Observational Practicums
As we are about to start our second round of practicums this new year, I couldn’t help but reflect on our first round of observational practicums. Although, as someone who has worked in many schools, it was strange to act as a fly on the wall in a classroom, I often caught myself wanting to jump in to help a kindergartener cut their shapes, but I knew I was just there to watch. That being said, I did enjoy it. Being able to stop, watch and write felt therapeutic as I just got to take it all in. I was lucky that each school I visited was different; each had a unique way of doing things and a unique community. I also felt that what made my first observational practicum so incredible was that my peers, Narius and Brenna, were just as excited as I was. There is something so energizing about working with like-minded individuals. Yes, we all took plenty of our notes, but we also made an effort to debrief together after each visit to share and compare our observations.
It blew my mind that the nine weeks went by as quickly as they did. It was also shocking how much we learned just being guests in each school. Teaching is a demanding career but each teacher we met shared the same motivation and love for their job. Our first school, Suwilaawks, showed me the power of community and what outstanding leadership can do for school morale. Next, Veritas Catholic School showcased the lengths that parental involvement can go and how parents are just as important to the school as the teachers are. Finally, Cassie Hall Elementary showed me that not all teachers are technology fans; this one shocked me the most. However, each school had teachers who were there because they loved what they were doing and knew they were making a difference in each of their students’ lives. That is what was the most inspiring and meaningful to me.
This first practicum block helped me see into teachers’ “not so secret.” I got to write down all their secrets, advice, and wisdom. Admittedly my observational journal is now one of my most prized possessions. During those nine weeks, I got to experience what makes every teacher different. I got to take what I liked the most from each class in hopes of adopting it into my classroom one day.
