For the spring semester, I am
completing my field experience hours at Ludlam Elementary School. Ludlam
Elementary is located on 6639 SW 74 Street in South Miami. I am assigned to a first grade class. The school is public and provides educational
services to students in Pre-kindergarten through fifth grade where the students
are required to wear uniforms. The predominant ethnic group of students at
Ludlam Elementary School is Hispanic.
Upon my first visit, I was extremely
excited to meet my clincal teacher, her students and to find out exactly what makes
Ludlam Elementary School an “A” school. When I entered the front office, each
of the ladies working were on the phone and completely disregarded me as I asked
where to sign in. Nobody questioned who I was, if I needed help, or checked my
identification(s) which I find all extremely problematic and worrisome. When I finally
made it to my assigned classroom, the students were at lunch and she was eating
at her desk and talking to another college student who is also completing their
hours from, I believe, FIU. Right from the get-go, the teacher expresses to me, “Get
ready because these students are horrible.” It was then that I knew this was not going to
be the teacher I wanted to resemble as a future educator. It is evident that this teacher has lost all passion for teaching and is worn out.
I have many issues with the way in
which she “teaches,” the way her class is run and the way she speaks to
her students. So far, I have never seen the teacher do any fun activities with her
students, there is no display of student work in the class and there is no
classroom management whatsoever. Some of the students fear to ask her
certain questions like, “May I use the bathroom?” because she is good for
embarrassing them by hollering ‘No!’ for no apparent reason. This is extremely
ineffective because students are only allowed to use the in-class bathroom for “#1”
and can only use the outside hallway bathroom for anything else. So, since many
students are afraid to ask, they are unable to concentrate in class to complete
any work given.
My TAL 305 course has educated me
that, as a future teacher, to always help students know you are a caring person
who knows and understands them and can be trusted to provide a safe, supportive
environment. I think it is important to create a classroom climate in which
students experience support from their peers and teacher. Students should
always view their classroom as a “safe zone.”
Below, I have
found an amazing educational video illustrating a first grade class promoting
differentiated instruction, ways in which student voice can be elevated, and
student choice. I hope you all enjoy it!
As you correctly highlight, Ms. Zapata's intro to her "horrible" class is obviously indicative of her attitude and a great predictor of her ineffective teaching style. I have extremely slow internet access and have not been able to watch the video but I will tomorrow morning and then add another comment. But from what you mentioned, you give very poignant advice on the importance of validating students' voices and on the necessity of creating a safe learning environment.
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