observations

I have just finished my observations in a high school photography class. I visited the school 9 separate times. Each time having more involvement with the students then I had the previous class. I think the students were afraid to ask me questions at first. Maybe they did not think that I would be able to properly answer their questions. The first few visits I stayed towards the side of the room, attempting to stay out of the way of the teacher. A few visits in, it was time for me to teach my own lesson. I worked with the teacher in the classroom to create a lesson. I used a lesson from her curriculum, however I was allowed to tweak the assignment sheet in order to fit the lesson the way I wanted to teach it. The teacher that I was with, Mrs. R was really great at answering my questions and giving me pointers on how to be a better teacher. After I tought my lesson I could really see the students opening up to me. They began to ask me questions and I felt very confident in my abilities to answer their questions. On my second to last visit one of the students told me that she wished I could stay all year in the classroom with them. I began to feel that I had truly made an impression on some of the students. This was confirmed when I was given a final good-bye card from all the students. They all signed their names and wished me good luck in becoming a teacher. Some of the students shook my hand or hugged me goodbye. I really enjoyed my time working with these students and it has reinforced my want to be an educator.