Reflect on your work in your PDS this semester. How have you benefitted from the mentoring relationship you have with your mentor teacher? What actions have you taken to be sure that the mentoring relationship is beneficial to you both? When commenting on your partner's posting, reflect on your prompt and your partner's prompt, then discuss what you plan to do next semester to ensure that this mentoring relationship is successful.
My mentor relationship this semester has been a positive one. I have gained a lot, from teaching techniques to worksheets for the classroom. As a future teacher, I have become more confident in myself, and do not get as nervous in front of the classroom. My mentor has worked with me to design lessons that fit in with her curriculum, and has taught me to change up a lesson to need the demands of the students.
At first, I thought being in an inclusive classroom would be difficult. A little less than half the students in one of my classes have IEPs. I was afraid I was not going to be able to meet these students' needs, or even help them understand the lesson in general. Instead, this semester, I have had the opportunity to work closely with these students, tweaking lessons as I went along.
This semester, the students seemed to be grateful I was there, and often addressed me as a second teacher. Being in the classroom twice a week really does show the students that you ARE serious, and it becomes easier to gain respect as well as their attention.
During my experience, I have talked to my mentor teacher about incorporating different lessons. We discussed what works best for her classroom and why. I feel I offered new ideas, and she brought forth an insiders pass into an everyday classroom. Next semester, I will be with a different mentor; however I would still like to maintain the same communication line as this semester. I know that if I needed help or had questions, I could always contact my mentor from this semester.
Nicole,
ReplyDeleteGood communication is the key to an enriching mentoring experience. Collaborating with you mentor, seeking advice, and even having a post conference whenever you have taught a lesson are best ways of getting constructive feedback.
It sounds like you had a really good experience! I think it's great that you had the chance to work with so many students with disabilities in an inclusion class before you actually got out there on your own. I think everyone should have that experience because it really does help to learn how to change your lessons around to meet the needs of your students. I agree, it does help to be there more than once a week. The students get to know you better and can see that you are an additional source of help that they can talk to or go to if they need help. Good luck next semester! :)
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