Student Teaching Experience Reflection

“Learning is experience; everything else is just information” -Albert Einstein.

Going into my student teaching placement, I knew it would be filled with many

trials and errors, but I also knew it would be filled with firsts that were

exhilarating, reminding me why I went into teaching in the first place. Throughout

the semester, I experienced these emotions and everything else in between. My

experiences in this placement have profoundly impacted what type of teacher I will

be. I not only grew as an educator but as a human being too. I learned that making

mistakes is okay and should be welcomed, not everything will go as planned, and to

enjoy the moments in between.

Since my student teaching placement took place in the spring, I was entering

a classroom that had been established for a couple of months already. Relationships

had been built, and expectations, rules, and guidelines were set. I was an outsider

coming into the classroom with no idea what to expect. However, even though I was

an outsider entering their classroom, Mrs. Wietzema’s class welcomed me with open

arms. During my placement, I made many mistakes, and the students never shied

away from telling me so. I learned to own up to the mistakes I made. I let them

know I do not mind when they point out my mistakes. I will make mistakes as I go;

that is just part of life. I let them know that although I am teaching them, I am still

learning as I go, but I will try my best to do better the next time. When I made a

mistake, a common response from a couple of them was, “It’s okay, Miss Ward, keep
going. You got this.” I will forever be grateful for this fourth-grade class because

they gave me the grace needed to make mistakes; they were patient and kind at

times, giving me enough courage to keep going.

As the semester progressed, I quickly learned that there would be times

when everything you thought would happen doesn’t happen and to expect the

unexpected. This often occurred with behaviors. I have been in a couple of

classrooms throughout my schooling career and worked with various students.

However, I never had students flat-out refuse to do assignments, even when offered

an alternative way of doing the assignment. With guidance from Mrs. Wietzema, I

learned that it is best to approach this situation with firmness, kindness, and

understanding. First, get to know why they do not want to do the assignment; if it is

something they do not understand, reteach it and then talk them through its piece

by piece. Lastly, break it into smaller parts for them, and have them do a couple of

questions here and there. I also learned that students will not always follow

directions the first, second, third, or fourth time around. In these situations, you

remind them what your expectations and then you are firm with them when they do

not follow them. In teaching, nothing is always going to happen as you plan it.

When these situations arise, taking a step back, reevaluating, and trying again is

essential.

Every day in the classroom seemed to move a million miles a minute, but

sometimes it would slow down enough to enjoy the moment(s). It was the little
moments when I would make copies when students were in the library, and I would

pass through, and they would all smile and wave instantly, saying, “Miss Ward! Hi

Miss Ward.” Another moment that sticks out to me was when we had to read a book

that brought up a lot of emotion for all of us. At that moment, I watched every

single one of them offer soft smiles, reassuring eyes, and side hugs. They gave each

other strength when some of their classmates were struggling. Those small

moments are one of the reasons I wanted to go into teaching in the first place. They

usually happen in the simplest moments but leave the most significant impact.

I could write a novel on my student teaching experience. But instead, I will

sum it up in one word, thankful. I will forever be grateful to Mrs. Wietzema’s class

for allowing me to learn and grow with them. For giving me the grace to make

mistakes, for challenging me, for making me realize not everything will go as

planned, and for giving me the moments that reminded me why I became a teacher.

I have grown through this experience and have learned an abundance.