Friday was the last day of field experience. The whole week the Kindergarteners kept asking when my partner and I would be leaving to go back to our school. Though they did not want us to leave, they were eager to give us a surprise they had been planning for us (without telling us there was a surprise for our last day)!
When Friday hit, the Kindergarteners were very sadden to say their final goodbyes to my partner and I. Right before we got the students ready for lunch, my cooperating teacher gave us our surprise she and the students made for us (a book of pictures they colored and wrote about themselves so we would not forget them). We were given our books and had time to talk to each student about what they colored and why they chose that. During this time, the students were excited to describe their picture, forgetting that in 10 minutes we would be leaving to go back to our school.
On the way to lunch, I was walking with one little boy who was attached to my hip at all times during my field experience. He said to me, "Can I tell you something, Ms. Ashley?" I surely said "Yes, what's up?" He says to me, "You know, since you are going to be a teacher, one day I know you will be my teacher so I'm giving you a see you later hug!" As cute as his statement was and as much as it made me happy he was eager to have me as his teacher later on, it was very hard to explain to him that I would not be his teacher as I hope to teach Kindergarteners or 1st graders when the time comes. So instead of disappointing him, I said, "You know what, maybe one day I will be your teacher!"The smile on his face made me think I made the right choice of becoming a future educator!
This experience brought with it happy times and memories, challenges with multiple personalities of the students, but most importantly made me realize that teaching is what I am supposed to do with my life. I want to be the teacher students are excited to see each day. I want to be a positive role model in young children's lives. I want to show children they can succeed even when given challenges they have no control over in their lives. Because of this experience, I cannot wait to have my own classroom!
I also made a lot of memories and there were happy times during my field experience. I will definitely remember these kids and how I was able to learn from them. They also helped me to learn to become a better teacher. My cooperating teacher also taught us some good lessons. One that I really remember and will take into future classrooms, is that teachers are always learning and they CAN make mistakes. You are a good teacher when you know that you are not the best teacher and you can learn from your mistakes.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear that you had such a good experience! I also found it hard to say good-bye to the students. Were there any students that had a harder time with you guys leaving? Did you find anything that helped calm them down? I like that you agreed to the see you later hug, I think that that would help some of the students. I can't wait to hear more about your experience tomorrow!
ReplyDelete