It was my first day in the schoolroom. I was sitting in the back of the empty classroom talking to the teacher I would be helping throughout the semester. Ms. A* began teaching in 1991. Unlike me, her family had been in the teaching world for years; her mother was a teacher and her grandma was in education. Ms. A thought it would be “cool” to be a teacher. She had substituted in her mother’s kindergarten classroom. She did not like how clingy the students were, but she really liked teaching. We both had similar motives for wanting to be in the classroom. She explained how she wanted to make a difference in kid’s lives. She wanted to help kids feel good about themselves.
Ms. A spent four years in Louisiana teaching 8th grade Language Arts. She then moved to Oregon and substituted while she was getting certified to teach in her new home. She got called in to substitute for a life skills class. Ms. A didn’t know what that class meant…but she quickly learned that it was for students with disabilities. It became her permanent sub job and it was quite the challenge. She ended up getting a special education degree.
Ms. A was then moved to LRC for four years, which is a class for students with mild disabilities. She taught them reading, writing and math. However she didn’t like all the paperwork that went along with special education. She took a great deal away from the experience, though. Teaching those students gave her experience and techniques to deal with all types of students. Now, she is in a 7th grade Language Arts class.
She described her weakness as not disciplining her students. She believes that kids should be given the opportunity to be respectful. If someone is misbehaving she asks them to step out into the hall so there is not an audience for their bad behavior. Since it is the third week of school for them, Ms. A said that she still has some work to do with the kids.
Lessons are flexibly structured. The kids have an idea of what to expect and learn each day, but it’s the kids that drive the class. Ms. A explained how as a teacher, one plans for the average, but has to adjust along the way. In 7th grade they focus on social justice. This teaching strategy brings up social constructivism views.
*name has been changed
