 Student teaching was most valuable
By Dani Broe When I first started at CU, going into education hadn't really crossed my mind. I had so many ideas about what I wanted to do that I decided not to declare a major, but to try different courses and find my niche. After friends and family started suggesting that I teach, I tossed the idea around, and then figured: "What the heck, I'm going to go for it!'' Starting the education program at CU, I had no idea what to expect. I didn't know there was such a thing as standards. I didn't know how challenging it could be to manage a classroom of 29 fifth-graders. I didn't know how much thinking and self-reflecting was involved. I didn't know how much I didn't know. Still, CU prepared me in many ways for what I was going to experience as a future teacher. CU allowed me to work in a variety of schools and settings. In university courses I discussed with my classmates such hot topics as racism, learning styles and how to handle upset parents. I learned about the standards, both for teachers and for students. But perhaps the most valuable preparation I received was through student teaching. I finally got to see for myself what real teaching was all about. One of the hardest parts was seeing kids down on themselves because of grades. Toward the middle of the semester, I gave a math test. About half the class passed with flying colors while the other half clearly struggled. I separated the two groups, moving the first group ahead as planned, and offering the second group additional practice. Several of the boys from the second group were not thrilled. "Don't worry, Miss Broe,'' they said. "We know why we're here. We failed the test. We're stupid.'' That wrenched my heart. But I knew it wouldn't be fair to them to ask them to move to new concepts when they hadn't mastered the previous ones. I stuck with my gut, and it paid off. Those students, with the extra help I provided, gained self-confidence. After giving them a bit more attention, I could tell the math was clicking. Later, I stopped at one boy's desk and asked, "How ya doin?'' He looked up at me, smiled and said, "I get this!'' I smiled back and said, "I knew you could.'' The final days of my student teaching were bittersweet. The kids had made so much progress, each in his own way, and I was so proud of them. At the same time, it was sad to see them go. My time with them had gone so quickly. It really hit home when one of my students came to me on the last day and said, "Miss Broe, I don't want to leave fifth grade.'' I reminded him that all his friends would be going to middle school with him and that it was going to be a really great time. "I know,'' he said, "but you have helped me have the best year of my life and I just don't want to leave.'' He leaned over and gave me the biggest hug his little arms could give. I knew then I had the best job in the world.
|
Age: 22
