My Last Post on Placement

My second to last day was a wonderful experience for me. I got to sit in an English classroom and another classroom and see two completely different teaching styles. It was like putting wind in my sails. My last day was an "aha" moment for me. I realized at the end of the day that even though I did not enjoy my placement, the students took something from the time I was there. I was sitting in class (at my little desk at the back of the room) and a student raised her hand. She looked directly at me to see if I was coming over. I realized just then that regardless of how things went, in her eyes, I was a teacher.
I can honestly say that I learned a tremendous amount about the dynamics of a school during these last five weeks. I got to sit in on conversation in the faculty lounge (the cafeteria was a little bit crazy- they call it the food court and there is a Rita's and a McDonald's). I got to see student's interact with teachers they didn't like and teachers cover their dislike for students. I got to see great teachers and took some things from their teaching strategies and saw some horrible scenarios that as long as I do the polar opposite I will be fine. I was very thankful to see their use of technology not only in the classroom, but, in the school. There were classes that were technology based that were awesome. There were classes that did not incorporate technology at all that were awesome.
In summation, I did not get a lot of teaching time and did not get to see more than one English class in action, but, I walk away from this placement honestly saying that I have learned a lot about the dynamics of teachers and their students. Who knows? Maybe that was the biggest lesson that I needed to learn in order to be ready for the spring. Either way, I am happy to be done and ready to move on to student teach.