YOU GUYS!
I did it! I completed my first day of school on “the other side” today. It was an incredibly rewarding and enriching experience.
I started my day bright and early, arriving at Mount Vernon at 7:30AM. Now, this is a jolt to the ol’ body clock, which has been operating on a primarily 9AM start time for the past four years. This, my friends, is something that I will need to get used to.
I was greeted with hugs and smiles from the faculty, and immediately upon entering the Middle School building, I was “put to work.” I was to watch over a class of ten or so girls, who make up the MS Chorus. Now, here’s the thing– the girls were jazzed from #1- their break post- snowpocolpyse, and #2- the fact that, yes ladies, Bruno Mars performed at last night’s Super Bowl. So, yes, they were well behaved, endearing, and polite, but I was perplexed as to whether or not I was commanding enough authority over the room.
This brings me to one of my first issues I’d like to learn as a teacher. How much noise is too much noise? What is/is not appropriate behavior? I think Marie said it best today, when she told me,
“There is always going to be a certain amount of noise in a Middle School classroom. At times it can be frustrating, but it is a fact of life.”
Her saying that nailed it in for me. I think what I gathered is that the noise and appropriate behavior factors are something that I as a teacher will learn with time. It’s like having a ear for music. In time, I will know what is the right noise level and behaviors entail. I don’t chastise myself for not being more firm with the ladies this morning, but rather it was a great learning experience for me. I was the adult in the room, and they were not doing anything “wrong” by social standards. As I said, they were kind, sweet, and well behaved. Just infatuated with Sir. Bruno 🙂
My morning was spent glued to Marie’s hip (what a saint she is!) in the teachers’ workroom as we discussed some activities for the days and other odds and ends about Mount Vernon. I’m grateful for her constant candor with me and know that she is the best resource I could have ever asked for. She helped me organize my binder, which, as I look at it now, I see that I should beautify in some way! After spending some time in the workroom and meeting a constant stream of new faces, Marie and I headed to our first period.
Today, Marie taught two classes, literature and freedom. Her classes were, to me, the most valuable part of my day. I so enjoyed the students– their personalities, their innate intelligence, and, because this is a thing with me, I was beyond impressed by their manners. Staying on the topic of manners, something else Marie told me that resonated was,
“Always say please and thank you to the students. If you set a good example, they will likely follow. It sets a good example, and it’s just polite.”
If my mother is reading this, she knows how strong of an emphasis was placed on manners when I was growing up, so she knows why this would echo with my being. Overall, though, it is so beyond important to teach each student with respect, and that is something that I see Marie do constantly. It makes such a difference.
Another observation I had on the same line as respect was the way Marie validated many students’ answers to her questions. For example, she would say, “Yes, Madeline, very good, and I really liked the way you worded that response! Very clear, thank you!” This stuck with me because I can remember the multiple occasions even at a college level when I would raise my hand, aching to grace the class with my brilliance, and when I responded to the question, the teacher would merely glide over me and onto the next student, and so on and so forth. Eventually, it’s demotivating as a student. While I can remember this in college, I was a “big girl” and didn’t get my feelings hurt, but I believe that each person, especially when struggling with the woes and gawkiness of middle school, deserves a compliment here and there. No one has received a compliment they didn’t wish to hear. I plan to emulate Marie in this practice when I become a full-time teacher.
Last observation I will touch on was Marie’ use of levels in the classroom. Frankly, it reminded me of my days in theatre at Woodward Academy, when our drama teacher was constantly telling us to use the space around us. Go upstage, go downstage. Kneel. Marie did all of these, and I find that it serves multiple purposes. First of all, as this is a 21st century classroom, kids have laptops in front of them, oftentimes open. As Marie circulates at random, it clearly would discourage any student from doing anything not related to the class at hand. Additionally, it makes the classroom more dynamic and the students are more engaged and less likely to zone out. Lastly, Marie kneeled next to a student today who was responding to a question, and it created a very real conversation for the two of them, as Marie was now at the student’s individual eye-level. Marie was completely engaged with what the child was saying, and it showed empathy on Marie’s part and you can see how the relationship is built in the classroom. It reminded me, in part, to this video on design thinking in a classroom concept.
Overall, today was incredible. I am left exhausted from the new schedule and drained from the mental stimulation and excitement, but I am wired with enthusiasm and happiness. I cannot wait to come back in tomorrow and have a whole new experience. What a journey this will be!
Me and Marie, from 2001 to 2014…and we look the EXACT same, right?! 🙂
All the best,
Elizabeth
My Life's Lesson Plan 