I have attended orientation at my placement school which I will refer to as Redken High School [this is a fictitious name]. Redken has a very rich history and gorgeous architecture. The school itself was built in the 1920s, but has undergone many additions through the years [such as a new library and a new English wing]. Redken is a D-6 high school that is bustling with school spirit.
When I went to my orientation this past Monday, I arrived shortly after school let out and was taken aback by the amount of people I saw spilling out of the building and the parking lots. The roads surrounding the school were packed with cars [all of which were massive along-side my wee Chevy Aveo]. I had to zoom around a maze of residential streets until I happened to find a road that took me to an available parking spot next to Redken's main entrance. A valuable lesson was learned from this mild adventure: Get there super early to avoid the colossal SUVs and the parking wars [just like my college campus]!!!
My orientation went very well. I had the privilege of meeting two well-seasoned and enthusiastic teachers who clearly love working at Redken and wanted to let all of us Pre-Student Teachers (PSTs) know that Redken is a wonderful place to be. They also gave us a disclaimer letting us know that Redken is about sincerity and a true love for teaching and for adolescents; if our students feel that we are not genuine, they will "eat us alive". That warning made me smile because I know how true those words are. I have seen insincere teachers annihilated by their students. It is a sad scenario, but I feel that it is necessary. "If you can't stand the heat, get outta the kitchen." And if you can't stand to teach, get outta the classroom because our children deserve to be taught by those who love our education system.
I have been very fortunate; I have never doubted my love for teaching. I have, however, doubted my intelligence and my professional capabilities. My greatest fear is to be an epic failure. I do not want to let my students down. If, after my first three years, I find myself to be lackluster.... I will leave the educational system to pursue a different career.
Now, enough of my uncertainties! On to the present endeavor: I found my orientation experience to be very positive. My fellow PSTs and I were given a full-scale tour of Redken. The school is huge! The building itself has three floors and most of the hallways are big enough to play a serious game of football in. I, who went to a rather large high school, was mildly intimidated by the looming corridors. I was shown the way to my Cooperating Teacher's (CT) classroom and hope that I will be able to properly recall the way there. If not, I have a map! Yes, a map is a practical teaching tool at Redken and I shall reference it endlessly this semester.
My CT, however, is still an enigma to me. I know that she has been teaching at Redken for two years, but taught at another local high school before that. She is a coach and an AVID teacher. --> [I have not yet given her a pseudonym because I have to meet her before I can properly create a new name for her. Pseudonyms are required to protect the privacy of my placement school, the school staff, and the students. This respect for privacy is very important to me.] -- That being said, I am looking forward to meeting the woman who will be guiding me as I co-teach within her classroom. It is crucial for me to build a strong and positive relationship with her so that, together, we can give our students the best learning environment possible.
My first day working with my CT will be Thursday [tomorrow!] and I am very excited. I will be working with Freshmen who are a little behind grade level and who are in need of extra support within their English classroom. Keeping this in mind, my personal goals as a Pre-Student Teacher will be to:
- Learn who my students are (their names, interests, and needs) so that I can effectively teach them.
- Learn more about classroom management plans and lesson and unit planning from my CT.
- Thoroughly prepare for the unit that I will teach.
- Reflect upon my teaching strengths and weaknesses.
- Maintain a professional appearance/attitude.
- Give my students my very best every day because they deserve it and they're worth it!
I am eager to get this placement going so that I can meet my CT and my students!
