- Identify characteristics of high and low self-esteem and the impact on student achievement
- “I don’t know how to do this” working through problems with them
- Explain personal characteristics, abilities, knowledge, and skills needed to work in education careers
- Which systems are most effective? How are they effective?
- The most effective systems for learning I saw were in the Montessori and PEAK classrooms. The organization and strict guidelines they have creates structured learning environments. Each student has clearly defined goals, but it’s up to them to work towards them. Teachers act as guide rather than drill instructors, teaching students personal skills in addition to classroom knowledge. In Montessori, the teacher gave the student a demo, and then left them on their own to work on their project. In PEAK, the teachers give instructions for tasks and then release the students to research and work on their own. In both classrooms, a strict set of expectations and guidelines are in place, so students know exactly what their teachers expect from them. The students are motivated, because they have choices in what they’re learning. This interest forms a deeper bond with the subject they’re learning, meaning students actually retain the information. Both schools also place an emphasis on learning practical information. Montessori uses the 5 subject rotation system (social studies, language, science/ spatial, life skills, and math) to ensure their students’ education is well rounded and meaningful. PEAK has students delve into topics with a laser point focus, so they become true “experts” on the subject. While this may seem random or useless, this furthers their personal knowledge by allowing them to practice the skills they will need as students. PEAK allows students to apply the learning they have worked so hard to achieve. The skills students learn in PEAK train them to be logical thinkers and problem solvers later on in middle school, high school, and college.
- Which system were the least effective? What made them so?
- The classrooms where I saw little to no learning occurring were in Epic Elementary and Pathway Academy. While one school is prestigious, and the other less so, both lacked classroom structure. Both schools overwhelmed me just sitting and observing the chaos that are these poor students learning environments. The idea of Epic is a romantic one; students learning at their own pace, using their creativity to explore learning unhindered. However, there is too much freedom. These students are still children, and all children need rules. Too many students were doing too many things at once. Instead of a cohesive classroom, the gigantic space quickly turned into a circus. With fifty students in a classroom, two teachers just isn’t enough. Students appear either void of all emotion, sitting blank faced in front of their ipads, or crazed, running from one area to the next. This shows the two responses children have to lack of supervision: quietly shying away when confronted with choices, or turning manic from being overwhelmed. While Epic claims impressive test scores, their students are not a truly representative sample. The addition of certain criteria, like the mandatory parent volunteers hours, and required self provided transportation to and from school, greatly limits a large portion of students from attending. Epic’s idea of “gifted for all” is a flawed one. Indeed, much of their curriculum is suspiciously close to PEAK curriculum. Gifted students are not gifted in the sense that they extraordinarily smart; rather, their mind is actually wired a different way than the average student’s. Their don’t think smarter, necessarily, just differently. This is why the testing to be admitted to the PEAK program is so rigorous. No matter how intelligent you are, if you don’t think like a gifted kid, you will not succeed in PEAK. Gifted is not for everyone. Not everyone is built to learn the way gifted kids do, yet Epic is forcing kids to do just that. Epic is trying too hard to push the envelope, with the adjustable learning spaces, and overused abundance of technology. They don’t even have a library, instead choosing to have their students use online resources. Epic loses sight of teaching in their quest for the next level of learning. Pathway shares Epic’s lack of structure. Students terrorize their teachers, and the teachers terrorize their students. This vicious cycle circle around, destroying student- teacher relationships that are essential to learning well. Teachers spend most of their day doing behavioral redirection, constantly trying to keep the peace in the classroom. This leaves very little instructional time, which causes student learning to suffer. Classrooms lack clear expectations of both the students and the teachers, leaving every to struggle through their supposed duties. Even when students understand what they are supposed to be doing, they lack the motivation to try. Students simply aren’t invested in their learning, because they’re struggling to survive in the chaotic classroom environment.
- The classroom where I saw very minimal amounts of learning occurring was the traditional 3rd grade classroom. While the teachers were very engaged with their students, the students were not nearly as invested. They obviously couldn’t find the purpose in the activities they were doing, and therefore didn’t put any effort into them. I believe self assessment could help a lot with this. If the students had a view of the bigger picture, they might be more motivated.
- Which system would work best for you as a learner? As a teacher?
- If I had to choose the learning environment where I felt the most comfortable learning it, I would easily pick the Early Childhood Center. The teachers there are invested in their students. Every detail of the building shows the thought and consideration they give their students, from floor level windows to posters with kind words on the walls. The students that attend there are cherished, and have a connection with their teachers. However, if I had to choose the learning environment where I feel I would the most, I would choose Montessori. High school is similar to it, in some ways. Instead of stations, we have classes, each one dedicated to a different subject of learning. We start by learning basic concepts demonstrated by the teacher. We then go home and practice problems ourselves. However, high school is missing the fun “game” factor Montessori has. While I realize we aren’t three years old, we are still children. I learn better when I enjoy what I’m learning. Learning doesn’t have to be hard to be good! I sometimes learn the most when I don’t even realize I’m doing it.
- As as a teacher, I feel like could succeed almost anywhere. I could see myself doing well in the Early Childhood Center. I like getting to know shy students, and watching them open up as I gain their trust. There’s never a better or scarier feeling than having a child choose you as their friend; it’s a responsibility and a blessing. I know I excel in a PEAK environment, and the same would probably hold true in a Montessori. My organized personality meshed well with their curriculum. I can even imagine working at a charter school like Pathway. While it would not be the most comfortable teaching environment for me, I feel like I could use my skills in a different way there. Their students are starved for positive attention. I would create a positive, kind, organized classroom where students feel safe and motivated to learn.
- What surprised you most as you observed the different educational settings?
- What surprised me the most was the direct effect a teacher has on his or her students. I shadowed my PEAK students both with Mrs. Foust and back in their regular classroom, and the level of their learning showed a very sharp decline in their home class versus their gifted class. Teachers have the ability to bring our the best, and the worst, of their students. In Epic, students were overwhelmed and unproductive because their teachers failed to give them adequate support. In my high school classrooms, most students were disengaged because the teacher didn’t care whether they were learning or not. In the PEAK classrooms, students were excited and engaged because the teachers were too. In the Early Childhood Center, the kindness of the teachers inspired the students. In Montessori, the polite, respectful manner of the teacher was reflected in the students. In Pathway, the defensive and antagonistic nature of the teachers created a dysfunctional classroom. The quality of the teacher’s relationship with their students directly related to the quality of education the child received.
- Explain the teaching profession
- Interview teachers, vs personal write up (what you’ve seen)
- Identify the rewards and challenges of teaching
- Good day/ bad day in class
- Recognize how schedules, activities, routines and transitions promote learning in an effective classroom
- Personal write up
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