Final Reflection ...

Looking back on my 488 classroom experience, I feel as though I have really grown as a teacher. At the beginning of the semester, I envisioned my role as a teacher similar to that of a pitcher for a softball team. While I still believe that there are many reasons why this metaphor holds true, I have come to realize that my role as a teacher is far more complex. As a teacher, my position will be at the heart of the classroom. With each new student, I must assess their abilities and strengths to determine the most appropriate type of instruction. Similarly, I must be prepared for all types of students and the individual perspectives and experiences they will bring to the classroom. This process of differentiation is certainly not as easy as I thought it would be. In addition, as a teacher, I must be an effective leader in the classroom. However, I must remember that while the teacher must serve as the base, there must also be a strong relationship with the students. The teacher and students must work together to develop new ideas and make important classroom decisions. Finally, I realized that like a pitcher, I would be lost without the help of my coaches. I will certainly need the help of the school community (other teachers, the principle, etc) to be successful. Working with these first graders throughout the course of this past school year has certainly been a rewarding experience and I certainly feel more prepared to approach the challenges of being a teacher.