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.