My Second Week

This is my second week of helping in Ms. Walker's third grade class.  I go there from 8:10 to 9:15 every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday morning.  At about 8:30 they change classes and they began their reading program SFA (Success For All).  This program allows children to be sorted into groups based on their reading levels, and not their grades.  The teacher can then work on one level with all of the children at one time.  This helps her to focus on what needs to be done to improve their reading skills.  I sit and listen while she reads to them for 20 minutes and help with the worksheets and vocabulary that follows.  It is a lot of fun, but just being there for an hour can get a little hectic.  I have heard so many times that you have to be flexible as a teacher, but I never really understood how flexible till now.

I have recently learned that even if you have a really bad week, you can't let your personal problems affect the way you work or teach.  It was hard for me not to get down on myself, but the kids in the class sometimes helped me to not feel as bad. 

Comments

[lani]

Hi Jan,

You are absolutely right! Flexibility is so important in the classroom, especially with elementary students. You certainly have learned right away how important a characteristic that is for a teacher.

As a matter of fact, it seems that in this first week, you've learned so much. You also found that once you are in the classroom, your own "concerns" usually move to the back burner so to speak. The kids (especially a group of third graders) have to come first.

I was wondering how you felt about teaching now that you have been there a short time? Are you enjoying your time there? Do you like being with the kids?

Best,
Lani

[Tincher]

Jan

I loved reading your comments about teachers having to be flexible. It really is true that you don't know how flexible until you are in the thick of things!

You're also right about how kids can lift your spirits! That is one reason that I am in education.

After what you have observed so far, can you see yourself do this every day?

Mrs. Tincher

[Susan Stamps]

I'm glad that you remember to be flexible! It is so important along with so many other characteristics a good teacher should have. Working with the younger students can be such a joy. They are lucky to have you. Keep up the good work!

[Jan1]

Thank you all so much for your encouragement and tips. I am enjoying it very much, and I would love to do this as a career in the future. I do realize, however, that one hour is a lot shorter than an entire school day. The kids are great and they show respect for their teacher at all times from what I have seen. This is a great group of third graders and I am very grateful for the experience I am getting from helping in the mornings. I am learning a lot of new methods for teaching, as well as reading programs that really do work.