I've decided to start my blog back up to help me reflect on my student teaching experience and hopefully build some communication with other student teachers! I started my first 8-week placement in a first grade classroom at a rather well off school district in the St. Louis area. I was informed that the school district I am working in is a pretty expensive district to live in. The particular school I am in is one of five schools in all of Missouri which require parents to pay for full time kindergarten.
My Co-op teacher is quite amazing. She has been teaching first grade for over twenty years! I am soaking up her skills like a sponge. She and I have made quite a few changes to the plans that the University of Northern Iowa wanted me to follow. For example, they would like the first 2-3 weeks to be just observing, we both agreed that was a lot of time to waste so I will begin doing small tasks, such as read alouds, starting tomorrow!
We have a rather large class for first grade, 21 students, 13 girls and 8 boys! I am very excited to work with these students. We have no IEP's and no ELL's which is something I was surprised about.
When I mentioned that the school was well off, I was pertaining to the amount of technology, materials, and aides that the school is given. I will be spoiled during my semester here, and I really hope to someday see these types of advances in all school districts. Although sadly I feel I will not see that day. The biggest fear I have during my student teaching experience is finding a job afterwards. It seems there are not many jobs in this area, however I will not give up for my dream to become an educator. Patience Patience Patience!
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