Today offered a challenge that I have been eagerly anticipating. My CT let me know, in advance, that he would be gone for a few days and would have a substitute teacher. After looking over his plans, I decided this would be my opportunity to take the wheel. After all, I have worked as a subsitute teacher before and know the drill pretty well. I went into the classroom expecting things to run smooth like butter. Apparently, this 7th grade class forgot to send me the memo that even though they are fantastic for my CT, they had planned an uprising for today!
It did not help that I got stuck talking in the office and the students beat me to the classroom. As I entered the classroom, a minute or two after the bell, my first clue should have been the scrambled seating arrangement. Why are there 6 students sitting at the table that was unoccupied just yesterday? And, for some reason, the students are not sitting in their assigned seats.
After taking a second look, I managed to get the students to slink back to their assigned seats and began to talk about what we had planned for the day. Group work....yeah! Now usually, my CT does not plan for group work when he has a sub, but, he must have had a lot of confidence in the para and myself because today the students were finishing their group posters about plot.
To make a long story short, I had to put out a lot of small fires which seemed to make the class feel much more chaotic than usual. My classroom management skills were put to the test today and I think I could have done much better! Even though the substitute teacher, a retired teacher with twenty years of experience, told me I did a good job, I was disappointed because I had expected more of myself. This thought reminds me of something one of our classmates said about realizing that we are still in training and may make a few mistakes. I suppose I can accept that.
After discussing my reflection with my other CT, I am determined to begin class differently tomorrow. I plan to greet the students at the door and let them know the expectations from the get go. Hopefully, I have learned from my mistakes today and tomorrow will be smooth as butter, or at least a creamy consistency!
I'll be sure to let you know....until tomorrow
Mrs. Best,
ReplyDeleteThe thought of middle school students is enough to send most folks running for the hills. You are not most folks. :) The fact that you have chosen to major in a field that makes most people shudder proves how tough you are and how dedicated you are. Remember that we tend to be our own greatest critics. I think that you are very professional and very capable. I bet you were awesome under fire. It can be so hard to maintain confidence when you feel like a mutiny is underway. I know because I have been there and I too felt frustrated and unsure. Think of the experience as a powerful learning opportunity. You learned how you respond under pressure and you figured out your strengths and your weaknesses. I know that these are things that you will use to further your professional development. Don't worry, lady. You got this! You are going to be a phenomenal teacher.
Thank you so much for the words of encouragement, Ms. Spears! Since that day, I've had some pretty good days with these students. My CT returns from his vacation tomorrow and the students are excited because even though we managed, four days with a substitute teacher can really shake up the routine!
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