How My Internship Has Affected Me

Karissa Speckhart

Going into my interning experience, saying I was nervous would have been a severe
understatement. I was constantly consumed with my fear of rejection and fear of making a fool
of myself. In all honesty, (partially due to the pandemic) I had become a very introverted and shy
person. However, despite my nerves, the morning of my first day I got ready and hoped for the
best. After completing my first week, my internship turned out to be nothing like what I
would’ve expected. My fears of rejection were immediately subsided when I had around 20 tiny
students eager to get my attention for approval on their artwork. In addition, not only was my
cooperating teacher, Mrs. Lynch, super supportive and welcoming but also worked with me and
showed me the ropes of her teaching methods. My first week at Cooke Elementary helped
mentally prepare me for the following weeks to come. To my surprise, the experience that I
originally thought would fuel my anxiety, turned out to be one of the most fun and enjoyable
experiences of my high school career.
The final week of my internship was truly impactful. I received so much love in the
forms of skittles and artwork by the kindergarten classes from Mrs. Lynch, as well as cards and
hugs from the first-grade classes! Reflecting on my time at Cooke Elementary, I had learned so
many teaching skills such as communicating directions, keeping students on task, the importance
of having backup activities, and the pivotal role of organization in assigning activities (especially
with paint) for younger students! I had an outlet where I could practice public speaking skills,
multitasking, patience, and imaginative thinking. Because of this acquired skillset, I feel that I
have matured as both a student and an individual in a way I believe to be unique to this teaching
internship. Additionally, I have personally become more outgoing and encourage myself to step
out of my comfort zone more. I am truly grateful for my time at Cooke Elementary and the
personal growth I have experienced due to my exposure to the teaching career path.