Journal Entry # 1
Hopeful Beginnings
Jan 24, 2021
My first weeks of student teaching at Rocky Mountain High School were hopeful and unpredictable. We were remote the first two weeks and had prepared materials for students to pick up. I was so excited to start developing relationships and building community. This was a challenge. We took time to get to know our students and have them share with us what they are all about. In 2D design we started with designing a name plate collage so students could use symbolism to express "who am I?". There are thoughts I have had about how hard this is during a pandemic. I want to make a difference and show students how art can be a release. I am hopeful that I can share all of the skills I have learned in my studio classes. I had a moment where I was talking about composition and creating a collage layout that was a big eye opener. I felt the vocabulary came naturally and I was looking forward to assessing students understanding. I have mixed feelings about students coming back in person. I will only have them for 2 days a week so I expect to have some challenges with encouraging their time management.
I am encouraged to keep in mind that I am a beginner. Although I have lots of life experience I cannot expect to get it right the first time. I am noticing that my experience in the service industry gives me an advantage when it comes to classroom management. Managing restaurants is a lot like managing students. There are so many components to cover every day. Keeping track of who is quarantined and who is staying remote is my biggest challenge when it comes to management.
Journal Entry # 2
Breaking Through
Feb 9, 2021
I decided to become an educator to make a difference and make connections. High school was a wonderful experience for me. I was involved in music, art and theater. I want my students to have positive experiences that they will take with them as they move on in life. Balancing the daily work of planning lessons and managing a schedule has been a challenge. I am an empathetic person and my students emotions are really having an effect on me. I am doing my best to bring positive energy to my classroom. I found that playing music during work time and including comedy in my lessons are valuable tools to help lift their spirits. The pandemic has presented so many challenges for students and educators and I am reminding myself daily that we are all in this together and it is not always going to be so challenging.
Journal Entry # 3
Trust
Feb 23, 2021
It's week six and I my cooperating teacher has been letting me run all classes for a couple weeks. The trust I have established with my students has create mutual respect. One student in particular confided in me about her troubles at home. Her work ethic is superb and she knows that the art classroom is a safe place. I have also had students who were shy open up to me. I feel that it is my responsibility as an art educator to let my students know that bringing emotions to their art is therapeutic and encouraged. Creating lessons that allow for choice is important for emotional growth through art practice.
Journal Entry # 4
Connections
March 4, 2021
Wrapping up my eight weeks at Rocky was an emotional experience. My students made me realize why I decided to make this career change. Looking back I am humbled by the steep learning curve I experienced going from meeting students online to motivating them in the classroom.
I had some major health issues around the 7th week and I was challenged daily to not let them get in the way of my teaching experience. Just like working at a restaurant, it is important to "leave it at the door." It is fine to share your life with students but there are important boundaries that I prefer to establish at the beginning of a term.
I cultivated connections that really started to bloom and flourish towards the end. This made leaving an emotional experience that was extremely motivating. Hearing from students that you made a difference in their educational experience is so special. I love this!
Journal Entry # 5
New Point of View
March 29, 2021
My experience at Bacon Elementary has so far been quite eye-opening. The biggest difference has to do with energy. In high school students often required me to deliver the energy and excitement. Elementary students bring that energy to the classroom and feed me all day long. These kids are resilient and full of positive vibes. It's hard to not have a smile plastered on my face all day long.
Another big difference is the amount of classroom management required.
