Setting and Context

From observing my classroom placement this semester, I can confidently assess that the

classroom I have been placed in this semester is a safe space for students of many different

backgrounds. I have also noticed trauma informed approaches to teaching in the classroom I

have been placed in. Students are coming out of a pandemic and are going into their 4 th

abnormal year of schooling since the pandemic, which means a safe environment is more

important than ever before.

I am placed in Mrs. Solt’s and Mrs. Goldberg’s 9th grade ELA classroom. Their classroom

environment is much different from classrooms I have experienced in the past. For instance,

The wall between their classes was removed in order for them to co-teach. They could not be

more different from one another, but this works extremely well in their classroom. There is a

sort of gentle boldness present in their classroom setting. They are veteran teachers who grasp

when it is necessary to discipline students as well as when to let something go. We have also

witnessed a few classes where the lesson planned fell through or did not go as planned as well

as class period where the students and our mentor teachers are going through personal things

and had to shift the plan dramatically. I have observed an immense amount of flexibility and

understanding, which seems to be a necessity in classrooms coming out of a pandemic. I even

found it hard to pinpoint when the day was going awry because our mentors were so flexible

with materials and patient with students.

One class period that stuck out to me was when students were doing what seemed to

be a standardized test and were called in for hearing tests immediately following the test.

Someone from administration, knowing they would struggle to get their many students to the
hearing tests while also proctoring the tests, came down to the classroom to help aid them in

both proctoring and sending students down to the nurse’s office. I was surprised at how well

this scenario went. They were supplied help from administration without asking and shifted

gears for their lesson plan for the day, as students were tired following the back-to-back events.

Mrs. Solt walked around to students who did not know the building well and asked them if they

needed help finding the nurses office as well. I felt that this showed just how dedicated she was

to create a safe and understanding environment for students.

I have noticed a particular need for flexibility in the classroom, especially when it comes

to acquiring the attention of students. Although they are generally good at listening, they seem

to have trouble paying attention for long periods of time. Students start class generally doing a

think, pair share, although the classroom structure tends to vary on a day-to-day basis.

Although structure is something that I believe generally helps student learning, the lack of

structure seems to cater to the flexibility many of these students need right now.

The students in my classroom seem to need an environment that is easily adaptable to

their needs while still being held responsible for their actions. As a whole school, Thomson

Valley seems dedicated to students on individual levels, which creates a community of

importance, no matter the need of the student. Through this importance, I believe that

Thompson Valley creates a space where students of varying abilities will be able to succeed.