Reflection: Failure is Not an Option

This semester's field experience was especially meaningful for me, not just because it was my very last field experience, but because I found out that the 4th graders I was spending 3 weeks with will be MY 5th graders next year! I could not be more thrilled. The school where I am teaching next year (as an intern) is a dual language immersion school. Come fall, I will have TWO classes of spunky, smart 5th graders who will be looking to me to guide their learning for the year. I feel so blessed that I got to spend 3 weeks with them, getting to know their names and little tidbits about them.

Now that I have names and faces to put to my future students, all of the sudden, everything feels more real! I am already turning over their unique needs in my mind, trying to think of ways that I can meet those needs as a teacher. I have a few students with academic issues. I have a few more with behavioral challenges. I know that throughout the year, as I get to know them better, their individual needs will become even more apparent to me,

It feels a little overwhelming.

As I was reviewing my notes from my differentiation textbook reading, in preparation for continuing this blog, I came across a list of elements of teacher responses to student needs. The element that stood out to me is number 5, the response of reflection.

One thing that I discovered in field was that I LOVE having 2 classes. Why? Because it gives me a built-in opportunity to reflect on my teaching experiences. I would teach a lesson in the morning, and then, during lunch, I would discuss with my cooperating teacher what went well, what didn't go so well, and how I can make it even better for the afternoon class. Having 2 classes also gave me a chance to practice differentiating to meet student needs, because the classes each had their own unique challenges, both as a whole and for individual students. Although it takes some time and some honest self-evaluation, I know that reflecting on my teaching practice makes me a better teacher.

Recently, I was able to visit Washington, DC. In the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, I found a poster that I think is perfect for me as I move forward in my teaching career. Tomlinson even mentions the sentiment in her book: Failure is not an option. It just isn't. I hope that this poster serves as a reminder to me as a first year teacher to always be reflective and honest with myself so that I can meet my students' needs.