What is the most important thing you have learned during fieldwork observation? Why?
There could be many things I've learned being in the classroom with Mrs. C, but I think that the most important thing I've learned is classroom management and the importance of the teacher in the classroom. I think back to when I was a student in elementary school and how much I idolized my teacher and wanted their every ounce of attention, I got to see this first hand from the other perspective. My initial thought was how can someone handle thirty children in one room demanding approval on an art project, begging for help on a math problem, draining everything from one person. This was something I came into the classroom wanting to see how the teacher might respond, and Mrs. C did not disappoint.
Mrs. C with her chants to get the class to refocus, her rotating stations to help engage the kids as well as pulling them into small groups or even one on one to test them. She had a knack to making sure the children knew their rules and appropriate times to do and react. I think the most solid advice she gave me was that when implementing anything in the classroom that it takes time, and practice. If I wanted anything to be successful in the classroom, I needed patience and not to give up. Giving up would show the class that you aren't in control and therefore giving them the chance to get away with more than I wanted.
I think classroom management is something so important in order to not establishing balance in a classroom, but also promoting student growth. When rules and expectations are established students know what is expected and therefore can produce work that will not only accomplish an assignment or task, but also alleviate confusion and open communication to the teacher when there are problems in learning.
I've enjoyed the chance to watch Mrs. C's class and she has invited me back anytime I want to volunteer and honestly I think her teaching style and management skills are one that I would love to learn more of and she could be a really positive mentor to me in this career.
