Week 1 Reflection

Tonight was the first time we "met" and feeling overwhelmed! I only had a week off in between student teaching and this class, so mentally I was not ready for more work. However, I am keeping in mind this is my last class and can finally receive my certification! 

I am very happy with how class went today. Compared to some online classes I have taken in the past, students were never given time to work on their assignments during class. Today, students completed the first two discussions which required to explore two sites with teacher resources. I really liked those sites and saved the links just in case I need some help with lesson planning. 

Thank you Dr. Steffes for letting class have time to work on first assignments and answer questions. Going over and clarifying assignments from day one, gives students an idea on how much time they have and what is to be expected. I dislike when professors wait until the end of the semester and give out projects. 

Overall, I am looking forward the next couple of weeks and learn about teaching language arts. I have a quite busy weeks ahead with class, going back to the school I student taught for events including seeing my 5th graders graduate, and start packing for my move back home. Am I the only one feeling overwhelmed? 




Question: Was there a syllabus for the class that I just happened to miss? Or do you guys have any questions for me? 

Comments

  1. Leslie FosterMay 4, 2017 at 6:37 AM

    I felt overwhelmed at first too I normally do after the first class. But I just keep telling myself student teaching will be much harder and more work. And I keep telling myself these are my last two classes so I can do it!!!! I try to not get so overwhelmed anymore because it only makes it worse!!! I will be glad when these two classes I am in are over though I won't lie about that. There was a syllabus on the course schedule on Columbia college website that is where I got mine before class started. I am a nervous wreck about student teaching. Any tips for me ?

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    Replies
    1. SandyCMay 4, 2017 at 6:13 PM

      Good point! I just felt overwhelmed because I am transitioning from being the teacher to being the student. My teacher gave me the class 3-4 weeks into the semester since she saw I was ready. Try not to stress about student teaching! It is one of best experiences I have had! I tell other people who are student teaching pretty soon, to have fun and get to know the students. Also, have great communication/relationship with your cooperative teacher. You will have a mental breakdown with MoPTA, but that is normal. Trust me.

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    2. Leslie FosterMay 5, 2017 at 1:26 PM

      Thanks for the advice! I am not nervous about the teaching part just the MOPTA part! I am so excited to be in the class room!!

      Delete
  2. M.Melissa MooreMay 4, 2017 at 5:44 PM

    I printed my syllabus from the Columbia College website where I registered for my classes. They used to get emailed to us a week before class but they don't do that anymore for some reason. Going through the CC website is harder to find it sometimes. I do have a question for you. What did you like most about student teaching and what did you like the least about student teaching? I do my student teaching in Spring 2018, any tips would be greatly appreciated. :)

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    1. SandyCMay 4, 2017 at 6:21 PM

      Thank you Melissa. I thought maybe since I signed up last minute, I had missed out on an email. I honestly enjoyed my 4th/5th graders. I do suggest to try different grade levels before looking for teaching jobs. I never thought I would like teaching those grades, but I enjoyed those ages. Once I got to know them personally, I felt more comfortable teaching and had great communication with not only students' parents, but also other teachers in my unit and other staff in the building. The least thing I liked about student teaching was saying goodbye on my last day. I was an emotional mess and didn't help that my students and parents all surprised me at the end of the day with gifts, cards, and treats. I think you will do great! Have fun, but also be professional. :)

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  3. Paige SmithMay 5, 2017 at 6:21 PM

    Sandy,

    I also really liked that we got time to work on assignments and discussions in class! That's very unlike my other virtual classes - so I'm feeling good about this one so far! I can only imagine going from student teaching straight into a summer class, so kudos to you! I'm super excited for you that this is your last class before certification! That's such an accomplishment. I cannot WAIT for that day. :) You're definitely not the only one feeling overwhelmed... I'm right there with you! But if you look for the syllabus on the CC website (under academics, then find our course) it should help keep you organized!

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  4. tinaMay 5, 2017 at 7:20 PM

    Wow, I can see where you feel overwhelmed. Though to be almost to the end and already have your student teaching out of the way is great. This is my first class after getting accepted into the teacher program so I am very nervous about what is to come. I do think it is wonderful that Dr. Steffes gave us a long enough break and time to work on assignments. The class time was spent actually learning and working versus just sitting and listening for 3 hours. I do not sit well so that is hard for me. I like to move around a lot and depending on what is going on at our house and how much talking I have to do, I like to walk around the kitchen while listening but with having to talk alot that is impossible. To get the syllabus I went to Columbia College on the home page and looked up academics early summer classes and printed it from there but I think she now has it in the content. I think I remember seeing it there. Good luck with this class and your move back home.

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  5. Terri SteffesMay 10, 2017 at 7:21 AM

    I didn't know that we used to send syllabi in the email! Maybe I just wasn't told? If you like that, I will do that for future classes!!

    ReplyDelete

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