What are your plans for completing the field work? What age groups will you be observing? Why are you interested in learning more about these age groups? What are your expectations for field work?
I am always excited at the opportunity to get hands on experience because of how much of a perfectionist I am. I forget that it's a journey, and that when I do eventually get a teacher role, I need to be okay with not being perfect on Day 1-- it makes it easier to remember that it's a journey and that to make decisions purposefully and with intentions is the goal, not everyone does things the same way. Even though this is only 20 hours (a class I took last semester required 75, so this is far less!), I am excited to observe in a public school. I did my hours at Avenues and while I truly do love the kids and do hope to land in a private school setting, I think it's important to observe a public school classroom. I am also in the process of potentially transitioning from the bilingual extension degree to the gen ed. stream and thus far, I have only observed bilingual classrooms, so I am curious to see how teachers handle diversity in a setting that may or may not value ELLs.
I am lucky enough as my day job is still part time and understanding of my situation, allowing me flexibility. Because of that, I hope to spread my 20 hours across all three age groups and really getting to see the differences in their development levels. I think it's always easier to remember what I am learning when I can see it in action, it's more applicable, in that sense, I am sometimes envious of my peers that do have f/t teaching roles as they can immediate apply what they are learning. Having said that, I am a blank slate and sometimes it's easier to effect change when you can mold someone from the get go. Either way, field work is always a great opportunity to see theories learned applied in the classroom.
