"Describe, briefly, one strong conviction about teaching that you brought to the classroom that has changed considerably during this time. What changed, and why is this a sign of personal growth?"
One of my strongest teaching convictions is to be a nurturing and supportive mentor to students. I came into this internship with a high degree of experience working in the primary grades; I was well aware that my teaching style may need to be adjusted to best suit the needs of fourth graders. Although I still hold onto this conviction, the way I live it out as a teacher is evolving for all grades.
In the past I tended to bend the rules for students. I would give multiple reminders of the expectations and not follow through with the natural consequences of failing to abide by them. My CT is extremely nurturing and supportive to students, and yet she also encourages them to be self-dependent. My ideal of a nurturing and supportive teacher now encompasses tough love. If I want to encourage students to be self-dependent, I need to see how my reminders and bending of the rules prevents them from taking the reigns.
This evolution is a huge sign of personal growth. Although it still bums me out when students forget to put a proper heading on their paper and lose points, or leave their completed homework at home, I know that these are opportunities for them to learn and be more prepared for next time. Ultimately, the fourth graders have an incredible amount of respect for my CT - I too hope to give support and receive respect from my students.
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Alyssa, It seems like you are already learning so much from your internship! I really like your comments here, these are such great things to be picking up on from your CT. Your students are really lucky to have you, you seem to be so passionate in your position and so caring of your students. Tough love may seem like a hard thing to do, but I think your students will thank you later on for teaching them essential life lessons..like responsibility. Best of luck this year!
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