3.+Field+Base+Experience

Field Experience 1 “A Day in Mrs. Mitchell’s Dance Class”

I observed Mrs. Mitchell’s high school dance class several days in a row with the grades spanning from freshman to seniors. Right away I noticed the student’s differences from race, gender, and how each student interacted with one another and the special needs students in the class. I also watched to see how they responded to her as she taught and the process that she uses. Each student was completely different yet they still had large amount of similarities to each other. As the students came into the class, they immediately separated into their cliques. As the bell rang for class to begin, the teacher called out for everyone to go to their assigned seats. To my surprise this process took much longer than expected, the class full of girls was chatty and somewhat unruly. As moments passed, they slowly found their places. Role was called and they exited to the locker room to go change. As the students re-entered the gym the teacher called out for line up and to begin stretching. At this point you notice who is really here to learn about dance and who is just trying to get by. Some students paid attention and followed the routine of exercises to the music while others just flat out did nothing. As the class continued on the girls prepared for the test of a kick series they had been working on for weeks. They were given a few moments to go over their sequence, and then you could clearly see the student’s differences. You had student who were non-stop working, while others sat down to talk awhile. Some girls were applying makeup and others ran to the bathroom. Overall I was looking on at a typical high school class of girls expressing themselves in many different ways. The class was called back to perform for the test and amazingly each person knew what they were doing, but in their own style and way. I talked to the dance instructor after class asked her how she felt the class went. She stated, “Each girl is at a different place. I have a relaxed class due to this. I want them to express themselves in whatever way that is. Dance is an individual style and I just want that to shine through.” The class was full of many races Caucasian being the majority. Then you had Asian, Hispanic, African Americans, and Bi-racial students as well. It was a very refreshingly colorful class, and to top it off no one seemed to even pay attention to skin color. There was a one particular student in her class with special needs who had Tourette’s syndrome. I thought the system set in place was well planned and thought out. If needed be the individual would quietly go out and take time needed. No one noticed or even seemed to see the difference. Mrs. Mitchell was very kind and sensitive to the situation checking on the student if she felt the need. Dance in this students circumstance is also a since of therapy which is amazing and inspiring to me. No student had any special treatment over another. Every student was treated exactly the same with all having the same opportunities to ask questions, study, and re-test if necessary. Her patients with everyone, no matter how small or large of time each student required, truly taught me a great deal. She was there to give her knowledge to them through whatever method they needed to use to grasp the subject. The main difference I would integrate into my class is having the students pay more attention. In my opinion to learn you must give full focus and effort. As a teacher you are putting in a large amount of time by doing what you have to do for your students to learn and if they are not even willing to try, it is your responsibility to do something to engage them in the education process. Also I would need respect. It seems as if respect is being taught to the youth today. Respect and manners will get you a long way in life especially with education backing it up. It’s a two way street that everyone needs to learn to drive on.



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Teacher Interview

"Inside the Mind of Coach Anthony Thomas"



**//What degrees do you have? //** At 28 years old I attended Draughon Technical College located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. I received a certification in electronic technologies. Further in my life when I decided to change my career path I attend Southeastern Oklahoma University in Durant, Oklahoma where I obtained a Bachelors Degree in Physical education and specialized in social studies. **//Describe your journey into becoming a teacher? //** I started out in the field of technology. I thought it would bring me a substantial amount of income. When the field opportunities dried up, and I began to re-evaluate my career choice, I asked myself a question. Was it about money, or was it about my passion? Like the old saying goes, if you love what you do it is not work. Teaching and coaching is always were my heart has been. I have been blessed currently with a coaching and teaching position at Princeton ISD. **//Why did you choose to teach?//** I wanted to produce a new generation of thinkers. Critical thinking is something in my opinion younger generations lack. With so much information at their fingertips, they literally have the answer in seconds. They have lost the process of “How did I come to this solution”, and purely focusing on the correct answer. I want my student to not only know the answer, but how they obtained that outcome, and to know how to use several different methods to get the same outcome. The world we live in today desperately needs people who believe in how they got the answer, what the tactics were to achieve it, the strategies, and the cost that was paid to get there. **//What motivates you to teach?//** Teaching is my passion. At this point in my life, there’s nothing else I can see myself doing in my life. The intrinsic rewards exceed my wildest imagination. I used to coach my sons basketball team when he was younger. It was purely volunteer work. I would spend hours working on plays, and pushing the kids to bring out their best. I loved every minute of it. I love seeing kids dig deep down inside and defy all odds pressing against them, and seeing them do something they themselves didn’t believe was achievable in their own lives. Knowing you helped a child’s dream into a reality is my motivation. **//What was your worst teaching moment?//** One early morning practice, everything was going as scheduled; stretches, warm-ups, and then drills. My voice ringing off the walls “Run-harder, breathe, run-faster, breathe.” Basketballs were hitting the wooden gym floor, and then slapping a sweaty palm; pow-slap, pow-slap! Suddenly through all the controlled chaos, a loud boom cut through like a knife. Followed by a collected gasp, and silence, someone yelled “Coach!”... A student was down. I ran to his side, quickly realizing the player had a seizure. The teacher is always the one with the answer and me also being a coach I always had everything under control. At this moment I felt utterly helpless watching on as one of my players went through this. I took a deep breath disconnected myself from the situation and began to put into motion the policies that I had been taught. I stayed with him while someone got helped and another called 911. While I was by his side and concerned teammates circled around us, I expressed the graveness of the situation, and then told them to clean up and proceed to the next class. I reassured them that it would be ok and don’t worry. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The incident felt like ages but were actually seconds. Help finally arrived. The paramedics and the school nurse came to the rescue. The kid in the end turned out being fine after seeing a doctor and a day in the hospital. I will never forget that day. I realized how important it is to never show your emotions on your face even when your heart is shrinking. I’m so glad that everything developed okay and policies such as the ones I used that particular day were taught. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">**//What was your best teaching moment?//** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I cannot pin point one specific moment or event that sticks out to me, but more of a process that I have been so blessed to have the opportunity to experience. I enjoy inspiring the un-inspirable. When some students may feel as if they will just get through it, I will be that teacher who says, “NO! I expect more from you. I want nothing but above the best from you.” As we travel down that difficult journey I am able to witness them surpass that goal, and rekindle their confidence in themselves. The kids’ radiate a magnificent glow of self-worth that is indescribable. **//<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">What would you say was the biggest challenges were as a first year teacher? //** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">My biggest challenge was assuming that students already had a base knowledge. Not only this, but that every student learns and retains information the same. Learning is not just about teaching the pupil but having them retain the information. Applying it to the world around them is a major key in the learning process so the information is useful to them and not just something they have to do. Being prepared, organized, and to have a plan to execute how to incorporate all your students’ different learning styles will assist you in becoming a better teacher.

**//<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">What would you say your biggest challenges are today as a teacher? //** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">My biggest challenges are motivating the disinterested student. Often you will encounter a particular type of individual who everyone has given up on or also known as a pass along. In other words, let’s just get him through so he can become someone else’s problem. The consequence of this is the student feels he or she is just not good at academics, even though they more than likely are. At that point, the responsibility falls on the next teacher to put the drive and motivation in the student; to give the student the will to prove everyone wrong, and spark that flame and powerful force that academics can launch them into the heights of freedom from rejection and persecution. Education allows their works to speak louder than these things of negativity and fight to break those chains that bound the motivation. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">**//If you could give advice for an entry year teacher what would it be?//** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I would advise them to simply plan, organize and be prepared. Also get to know your class and know what works for them. Try to absorb as much as you can, and use improvisation. Every day presents a new challenge and a new adventure so be flexible. Learn to laugh and I can’t emphasize enough; BE PREPARED! <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">**//If you had it all to do over again what would you do different?//** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I would have started at 20 years old instead of 40. I just regret how much I could have achieved and how much stress I could have avoided by just starting a career I love. So much time was wasted and time doesn’t go back. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">**//Are you a Member of any teaching organization?//** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I am a member of Texas Classroom Teachers Association and Texas High School Coaches Association, which both protect me from lawsuits, and not being held liable for incidents that might occur. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">**//Describe the diversity of your students.//** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The majority of my students are Caucasian, 10% are Black and 30% are Hispanic. From my perspective the students have no knowledge of the color of each other’s skin. However in other schools I have worked in with minorities or economically challenged students, teachers expect less from this group. In reality, the melanoma in our skin does not determine our capacity to learn, nor does the amount of income a family brings in the home. Every student should have the equal opportunity to education without any stigmas from anyone, especially their instructor. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">**//What would you say are the biggest changes you have seen in your years of experiences in work with children and their families?//** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The expectation levels given by the parent to the child has drastically lowered. School has become somewhere for the child to go while the parent is working as if the teacher is a glorified babysitter. The parent doesn’t support the teacher in the education process; hence the child has no respect for the authority at school. The parent being involved with their children’s academics is so important on multiple levels. It holds a lot of the determination of whether the child will succeed or fail. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">**//How do you support the families you work with?//** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I like to get in contact with the parents early in the school year and keep this communication line open throughout the year. I always contact first with good information, that way if I do have to report any bad news the parent is more receptive. With this system I do get very positive feedback and cooperation in the home with the parents. Therefore, what we are enforcing in school is also being enforced in the home. Consistency is a major key when working with children.

**//<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">How do you feel the administrators have or have not supported you over the years? //** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">You do have good and bad administrators unfortunately. A supportive administrator is backing the teacher up in areas of discipline and problem solving. They will assist you with the tools needed to reach each individual student verses the ones who tend to blame the teacher for the problems of the school, student, and society. Authorities such as these are not problem solving, instead they point the finger and blame. It would probably be in their best interest to look for a new career. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">**//What do you think about congress trying to put more students into one classroom?//** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Larger classrooms would be a complete mistake. Today, we as teachers have issues giving each student the individual time necessary to get to know them and their learning styles. This action would create neglect in the school system. Not only would the school body as a whole suffer, but we will be producing a less lucrative society. The drop-out rate would soar and who knows what type of future that would create. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; height: 183.75pt; visibility: visible; width: 474.75pt;">