Heading into Field Experience

What are your goals for the field experience you will begin next week? 

When thinking about my goals for my upcoming field experience, a few major ones come to mind. I think my biggest goal, or rather the one that is most general, is to absorb as much information as I am able to. Getting to be able to be in a classroom is such a gift, so my biggest hope is to just take it all in and ask as many questions as I can. My second major goal is to build relationships with those at my school. As one can probably imagine, I am most excited to build a relationship with my cooperating teacher and my students. I don’t, however, want this goal to end here. I would like to push myself to introduce myself to as many people in the school as possible, as I know meeting and hearing from different people will make even better use of my field experience. Lastly, I think an important goal for me is to just keep an open mind. I know there may be situations that are difficult or new to me, but I want to meet them with open arms as learning opportunities that will benefit me in the future.

Describe how you will combine your current knowledge and skills as an educator to “meet students where they are” while you are in your field experience?  

When thinking about all of the information I have learned over the past few years as an aspiring educator, no phrase stand out to me more than meet them where they are. I believe that to meet student where they are means meeting them both academically and emotionally. This means that I will use both the academic resources I have learned, in combination with the empathy and kindness I hold. I think to be a beneficial educator, learning cannot just be academic, but rather a combination of different aspects that come together to make a well-rounded student.

As you move into this new educational environment, what adaptive skill will you employ to help you navigate this opportunity?  

I think, above all else, I will be flexible. I will walk into uncertain situations or challenges with a sense of purpose, even if I am unsure at times. I think remembering to be adaptive which working in an educational setting is so important, as it is in this moments of chaos where I will find the best teaching moments. I also will use my ability to challenge myself and take on leadership roles that I usually may shy away or turn from. This is a perfect setting to make mistakes, so being open to new roles will also help me navigate this journey.