Final Post

It is hard to say what I gained most from the student teaching experience. I feel like I have learned so much from the experience in terms of classroom management, dealing with students and working with others. In terms of classroom management, I learned how to juggle many things at one time. Sometimes it can seem overwhelming when there are a million questions being flung at you at one time. I gained the patience and resolve to work through the questions till they are all answered. I have also gained the insight into working with students. Most importantly, feeling comfortable saying no and asking students to keep working on their projects when they think they are done. Keeping all of these other things in mind the thing I gained the most would be confidence. All of the time spent in the classroom reassured me that I choose the right profession and that I can be a confident and capable teacher. I can now enter a job feeling like I’m prepared for the challenge ahead.
The student teaching experience exceeded my expectations. I feel like I was lucky two have two great cooperating teachers who I could go for support and ask questions. I did not expect that I would build such strong relationships with the students and miss them so much when it was time to leave. This has by far been the most enjoyable semester in college for me and I’m pleased that my experience turned out to be so great.

Professional Qualities of My Future Job

Ideal Qualities of My Future Job:
Supportive staff
A mentor who can provide me with sound advice and encouragement
The chance to meet with other first year teachers
Encouragement to seek additional schooling
A strong art department where ideas can be shared

I would like to be at a school where the environment is collaborative and the teachers socialize both professionally and personally. I have found that this builds a community in the school and it allows you to feel comfortable asking questions and for help. I would also like the ability to communicate with other first year teachers and art teachers who share similarities in experiences. I have enjoyed the ability to communicate with classmates during student teaching and would hope to have a similar experience in the district I join. Finally, I would like to be encouraged to seek further educational possibilities for myself. Continuing my education is important to me and I would like to feel supported in that decision.

Successful Teacher

I believe that a successful teacher is primarily a matter of hard work and dedication to the students and ones subject area. If you put a lot to time into getting to know the students and listening to their interests you are more likely to create content that is interesting and engaging for them. If they see that you are willing to put in the work and that you are always prepared it gives them more incentive to participate and be ready to learn. I also think that if work hard at designing and planning lessons you are more likely to be successful at reaching the students. For example, by completing the project yourself first you can get an idea of where students may have problems and look for solutions. I also think that a well developed and delivered lesson is easier for the students to understand and for them to complete. I know that I will make many mistakes along the way as I learn to be a successful teacher, however, I believe that if I work on fixing those areas where I'm lacking I can improve myself. Though the work may be hard the reward of a successful project is well worth the trouble.

April 12th Post

During my first year of teaching I foresee that I will need a lot of support from the rest of the staff. I believe I will need support in learning the ropes of the school, like who to ask to get things done. I will also need advice on how to run my classroom and how to deal with students. I have no doubt that there will be many instances in which I will need to ask for help from others. I expect help to come from my building principal, my mentor, other teachers in the building, and other art teachers in the district. During student teaching I have enjoyed working in a collaborative environment with my cooperating teachers and hope that in my first position as a teacher, I will have someone that I can share my ideas with in a similar manner.

Standard J

To enhance my teaching I have used technology in a variety of ways. For elementary I used power point presentations to provide the students with information about artists and their work. For secondary education I have created a digital photography assignment that requires the use of a digital camera and Adobe software. My students will also be creating a podcast to explain their work for another assignment. Finally, all classes are using Google docs to turn assignments into me. In the future, I hope to integrate more technology in my class. There are numerous resources to enhance the learning environment and make learning more fun. In order to integrate more technology in my classroom, it would be helpful to have a smart board or projection system. There are also programs that the district could provide that would be beneficial to my ability to teach the students and to prepare them for their future.

Standard D

Critical thinking and problem solving are integral in the art classroom. Students are given basic directions on how to complete a project and the rest is up to them to decide. This freedom allows students to come up with their own ideas and work through problems that may arise. Since their artwork is unique to them, the problems they encounter must be solved by them. Art in the upper grades provides opportunities to problem solve with new materials and deal with feedback. In order to be an artist one must be able to take advice and criticism and use it to solve the problems they are having with their work. I think the best way to support critical thinking in the classroom is to provide assignments that challenge the students to think on their own. These projects have no right answer and they allow students to move beyond black and white thinking. I also think it is important to ask students questions to get them thinking about the choices they make with the art they create. As an art teacher it is important to push students to improve their work in terms of quality and the ideas that they have.

Standard H

I see professional development as playing a large role in my future career as an educator. I want to always be learning new techniques and information that will be valuable instructing my students better. An important part of this will be keeping up with the new technology that is available both inside and outside the classroom. As this new technology becomes available it is important to know how to use it and how it can improve one’s ability to reach students. In addition to technology, the art world is also constantly changing and as an instructor it is important to keep up on what is happening. As for my own education, in the future I hope to pursue a master’s degree in art education and possibly even a PHD. I believe that it is important for a teacher to remain enthused about their subject and professional development is the key to achieving this goal.