Educators contribute to the profession.
Starting my 391 Practicum, I was slightly nervous. I was nervous to start this practicum and nervous about meeting my coaching teacher for the first time. Like in teaching, we often have to adapt to situations on the spot. This was the case for me. Personally, my practicum journey started in uncertainty. However, this uncertainty led me to the most wonderful coaching teacher. Not only did this teacher agreed to take me under her wing with four days’ notice, but she also changed my educational journey. Mrs. Der is one of those teachers who you never forget. After emailing back and forth with her over the weekend before starting, I immediately felt a sense of calm and comfort that she would support me. Her teaching style and classroom reflect a feeling of safety, community, and care. On my first day in her classroom, she opened her arms, heart, and every resource imaginable to me. Each day she presented me with new resources, opportunities to try new ideas, and she constantly challenged me. She pushed me out of my comfort zone and made me develop new and innovative ways to make learning fun. Mrs. Der often expressed her excitement about that having a teacher candidate in her class as it “kept her on her toes.” Selfishly that made me feel great. She made me feel safe and appreciated. That overwhelming sense of gratitude and dedication to her profession was evident. It was even more evident that this career was for her, she is a teacher who not only loves her job, but she loves the impact she has on her students.
These past three weeks flew by. It made me sad that I would no longer get to see her face when I walked into the classroom or listen to her yell at “Mr. Grammar” for his unconventional grammar rules. Mrs. Der is one of those teachers that I know I will never forget; she is also one of those teachers that I want to one day become. The word Thank You has come out of my mouth every day in her class, and I thought I had said it what felt like a thousand times. But, I feel that it isn’t enough. Reflecting on the BC Teacher Standards, I couldn’t help but think about Mrs. Der and how she has been an exemplary example of contributing to the profession. She educates her grade ones every day, and she has changed the life of this teacher candidate. She was more than a coach. She was a true mentor. I sincerely hope that one day I will get to repeat this cycle that Mrs. Der has created for me, I want to pay it forward and one day is half the mentor she was for me.