Student Teaching Week #3 - Like a Gymnast!

G - generating new ideas constantly

Y - always asking "why"

M - magic in the classroom

N - "newbie" #teacher in training

A - artistic approach

S - smiles for miles

T - transitions are key

 

 

Gymnast, that is something that I always wanted to be.  I love the grace and the poise one has when they balance on a beam or bounce up from a split to do a 5 flip summersult.  It leaves me in awe at the combination of talent combined with a ton of practice and yet the confidence and determination written all over the athlete. 

Even though I was never a gymnast (yet - it is never too late to chase a dream!) I sort of feel like one as an agriculture teacher in training.  I am constantly reminded that it is important to be flexible as I plan and deliver my lessons, especially with the accumulating snow days!  I have to overcome my fears and worries of not being good enough, and instead focus on being the best person that I can.  Slowly, I am realizing that if I begin to give something my all and show sincerity then no one could ask for more. 

I have improved on some of my assignments and teaching techniques and I am beginning to feel more comfortable in front of the classroom.  Students seem to never know what type of learning technique they will experience.  Today, students were learning about measuring and had to measure their instructor (me) to prove how many inches are in a foot.  It was a fantastic interest approach.  However, I know that if I was not confident with that activity then it would have flopped - but instead it brough the magic to the classroom. 

 

 

"Why" is a question that I ponder with everything.  As an educator I am slowly starting to notice that people are not created equally.  I have encountered students who have drastically different types of backgrounds.  Students who can spend $100 on jeans (what?) to students who are not entirely sure what home is.  There are also students who try really really hard to learn basic concepts but struggle immensely to make the connection, right along side of students who have high intelligence but consciously choose to drop out of school.  I am baffled at the daily contradictions, and I still believe in the impossible because it spells "I'm Possible." 

As I continue this journey to be an educator I hope that I am never too foolish to think that I am an expert, because if so, that excuses me from the richest learning opportunities.  I hope that I will instead strive to be like a gymnast and bring with me confidence, determination, grace, and talent.

Second Week of Student Teaching!!! Quite the journey!

Hello Everyone!  

My second week of student teaching has excited and exhausted me I think I just need to do it but I feel all over the place.   Please check out my Video Blog and enjoy the photos.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

At an SAE visit - seeing a student with her horse and favorite rabbit!

A small rabbit who had to be bottle fed. 

First day teaching Ag Leadership Course.

Observing Mrs. Bier teach a rat dissection lab - very cool!

 My classroom management posters - very punny!!!

All my best, All the Time, 

-Jenna

PS - Please share your suggestions and words of wisdom!

Fantastic Beginning to a Great Journey!

What an eventful week of student teaching!  

Monday:

The week began with school being canceled on my first day because of icy weather.  This was sad because 1) it was my first day and 2) it was also Mid-Winter Convention.  Since school was canceled Mrs. Bier and I traveled to the Farm Show and met a few of our students there who braved the outside elements.  It was a nice day to bond and connect with Mrs. Bier and recognize our FFA members.  After Mid-Winter we went to the high school and I saw that Mrs. Bier already had a teaching desk for me and a sweet gift on top of the desk.  I left the school feeling very welcomed and excited to be a student teacher at Shippensburg

Tuesday:

I learned how to copy – always a highlight!  I also became acquainted with the janitor and secretaries.  I pretty much spent the day closely reviewing my syllabuses and observing the skills and style that Mrs. Bier used in the classroom.

Wednesday:

Things were getting exciting today!  Today I took over a class of two – Mrs. Bier has two classes that she instructs at the same time so I was able to follow her lesson plan and teach the smaller class.  It was really nice to interact with them and have a task to do.  I also began my wood shop project – I am making my own project so when I teach the students I am fully comfortable with all of the equipment and supplies.  

Thursday:

Today I had the joy of attending the band concert.  Four of the FFA officers are also in the band and it was wonderful to see them play.  During the school day I continued to teach the class of two and I worked on entering grades and taking attendance.

Friday:

I began interacting more with the students and congratulated the officers who were in the band.  They were so happy when they realized that I was there to support them.  I could tell that it truly meant a lot to them!  Additionally I was able to observe a stellar science teacher, Mr. Mancino, and picked up on a lot of classroom management techniques.

Overall, this first week of school went swimmingly!  I will be happy to learn more from Mrs. Bier and enjoy that she takes time every day to review content with me.  She is a great role model and I am blessed to be student teaching in Shippensburg!

Visiting a Science Classroom: Epic Learning

On January 16^th I had the privilege to visit Mr. Mancino’s biology classroom.  Shippensburg Area Senior High School has multiple science teachers, but Mr. Levy (school principle) told me to observe Mr. Mancino, so I knew I was in for a good lesson.  I was certainly impressed by watching Mr. Mancino teach.  It was clear that he has a positive vibe that the students instantly thrive off of.  The inflection in his voice captivated his learners and was very conversational and encouraged questions. 

Mr. Mancino began his lesson by stating the objectives and sharing how today instruction is connected to what they would learn on Monday and he did a stellar job of demonstrating a holistic view on what they were learning and how it relates to them.  Additionally, Mr. Mancino demonstrated a variety of teaching techniques by breaking up the activities for the class.  The instruction began with lecture, followed by independent learning using the textbook, next students were able to walk around the classroom to observe different organisms that the teacher had such as: frogs, mice, rabbits, snakes, turtles, and birds to name a few, and finally the class continued with more lecture and related videos.

Another thing that impressed me during the observation was that Mr. Mancino was very professional.  He was professional with his teaching style, his dress, and interaction with students.  It is very obvious that he is a great role model for his students.  Furthermore, Mr. Mancino connected his curriculum to three other academic subjects showing that his class is very much a cross-curricular experience. 

Overall, my time spent observing the science classroom was very beneficial and I am excited to use Mr. Mancino as another great resource during my time here at Shippensburg High School!   

Mid-Winter Convention!!!

January 12, 2015 was my very first day of student teaching.  This day that I had anticipated for a long time was canceled, but the life of an agriculture educator does not stop for a little bit of ice.  My cooperating teacher and I headed to the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg for the Mid-Winter Convention.  Since school was canceled we were not permitted to take students to the convention, however, some traveled with their parents to participate in the ceremony.  Shippensburg FFA had eight students who were selected for the FFA Jacket program and one student who earned the Keystone FFA Degree.  The Keystone Degree is the highest FFA degree that can be bestowed upon a member in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. 

During the convention I was able to take in all of the excitement as we members and guests listened to the speakers.  One of my favorite speakers who had a phenomenal message was Mrs. Sherisa Nailor who was representing the Pennsylvania FFA Alumni.  She helped to recognize the over 500 Freshmen FFA members as they received their stiff, crisp, new, and first every FFA Jacket.  As she recognized them she expressed that the FFA is like a family and that there is a plethora of hope for the advancement of agriculture and humanity because of young the Learners Today; Leaders Tomorrow (2014-2015 PA FFA Theme) in the blue jacket.   As Mrs. Nailor spoke I was able to reflect on the beginning of my personal journey with agriculture education and realized that mine starter seven years ago as I received that new corduroy jacket. 

In closing, I consider myself very blessed to be a part of the Ag Ed family and I am glad that my lifelong journey began seven years ago!