Running head: REFLECTIONS 1

Reflections

Alva Lynn Craig

Education 2301

Paris Junior College

REFLECTIONS 2

This semester I had the pleasure of doing my observation at Lamar Elementary in

Greenville, TX. My class consisted of seventeen extremely energetic kindergarteners. Ms. Jodie

Brookshire was my mentor. I will admit that this observation was more challenging than last

semester.

My first observation was at LP Waters Elementary. The classrooms are equipped with

teachers aids. There were none provided in the class that I did my observation in this semester,

just teacher and students.

Patience and understanding are key to taking on a classroom full of five-year old’s in my

opinion. But they are so incredibly eager to learn anything that you put in front of them and

easily excitable when you praise their efforts.

I really enjoyed this experience and Ms. Brookshire for mentoring me. I felt right at home

with the students. I was especially excited that Ms. Brookshire allowed me to teach the children

about the Life Cycle of a Butterfly. I brought my personal model of The Life Cycle of a Butterfly

so that the students could hold, touch, feel and experience the different stages the caterpillar

takes in becoming a beautiful butterfly. This was so rewarding for me. I feel that I am ready to

take that next step in becoming a teacher. I believe that I will make a great teacher once I am

given my own class.

Ms. Brookshire is such a wonderful teacher. The students were very comfortable with her

and just loved the patience and attention that she gave each of them. They were very sad when I

finished my observation and would not be coming back. However, I have been invited to come

back for field day on May 22, 2019. The students will be so surprised.
REFLECTIONS 3

I observed Ms. Brookshires’ class to be both teacher-centered as well as child-centered.

The students took instruction well and once class work was completed, the students were free to

engaged in different work stations of their choosing. The students worked well in groups and are

willing to help one another.

I would like to be the kind of teacher that allows the students to give feedback in helping

me to help them. I feel that working together with the students and making them feel that their

feedback on lessons taught are equally as important to me and we can work together to make

class-time successful.

In closing I would like to thank Dr. Ellis for being a great teacher last semester and this

semester. I cannot thank you enough for all that you have helped me with. Thank you Dr. Ellis.