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Don't Have A Cow, It's All Part of Student Teaching!

These past few weeks have really put me to the test, and I've been doubting that I could take on the incredibly important role of being a teacher. Watching my Mentor Teacher lead the class, and then attempting to do it myself made me see that I still have SO much to learn and while the classes at UCI I'm taking are very valuable, there's nothing quite like field work. The classes I had been taken at UCI prepared me for creating a culturally diverse class, and exposing my students to a range of thinkings that may be outside their world. Then I get to the classroom and realize that teachers have to balance a diverse class environment, staying on track, covering an incredible range of ability and learning styles in the classroom, and also trying to get through science, math, language arts, P.E., history, and reading all in 1 day. I also learned that classroom management is incredibly important, and I'm now 100% convinced students can sense when you're doubting yourself. Students are (sometimes brutally) honest and that made me realize that there's so much more to leading the class than having a good chant or occasionally reminding students to stay on task.

All that I had been experiencing at my student teaching, while also trying to balance a full class load at UCI had made me really question if I could do this program, and if I was meant to be a teacher. Then, I was able to go with my class on a field trip to the OC Fair Farm. While we still had some issues with managing 26 VERY excited students next to VERY big cows and horses, I had the most amazing time. I got to see a whole other side to my students; one that was outside of the classroom and they were so excited about. I got to talk to my students and hear what they thought about the animals and their guesses about how to run a farm. I got to see my students that normally can't sit still long enough to listen to simple directions hold a tiny baby chick with the sweetest little hands. I was able to spend a few hours not being a student teacher that is there to redirect and instruct them. This field trip has made class observations a little better now. I'm trying my best to get to know the students and talk to them about what they do during lunch and the sports they participate in after school. This has made classroom management for me so much smoother, and while I'm just there 2 days a week, I want those 2 days to mean something. I still have SO much to learn, and little victories like field trip days make it all worth it! 

Sweet little hands holding the little baby chick!
Little hands, big cow



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