Back to Middle School

This week I started my fieldwork at a middle school in Stockton. There is a requirement for my education program at University of the Pacific that I must put in so many hours observing a classroom, and this semester I will eventually have to record my own lesson. I did something similar to this last semester, but it was for English CP 12 at a high school. Very different settings.

I chose to observe a middle school classroom because I have decided last semester that I want that to be my focus when I get my credential. Working with my team of middle schoolers at Changeist, I have decided THIS is my age group to work with.

My Cooperating Teacher (CT) is in her mid-twenties. She is spunky, has a bunch of strings of lights hanging around her classroom, and there are a lot of posters on the walls- some to help her students with their writing, and others that are political and low-key callout the education system. On the second day I was in her class, a student said that they left their homework at home. An age old trick. She then asked the student if she could check their backpack. They said no. Then, next thing I know, my CT pulls out a crumbled unfinished paper from the bag, and screams "AH-HA! I FOUND IT!" Instead of shaming the student for not finishing their work, she tells the student to not lie next time and gives them time to finish their work.

My personal experiences in the classroom this past week have been... insightful. The same students who yell insults at me are the same ones coming up to me after class and thanking me for being there and asking when I'll be back. If there is one thing I've learned, to be around middle schoolers takes quick-wit to talk with them, but not harsh-wit because that will make them cry. I think one of my favorite quotes from the students this week was, "Miss Malone, your backpack is REALLY cool, but you're REALLY tall." What the two have to do with each other, I have no clue. Another one was, "Miss Malone, your hair looks like ___'s diarrhea" to which I responded, "Why are you looking at his diarrhea?" This response led to the student's group yelling "WOOOAHHHHH."

I'll try to get some pictures of my CT's classroom this week to show y'all the experience that it is. I am truly excited to be in her classroom for the rest of the semester. I have a lot to learn from her. Her students are able to goof around, but also highly respect her at the same time. She's also a resource to them, they're comfortable with confiding in her. She's definitely giving me some good mentor vibes as I enter my teaching journey.

Until next time,

Liz

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