disposal, which made the process go more smoothly. My time management skills have definitely
improved over the course of the semester. While I never found myself seriously overwhelmed with
grading or planning, there were still a few days where I wished I had spent more time on a particular
task. However, towards the end of the semester, I was able to get everything that I needed to all done,
and work ahead of myself.

I learned many things through my student teaching experience, which will shape the way I teach
for years to come. The biggest and most important thing I learned during student teaching is to be
confident. In the beginning of the semester, I was a little timid with my students, even while presenting
them information that I know backwards and forwards. After a couple weeks, however, I was more
comfortable in front of the class. This experience has taught me that students are much more likely to
buy into your class and listen to you when you come in with a positive and confident demeanor. Once I
gained my confidence in the class, I had more fun with teaching, and my students had more fun as well.
My increased confidence levels definitely translated to the students doing better in class, and even
worked to stem some of the problems I had with classroom management. Respect for myself and my
students ties into this as well, and is closely related to the relationships you have with students. I
learned that respect and confidence will go a long way in terms of connecting and maintaining
relationships with your students, which does help the classroom atmosphere and performance.

Classroom management was another area which I learned a lot about during student teaching.
My biggest take away about classroom management is the relationship piece. When I started building
better relationships with my students, there was an obvious correlation to classroom management
improvements. The students listened and respected me more, so there were less distractions and
negative behaviors. Another effective strategy I learned to implement was walking around the room. At
the beginning of the semester, I was glued to the front of the room. Although part of this was because I
needed to be close to the computer to change the slide, I felt most comfortable at the front. Throughout
the semester, once I had relaxed and gained confidence, I was able to move smoothly around the room.
This greatly helped with my classroom management, because of proximity to the students. When I stood
right next to a student, they would immediately put their phones away or stop whatever negative
behavior. During classes in which I walked around constantly, the students were more attentive to the
lesson, and listened more actively as well.

Although my semester went very well, and I have many positive experiences to share, there were
a few things that I would do differently. First, I would like to start implementing some quick classroom
management tools for attending skills. For the most part, I was satisfactory at getting the students
attention. However, there were some days when I would spend several minutes trying to get their
attention. When I teach in the future, I would like to establish some quick technique to get their
attention such as “clap once if you can hear me [claps], clap twice if you can hear me [claps]”. That is an
example of one technique I have seen used in the classroom, and it seems to help. I would also like to
work on giving clear directions in the future. I created classroom management problems for myself
when I did not give clear directions. Students would be confused, chatting to their neighbors to try and
figure out what to do, or they would ask a million questions all at once so I could not hear them. I would
like to work on spending more time frontloading information so that I do not have those issues in the
future.

I would also have organized myself a little differently. The system that I used all semester worked
well for me, but only because I was teaching in someone else’s room. There were some aspects that
didn’t work as well because I didn’t have a ton of my own space. For example, it was hard for me to
separate homework that was graded and plugged into the grade book, work that was graded but not
plugged in, and ungraded work. However, I’m sure it will be easier to work out these details when I have
my own room.

Lastly, if I were to redo student teaching, I would participate in more activities outside of school. I
have a busy life outside of school, and it was hard for me to make any events. However, I wish I would
have made the room in my schedule to fit those events in. There are several reasons why I wish I would
have participated more. Going to student events is a really great way to make relationships and
connections with the students. They respect you when you show that you care about them. Also, it’s a
good classroom management strategy as well. If you go to a student’s event, you can comment on how
they did in class and they will most likely behave positively and react well to you. They appreciate that
participation.

Overall, my student teaching experience was very positive. The things I would change are small
and easy changes to make, and the things I have learned are invaluable. I could not have asked for a
better cooperating teacher or students, and I will miss Thompson Valley High School very much.

Teacher……

One of the most important lessons that I learned was the importance of feedback. During
your student teaching experience, you want to find ways to improve your teaching skills.
Don’t be afraid to ask your cooperating teacher for advice. When observing you in action, he
or she will notice things that you hadn’t noticed before. Maybe you use too many filler
words, look at the floor too often, or stand in one place the entire time. Your cooperating
teacher can point out these things to you, so you can make the necessary changes to
improve.

More than just asking for feedback, you need to have a good attitude about the information
that you receive. What will you do with this information? I found that when I was teachable
and willing to hear criticism, I saw greater improvements in my teaching and increases in
my confidence.
Student teaching was a great experience. It had its ups and downs, but I became a better
teacher by working to make the most of my experience and looking for opportunities to
learn.
INTRODUCTION
It is said that education plays the most important role in one’s life. It molds and
develops the individual to ensure his future. But education will not possible without thelearning
process and the learning process involves two individuals; the teacher and thelearner. The learner
will not learn anything without the teacher or the educator.It is also true that teaching is the
noblest profession of all. The teacher carries themost difficult tasks and responsibilities on his
back and his main concern is the holisticdevelopment of an individual. A teacher must know how
to handle the learner, He/shemust have a patience, courage, dedication, determination and most
of all, the love foryour
learner that’s why teaching is called a “sacred calling” wherein those who possess
the stated characteristics can be an effective educator.If I were going to ask why I choose to be a
teacher despite of the responsibilitiesthat a teacher must carry. I just humbly say that I am glad to
help people especiallychildren who are in needs. I could not help them financially but in some
way I can helpthem morally, emotionally and intellectually. Being with the children whom you
can give

help through educating them is one of the unforgettable moment that every teachercherish.

WORKING WITH THE PRINCIPAL/HEAD TEACHER

On the first day of my off-campus teaching at Bato Rural
Development HighSchool which is my Alma Mater, I heard
that the current principal and the head teacher
of this school was good, smart and easy to deal with. For that
reason I’m very much
excited to meet them.They welcomed us with pleasant gestures.
They entertained us and gave us brieforientation about the
school
, the work of the teacher and the students as well. I’ve learned
some tips on how to manage the class.I obeyed what he asks me
to do, we have open communication especially when
Iwas preparing a lesson plan for final demonstration. He
gave me some advice that canhelp me improve my teaching
demonstration.
I’ve learned many things from him in
disciplining students and in classroom management as well. I
enjoyed working with him because he is a kind person. I will
treasure and apply this to my teaching profession in thefuture.

WORKING WITH COOPERATING TEACHER

On the first day of my off-campus teaching in Bato Rural
Development HighSchool, I carefully observed the
classroom management procedures of every teacher andI
also observed the class itself and the routinely activities of
the class was shown differenttechniques executed in
different subjects was found learning experience
worthwhile.My cooperating teacher holds me responsible
for handling the class. There weresituations that I handle
the class and I found out that it was very hard to handle
studentsespecially the secondary students with different
attitudes, behaviors, and personalities.There I encounter
hard-headed students who did not follow my instructions,
but behindall these, it was still quite challenging.Before I
taught a lesson I ask her permission about the strategies I
am going toexecute, she supported me and give a pieces
of advice for the success of the lesson. Andif there were
times that students are difficult to discipline, she was
there at my back tohelp me in disciplining those
students.During the times that I need help in preparing a
lesson plan for my finaldemonstration, she was alwa
ys there to guide me in designing my lesson plan. I’m
very
open to her suggestions and advices, we have good
relation. That’s why I’m very much
thankful to have her as my cooperating teacher.

WORKING WITH STUDENTS

As a student teacher we’ve come to meet diverse students, having different
attitudes and personalities. Some were friendly and easy to deal with. They listened
toinstructions and open for suggestions. There were students who are easy to
discipline.But there were also students who are naughty. These students were so
hardheaded and
they don’t listen to your instructions at once. You should repeat it all the time so
that they
would understand.I found it hard dealing with them, there were times that they
follow your
instructions but after a while they don’t care about you and the
lesson you taught.
That’s
why I thought I really have to speak with them personally. So I ask first my
cooperating
teacher about those students that’s why I found out that those student has family
problem,
has financial problem and some are trying to test teachers patience.Harmonious
relationship between teacher and students must be strengthen and beworked out.
For me, it was very important that you were able to understand your

learner’s overt behavior, because of that, you will be able to guide your st
udents well anddevelop them holistically.Lastly, based from my experiences as a
student teacher, I was able to know that agood relationship of teacher and students
really relies on the hands of the teacher. And asa teacher, you have to treat your
pupils the right one fairly and you can only treat themright if you know your
students well

WORKING WITH FELLOW STUDENT TEACHERS

We are twenty eight student teachers assigned in Bato Rural
Development HighSchool. Most of us were female an
d classmates too that’s why e have good relation from
each other and we made a strong bonding while preparing instructional
materials duringour vacant time. We eat our snacks together while
having some fun by sharing ourexperiences we had that day. We are
very open to each other when it comes to problemsand other experiences
during off-campus teaching. We helped each other in doing manythings
regarding activities in school. We also helped each other in terms of
instructionalmaterials like laptop, books and many more. And if there
were times that some of myfellow student teachers encounter a problem
with her teacher, we just give them pieces of
advice that will help them be strong and don’t lose hope.
There were also times that westayed in one classroom just to share the
accomplishment and experiences that every oneof us has done.
The very thing that I’m going to miss in my off
-campus teaching with my fellowstudent teacher was during afternoon
when we are having our lunch; we have funny andinteresting stories to
share.
Lastly, I will never forget the happy moments we shared together and th
e jokesthat serves to enlighten our boring as well as tiring days. This off-
campus teachingexperience gives me opportunity to personally know my
fellow student teachers, this help
me realize the important meaning of this phrase “don’t judge the book
by its cover”
because you will never know the true personality of an individual until
you meet them personally and work with them.These are some of the
happy moments and unforgettable experiences that I willtreasure during
my off-campus practice teaching at Bato Rural Development High
Schoolwith my fellow student teachers