We’re Here Already?

I can’t believe it – the last week of school. I honestly did not think this year would go as fast as it did. I have been assigned to teach fourth grade next year, which means I am looping with two of my students, and the rest are beginner ELLs from three other classes, including two holdovers. About half of my students, many of whom began the year as beginner ELLs themselves, are now reading at grade level and (all but the aforementioned two) will move on to general ed classes. Of course, Teachers College’s assessment of them is LACKING. Even though only 12 out of 22 are reading at grade level, 21 of them met and then greatly exceeded their AYP (a year’s progress) goal in reading that had been set out for them but TC has no way to credit them or recognize them for this feat.

One of the things I looked forward to in becoming a classroom teacher (instead of a push-in) was the prospect of getting to know my students and really witness the progress they’d make, the struggles they’d meet, etc., but in looking back it’s really hard to see how we accomplished what we did and, especially, what I did “right”…. so it leaves me feeling amazed and what we achieved but unsure I could ever replicate :)

I do feel good, though, that I can know have more far-sightedness when coming in in September; a better sense of how things progress and how to plan out each month, supplement the crappy lesson plans and teaching points we get, etc. And hopefully that will translate into more confidence in myself.

I had two great compliments lately. One, my supervisor had told me that if I had said to her back in September where my students would be (in terms of their reading level and vocabulary), she would have told me I was crazy. Two, today a cluster teacher who works with my students and comes to my class for 37.5 told me, “you really have a lot of patience. You really have a lot more than you may realize.” This made me feel good because I hate when other teachers just write me off as “laid back” when I don’t see my style that way. I am strict, but there are certain behaviors I allow because I understand where they come from (like kids who can’t sit still or raise their hands before they have an answer ready b/c they suffer from language delay, etc)… My husband would certainly tell you it’s not because I am inherently a patient person! By far!

I really feel like a totally different teacher and I hope I keep learning and feeling optimistic about what I’m doing!

Please feel free to share your own reflections…