Student teaching this past week was not a very good experience for me. The county I am in is facing a $41 million deficit. So last week they laid off dozens of teachers for the next school year including two of the four business education teachers. One of the teachers has 10 years experience with the county and was laid off in favor of another teacher who has eight years but is also a coach. Teachers were called into the principal's office and then sometimes would come out crying or very angry. Several teachers said to me "Are you sure you want to do this? All in all, not a very positive environment to be in. In addition, it seems that my chances of getting a job next year are about nil.
On the plus side my host teacher is very nice. The classroom I am in has computers at every desk so one of the big problems is keeping students from surfing the net or playing computer games. The type of classes that are taught in here require the teacher to be more of a facilitator. Direct lessons are short and not every day. Students are required to use their computers to complete lessons on their computer and using the textbook. The teacher then makes her way around the room answering questions or helping students one-on-one who are having problems. I like the environment and feel very comfortable in the class.
I am still enjoying Readicide. I intend to keep this book as a reference when I have my own class. The author has some great ideas for strategies that we can use in our classrooms to increase students' reading comprehension. I like the way he presents the book, telling stories about experiments he has tried in his classroom and how they worked out. Whenever he talks about reading, an example "the reading flow", I can completely relate. I am love to read just about anything I can get my hands on and feel a sense of devastation that so many students never get to know how that "reading flow" feels. I sincerely hope that no matter what class I eventually teach, that I can bring more students to enjoy reading and increase their reading comprehension, than if they had never been in my class.
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Sounds like the climate around the school was very disheartening, Gina. Hang in there and take one day at a time. I am glad that your placement is a positive place. Sounds like the individual atmosphere lends itself to a great deal of active learning on the part of students - even though it may not all be in the direction you set. What are you thinking about including reading in the structure that has been established in your classroom? I'm glad Readicide is proving helpful. I think it is an important guide for new teachers to give hope in confronting some of the demands that will be placed on you. Look forward to hearing more on Monday afternoon!
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