Friday May 17:

Friday our class had a TOC, and an EA in for our class EA. This was the first time
the TOC had been in our class. When the TOC came in I showed her around the
class and talked to her about the students that need extra support, have IEPs, and
health concerns. I then let her know what our plan for the day was and where
support would be needed.
To start the day, we played outside. During this time, I did an overview
attendance of the students and a walk around check in with them. At this time the
EA had arrived for the day and I as well introduced her to our TOC. The EA TOC
had been in our class a few days this week already, so I was already aware of how
she interacted with the students and worked. The TOC let me know that she was
typically in intermediate classes, so this wasn’t a normal environment for her.
Knowing this I did let her know how would need support and that her wondering
around and providing that through the day would be best.
After coming in from play students knew their routines and we started our
morning. I conducted the attendance as I had noticed the TOC seemed to be
looking around at the classroom set up.
Students were doing catch up most of the day with art after recess. I had already
walked the TOC through what the students had to do and what work they had
already done and needed to be complete. I again mentioned the students who
would need support. The EA was also here when we were doing this work
previously, so she was also aware of expectations.
During this work period I was conducting self-assessments and helping our
anxious students in the class. I had already let the TOC know that these students
would work with me as working with someone new could cause stress for them.
The TOC tried to work with these students but I then intervened and pulled them
to the back table with me and again redirected and asked her to work with our
low students at the front.
After our morning work period I walked students through what we were doing in
art. As we had extra time, we distributed the materials before they went outside
and had their desks ready to begin when they came in. When I was briefing the
TOC in the morning, I walked her through what we were doing In art. When the
students went outside for recess, I again walked her through it and let her know
moving around the class and making sure students are on task and able to follow
along would be the best help during that time. When the students came in the
TOC told me she was going to work at the back and do the art with the us. I again
mentioned some students may need help. Our EA at the time instruction began
let the student she works with try to follow the instruction independently. He
wasn’t able to. She then came and told him you need to follow and listen, left him
at his desk, and went and sat at the back. He then coloured his hand with his oil
pastel as he was escalated at the time from coming inside. This resulted in the EA
telling him he can’t do this and needs to follow the instructions. I then had to ask
the EA to sit with him and provide the side-by-side support he needs during this
time. I tried to explain before the art had started when I showed her what we
were doing that just because he followed along yesterday doesn’t mean he will
today. I preloaded her with the expectation that he would need her to sit beside
and support him through it. This didn’t happen which then resulted in the further
escalation.
As the students were finishing the drawing part, I directed the TOC to fill the
water colours so students can start painting. As they were painting, I wandered
around and supported students. I then cleaned the classroom and got our next
activity ready while the students were out for lunch.
During their eating time I chatted with Colleen, TOC read students a story, after
this time I went outside where the students were having extra play time on the
playground. At one point I came inside to get two students’ band-aids. I went
back outside, and the TOC was nowhere to be seen watching the students. I then
found her beside the portable with a student looking at his bike. This was one of
many things that had happened that was eye opening to me as a future TOC and
educator. The importance of being present and supportive in a classroom no
matter what your job is that day or who you are working with is extremely
important. If I were to walk into a classroom as a TOC and there was a student
teacher, I would want to do all I could to support them knowing how stressful it is
as a student teacher myself. As well knowing that at the end of the day they are
just a student teacher and I am the one who is fully responsible for what happens
in this classroom I am in.
That afternoon we had another work period. During this time, I received little to
no support from the other adults in the room. I was working on assessments for
both maps, and living thing reports as well as trying to support the students with
their work. At one point the EA had lost her student in the school as he went to
change, and she didn’t follow him fast enough to see what bathroom he went in.
This then caused stress as she came to me saying she couldn’t find him. The EA
and TOC then went looking for him as he returned to the class minutes later from
changing. The EA came in upset with him after I had already told her I talked to
him. The student is not aware what he did was wrong as he knows when he is hot
and uncomfortable his first thing to do is go and change to be comfortable.
After this the TOC and EA began chatting in the back. The TOC was as well taking
pictures around the classroom and sort of doing her own thing. This was after I
had already mentioned the students who would need support. As an educator in
that moment, I couldn’t allow my vulnerable students go un-helped when there
are lots of adults in the room to provide support. I asked again for both the EA
and TOC to support the students who were sitting there struggling. The response I
got from the EA was “yes no problem we can both go help upfront and carry our
conversation up there.” In this moment I knew these students would not be
receiving the support they needed, as the TOC and EA continued to talk and
provide a lack of support and attention to the students. Rather do the work for
them.
This whole day was very eye opening to me. Not only did it make me realize how
much passion I have for my career and wanting to do well and noticing so many
things that as an educator I feel morally and ethically driven to do and the care I
am going to take with me into every school whether I am there to TOC or be a full
time teacher. It also allowed me to realize what it feels like to be the solo teacher
in the classroom. I had to experience a day being the leader in the classroom and
directing other adults and advocating for my students to get support that is right
in front of them. I definitely walked away stressed and upset. After talking with
Thea about my day it was really eye opening to me what I will be walking into
very soon.