For the last week I have been debating how I want to blog about my first experience at my placement school and couldn’t settle on a topic to address. Instead of tossing back and forth between “should I or shouldn’t I” remarks, I now realize I could have just explained the craziness I stepped into on the first day. It wasn’t the “typical” day I had imagined; observing students and teaching strategies, starting new connections or even getting to know learning styles of some of my students. I did do all of those things at some point, but my mind was entirely focused on the “surplus situation”.
The placement school that I am currently at has too many teachers for the amount of students, and therefore one teacher has the unfortunate task of heading to a different school. While this whole process took me by complete surprise, I soon realized that this was just the beginning of the problem. Despite the fact that it is just one teacher leaving the school, it directly affects almost every classroom. Students are being be shuffled to balance classroom numbers, prep times and duty times are changing, teachers are shifting from teaching one grade to another, or even shifting to an entirely new position altogether. Even though this may be second-nature to some educators, I had NO idea that this could ever happen. I can’t even begin to imagine being three weeks into the school year and having to start from scratch. When I first got emerged into the issue myself (my Associate Teacher shifting positions), I felt lost about what was going to take place over the next few weeks. However, looking back on last week, I am thankful that I got to experience this, I learned some great lessons. I saw first-hand how a “typical” day can be turned upside down by one short staff meeting. Teacher traits that I have read about over and over again finally came to life. Flexible. Adaptable. Open-minded. I was in awe. Teachers becoming frantic inside had to remain calm in front of the students who knew nothing of what would soon be taking place. Most importantly, I saw how a small school community stuck together, collectively agreeing to work through the rearrangements together.
Tomorrow should prove to be an exciting day!
Caitlin,
ReplyDeleteWhen student numbers are down enough to warrant closing a classroom, the school boards step in; the formula for staffing takes over. It is difficult for both teachers and students alike. Students have their developing allegiances to their early September teachers. As well, they are in the midst of establishing friendships in new classroom settings early on so any physical disruption is felt by them as well.
On the other hand, Sept. reorganization can work to add another teacher when the school population has increased enough to warrant an additional teacher and classroom. Not too many teachers would bemoan the fact that they need to start again when their class size is reduced in number making teaching much more manageable. In this case, starting again is a very positive experience.
Think of this experience at your internship site as a cloud with a silver lining! You will now be in a position to learn from two separate associate teachers. It is like having two placements in one.
I completely agree Giselle. Everything worked out quite well! I'm looking forward to being able to view multiple teaching strategies and lesson ideas. It should be an exciting experience. Thanks again for helping me out with everything!
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