Blog 8

Challenging

I have learned how to manage challenging learners. By challenging I mean two categories: 1. the school year is coming to an end, the weather is getting better and summer fever is in the air. Challenging in this capacity is across the board in every classroom. With this said, students are still productive but a bit more susceptible to distraction. 2. In every class there seems to be one student who thrives on building an audience for themselves. These learners may speak out at inappropriate times, are non-compliant, and can be disruptive in many ways.

In handling both scenarios I let students know the consequences of their actions. In some cases I used the 3 strikes = a detention method. In others I reminded the class that productivity was a part of their grade and wasted time in class = poor productivity. In one cases I spoke with the school counselor about repeated behavior from the same student. This student was exhibiting some very dark characteristics which suggested violence towards other classmates as well as himself. Out of all these  cases it is encouraging to know that I have been successful in continuing class productivity. At the same time, I also know that having my own classroom will be a tremendous advantage to issues such as these. Ever teacher has their own management plan which syncs with their personalities. These idiosyncrasies paired with a personal philosophy that go into a teachers behavior plan are intrinsic to a teachers success. When following another teachers foundation, as a student teacher, trying to adapt the participating teachers culture of that classroom can seem unnatural. This has been the case for me. I am however better off having experienced this differentiation.

I will miss my students which I am working with. I feel a strong bond with these classes and look forward to seeing them succeed in the future.

Some final things I need to finish to complete student teaching are: turn in student observation hours, turn in TPA project, complete a summer class, and begin weaning myself from the classroom as a primary instructor.

At this time there is nothing that I need nor any surprises to be expected for my college supervisor.