The smile says it all, I love being in the classroom! I had the pleasure of spending my first practicum at RLC and have continued to help out in the classroom since. This class was the first class I got to teach on the road to becoming a teacher and they have left an impression on me. A piece of me will always be with them as they helped to shape my teaching practice, allowed me into their learning journey, and I love their excited faces when I walk into the classroom.
My love of hands-on learning and engaging students with play-based and land-based learning came from watching Magic School Bus episodes and reading the books to my kids when they were younger. I feel like I am the real Ms. Frizzle with my love of science and connecting students to real-life learning with enthusiasm.
I put my heart into teaching and making learning fun. My second lesson was on the school’s pyjama day and the students were so excited that I wore my robe and slippers to school. I love that I can create a fun and engaging learning environment and can’t wait for a reason to wear my Magic School Bus Ms. Frizzle dress! I want to remember moments like this when the tough days come because they will, but these photos and memories will remind me that this is where I am meant to be.
It’s not what we teach, but the kind of teacher we are. I look back at my education over the years and there are teachers who I remember for the way they connected with me and the teaching style they embraced. Sure the curriculum they taught was important, but it is the way the engaged students to learn and how they cared about me as a person and what mattered to me. This resonates with me so much as I think building relationships with my students is the first step in being able to help my students learn. “Great teachers create great learners, and great learners create (hopefully) members of our community.” How I make my students feel has a direct impact on providing them with a place where everyone can learn and succeed in their own way. For me, that connect to social emotional learning (SEL) which is at the heart of my teaching style.
https://www.drshelleymoore.com/post/reassessing-the-rubric – Podcast with Shelley Moore.
Dr. Shelley Moore addresses issues with how rubrics are utilized, particularly after their evolution influenced by online resources, which have shifted their original intent. In this Podcast episode, Shelley talk to Outside Pin Laurie McIntosh, a Kindergarten teacher, who is using continuums to create accessibility and challenge for ALL her students.
Inclusion is very personal to me and the struggles that have faced students (and their parents) over the years can leave a negative impact on those involved. For those students with exceptional and diverse needs, they were assessed in the same way as other students. If they even participated in the same learning opportunities as the rest of their classmates, as often they were removed for special education resources help or in different classroom entirely. I value a holistic approach to learning and how we assess all students where they are at in their learning journey and abilities.
Some teaching inspiration that reflects what matters and is important to me. My first practicum group at RLC – the support and laughter we had during our eight weeks. Images and quotes from online that resonated with me regarding social emotional learning, relationship building and inclusion. The photo depicting the classroom and each seat has a story to tell is an important reminder that we need to be mindful that when students arrive for the day, they may be carrying trauma or things that feel so heavy in their hearts and it can have an impact on how they learn. My growing home library of teacher resources as professional development is important for my growth mindset as a teacher.
