Running head: Reflection Paper 1

Reflection Paper

Jeania Wells

April 19, 2020

Paris Junior College

EDUC 2301.400 Dr. Marian Ellis

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This year for EDUC 2301 I had the opportunity to observe Ms. Lacey’s high school

ELAR classes at Pioneer Technology and Arts Academy in Greenville, Texas. Ms. Lacey teaches

grades eight through eleven. I walked away with a new perspective when it comes to teaching

older children after having this experience. Prior to my observation hours I had some

preconceived notions of why teaching high school would not be a good fit for me, I was all

wrong!

Biggest take away from this experience was, pick and choose your battles! Ms. Lacey

shared with me that I must keep in mind this is a time in the student’s lives that new changes are

overwhelming them. Ms. Lacey showed compassion along with maintaining an authoritative lead

in her classroom, I admired this about her style. The students were receptive of her ability to

embrace changes and adapt. This was most prevalent as I observed right as the world started

shutting down with the pandemic Covid-19.

Sitting in the room observing I was able to tune into the student’s learning concepts while

having fun. The playful banter and execution of the TEKS that Ms. Lacey was teaching the week

I observed proved that her style of teaching was effective at reaching her students outside of the

box. I would say that Ms. Lacey’s style of teaching would be student-centered. Some things I

noticed with her approach was more participation from her students, they seemed to retain the

information better, the students seem to rely heavily on their peers, and as I mentioned earlier,

the students were having fun while learning.

I was amazed at how flexible Ms. Lacey was in swiftly acclimating herself to her

different classes. I observed her teaching “Romeo and Juliet” to one class and then “The Pearl”

to another. The way she must adjust the teaching level from eighth grade to eleventh grade then

from honors to regular was inspiring. I hope one day I can just roll with the punches as coolly as
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she does. The students all seem to enjoy coming into her classroom and participating. The whole

time I was in Ms. Lacey’s class I never saw or heard a student become irate, have a breakdown,

or seem confused. I feel like this speaks volumes on how she manages her classroom.

Going in I believed all high school kids were goof ball type slackers who were just there

to complain about any type of work assignment. This observation changed my perception on day

one! The students were eager to participate, acquisitive with the lesson plans she presented, and

intent on doing their best work. How many teachers can say that about their class? Undoubtedly,

the reactions of the students are based on Ms. Lacey’s teaching style. In my future classroom I

plan on constantly reminding myself that it is okay to loosen up in order to reach more students.

Being too authoritative in the classroom can cause walls to go up that may inhibit learning. This

was an influential key point that I will strive to recognize as I continue my journey in education.