Week 3 As the Intern - New Job, New Tools

As educators, we are responsible for effectively assessing our student's knowledge. What are those assessments supposed to look like?

Gardner's 8 Intelligences

During my studies at the Pennsylvania State University, I learned that intelligence can be exhibited in 8 different categories. These categories being spatial, linguistic-verbal, intrapersonal, interpersonal, musical, logical-mathematical, naturalistic, and bodily-kinesthetic.

Gardner's Multiple Intelligences
(source: WordSmart App)

Hypothetically this means there are 8 different categories to consider when assessing knowledge. 

Does this mean that perhaps a student that performs poorly on a written test could sing, dance, paint, discuss, compute, or grow the information? 

This week I will be testing this theory as I use different strategies to check for student understanding of knowledge. My hope is that I find an increase in positive performance indicators (aka grades). 

Variability, Enthusiasm, and the Opportunity to Learn

Another theory I learned at Penn State was that effective educators will exhibit the following 5 things:

1. Business Like Behavior
2. Opportunities to Learn
3. Enthusiasm
4. Clarity 
5. Variability

I believe that offering variable forms of assessment will be enthusiastic and provide all students an opportunity to learn.

With That Being Said

Incorporating various forms of assessment in my classes should be fruitful as it is backed by years of knowledge. Stay tuned to hear about the new tools, or form of assessments I develop this week!

Week 2 As the Intern - Teaching Fits Like a Hand-Me-Down Suit

 Teaching Fits Like a Hand-Me-Down Suit

Made for someone else but somehow fits well on me?

This past week I began managing classrooms and instruction in three classes at Big Spring High School with Mrs. Sherisa Nailor and Mrs. Sarabeth Fulton. 

Food Science

Rightfully so, the first class I officially taught was about Food Security and hunger. In an effort to gather student knowledge and rapport, we engaged in conversation about hunger, government subsidies, Farm Bill legislation, USDA funded nutrition programs, and USDA funded farm programs. 

The class is ideal because in addition to an excellent group of learners, these students have formed a classroom culture of their own. 

Basic Leadership

I'm proud of the success I found with this class. We have been exploring what leadership means to us while also discovering transferable skills needed in the workforce. On the first day I provided my resume to provide an interest approach for the class curriculum and introduce myself to them. I did this because my pedagogical knowledge offers that learners learn best when they build a relationship with the instructor and those around them. 

Next up is discovering their "Why" statement and then building relationships with the people we lead. I'm hoping to grow as a leader by engaging with this class.

Equine Science 

This class could have eaten me alive but spared my novice teaching. I engage in a quick class exchange which keeps me sharp as I must write a bell work the day prior to the lesson. It's sort of a bell work for the students and myself. We've started with the horses which was smashing. We have learned the history of the modern day horse, the scientific name for the horse, how horses has evolved over the past 65 million years, and that you can say ass in class without sass. 

We're diving into learning discussion skills as we question the ethical nature of horse racing in Pennsylvania. I'm grateful for what I am learning in this class.

Overall

Overall, I feel the first week went well. Stakeholder reports are indicating that I am aging as the week goes on so I am going to take it lighter this week and let the good times roll because I believe my students are going to grow, as I do, in this Blue Hand-Me-Down suit.

Week 1 As the Intern - Student Teaching at Big Spring High School

 "You Got to Start Somewhere"

This week was my first as a student teaching intern at the Big Spring High School in Newville, PA. Relocating for this experience has been a thrill as I have a newly refurbished apartment and a new work setting for the next 14 weeks. I'm excited to get my feet wet in the classroom, but I've noticed that I've got some work to do!

The first week of student teaching is composed of observation which means I'm watching master educators Sherisa Nailor and Sarabeth Fulton manage their classes. To be honest, I found this to be pretty boring at first but then I realized that I must take advantage of this time if I want to be prepared for my first day behind the wheel. 

This work consists of creating class syllabi, parent letters, setting up google classroom, creating presentations, and applying for financial assistance. All of which are the beginning to my real work as an educator starting this upcoming Tuesday. 

I guess that means if you're bored while student teaching, you're probably not doing it right. So here I am at square one because just like my momma says "you got to start somewhere".