This practicum allowed me to flourish with the skills I had learned and worked on in EDUC 391, it was a fantastic experience understanding how pieces were supposed to come together. I loved teaching social studies, as it was my first time, I came in with knowledge from my undergrad and attempted to create engaging discussions and used KWL charts often. While the students in 391 were amazing and taught me so much, there were many instances where I did not know what to do with the information being presented, but – when faced with similar situations in 490, I felt confident looking backwards at how I reacted previously and shifted my reactions accordingly. I had a coaching teacher (CT) that was entirely encouraging and supportive, she was amazing. Working alongside of my CT, other TCs, and the staff at my practicum school, I was given lasting support and resources that feel so accessible now, after finishing both 391 and 490.
I learned that the more you teach, the more you adjust or shift your thinking on the spot – students are children and their lives apart from school are different every single day and their needs are different every day when they return to the classroom. I ensured that I had a very structured plan, but instead of remaining true to the plan when things are clearly not in the right space, I learned to adjust and feel confident in making those choices (alongside my CT at the beginning and gaining more autonomy by the end).
As I finished my practicum, I recognized that I need to ensure that I learn as much as possible in EDUC 491 about summative assessment. I know that summative assessment is integral to reporting and teaching, but it is a goal of mine to understand how it can be easily integrated into teaching and learning without written tests alone. I can achieve this goal by asking questions, observing others and creating different assessments! Practice creates confidence and a smoother transition for students – which is the end goal! Another goal for 491 is to add hands-on learning into many lessons, creating a balance between written, practical, and exploratory learning, whether it is through ADST or outdoor learning or a subject like health even!
EDUC 490 transformed my thinking (AGAIN) and I feel ready to embark on my EDUC 491 journey with skills, tools, and resources from all areas of my learning.
